Dubai Working Age limit 2026 – Employment Rules, Juvenile Permits & Age Limits, Requirements

Quick Summary

Minimum Working Age: 18 years for standard employment (15-17 with juvenile permit)
Children Under 15: Absolute prohibition on employment
Senior Workers 60+: Can work with additional approvals and age-band fees

If you're an employer or job seeker trying to understand the age limit to work in Dubai, this guide covers everything from juvenile permits to senior worker rules.

What is the Minimum Age to Work in Dubai in 2026?

Quick Answer: The minimum legal age to work in Dubai is 15 years (with a Juvenile Work Permit), while the minimum age for a standard Dubai work visa is 18 years. Children under 15 cannot work, and full employment without restrictions begins at age 18.

Dubai Employment Age Rules for Workers in 2026

In summary, the working age limit in Dubai in 2026 runs from 15 to around 60–65 years. Under 15s cannot work, workers aged 15–17 can only work with Juvenile Work Permits, adults 18–60 follow standard work permit rules, and senior workers 60–65+ require additional approvals and age-band fees.

Dubai's employment framework in 2026 categorizes workers by age with specific regulations for each group:

Age Categories and Employment Status:

Important Notice: Employment age rules and fees are subject to change. All information below is current for 2026 and must be verified with UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or authorized visa providers before hiring.

Standard Employment for Workers Aged 18 and Above

Who Qualifies?

Workers aged 18 and above can be employed as standard employees under regular UAE labour law provisions. This applies to:

UAE nationals and residents
Foreign workers on employment visas
Mainland company employees
Free zone entity workers

Standard Employment Process:

Step 1: Employer applies for work permit approval through MOHRE or free zone authority
Step 2: Employee obtains entry permit or changes status if already in UAE
Step 3: Medical fitness test at approved health center
Step 4: Emirates ID biometric registration
Step 5: Residence visa stamping and labour contract registration

Typical Processing Time:

• Work permit approval: 3-5 business days
• Full visa issuance: 2-3 weeks from entry permit stage

For detailed information on employment visa procedures, see our Dubai Business Visa Requirements guide.

Juvenile Work Permit for Ages 15-17 Years (2026 Requirements)

Who Needs a Juvenile Work Permit?

Any minor aged 15 to 17 years who wishes to work in Dubai must obtain a Juvenile Work Permit. This category is commonly used for:

• Part-time employment during school breaks
• Entry-level retail or hospitality positions
• School or college-linked work experience programs
• Family business involvement

Eligibility Criteria:

Age between 15-17 years (confirmed by birth certificate)
Valid UAE residence visa
Written guardian/parent consent
Medical fitness certificate
School attendance records (if applicable)
No criminal record

Required Documents for Juvenile Work Permit:

1. Guardian consent letter (notarized, authorizing minor to work)
2. Birth certificate or official ID proving age
3. Medical fitness certificate from approved UAE health center
4. Valid UAE residence visas (minor and guardian)
5. Employer's trade license and establishment card
6. Passport copies and recent photographs
7. School enrollment letter (if student)
8. Labour contract specifying job duties and hours

Working Hours & Conditions for Juvenile Workers:

Prohibited Jobs for Minors (15-18):

Heavy construction or demolition work
Jobs involving toxic chemicals or hazardous materials
High-noise, high-heat industrial operations
Work in mines, quarries, or underground facilities
Jobs requiring heavy machinery operation

Application Process Timeline:

• Document preparation: 2-3 days
• Juvenile permit approval: 5-7 business days
• Medical fitness: 1-2 days
• Total processing time: 7-12 business days

Children Under 15 – Absolute Employment Ban

Children under 15 years of age cannot work in Dubai under any circumstances. This strict prohibition protects:

Physical and mental development
Educational opportunities
Safety from exploitation

Penalties for Employers: Companies attempting to employ under-15s face severe fines, license suspensions, and potential criminal charges under UAE labour law.

Maximum Age Limit for Dubai Work Visa (60–65+ Rules)

The standard maximum age for a Dubai work visa is 60, but employers can hire workers aged 60–65+ by paying higher age-band fees and obtaining extra approvals.

Requirements for Senior Worker Employment:

Additional approval from MOHRE or relevant free zone authority
Higher age-band fees (typically AED 500-2,000 extra annually)
Shorter visa validity (1-year renewable instead of 2-3 years)
Medical fitness certificate with detailed health screening
Employer justification for hiring senior candidate

Senior Worker Visa Processing:

• Standard processing: 7-10 business days
• Additional approval time: 3-5 business days
• Total timeline: 10-15 business days

For long-term residence alternatives, you may also explore Dubai Visa or Golden Visa options.

Student Training & Part-Time Permits (Ages 15-17)

Dubai supports skill development through controlled student work permits for curriculum-linked training and internships.

Who Qualifies?

• School and high-school students aged 15-17 (UAE residents)
• University and college students
• Vocational training participants

Important: Children under 15 cannot be employed or placed in private-sector training roles under UAE labour law.

Permitted Activities:

• Summer internships (maximum 3 months)
• Industry placements linked to coursework
• Part-time roles (maximum 4 hours/day during school term)

Application Requirements:

• Guardian consent for minors
• School/university enrollment letter
• Employer endorsement letter
• Valid UAE residence visa
• Medical fitness certificate

Note: These student permits are not a shortcut to full-time employment. All training and part-time roles must comply with UAE Labour Law rules on minimum age, working hours, and permitted job types for minors.

Dubai Work Visa Age Limit for Foreign Workers (2026)

The UAE employment visa age limit is generally 18–60 years, with many authorities allowing extensions up to 65 for senior workers under specific approval and higher age-band fees.

Age Limit Summary Table:

Working Hours, Overtime & Leave Rules (2026)

Standard Working Hours:

• Maximum 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week
• Reduced to 6 hours/day during Ramadan
• Overtime paid at 125% of regular hourly rate
• Friday rest day (or equivalent) mandatory

Juvenile Worker Hours (15-18 years):

• Maximum 6 hours/day
• No overtime allowed
• Mandatory 1-hour rest break
• No work between 7 PM - 7 AM

Employer Compliance Checklist for 2026

Verify worker's age with passport/birth certificate before hiring
Use correct permit type (juvenile vs standard vs senior)
Never employ children under 15
Obtain guardian consent for all minors
Register labour contracts within 60 days
Maintain accurate working hour records
Plan senior worker renewals 3 months in advance

Conclusion: Start Your Dubai Work Permit Application Today

Understanding Dubai work permit age requirements is essential for both employers and workers in 2026. By understanding the age limit to work in Dubai and matching each worker to the correct permit, you reduce rejection risk and stay compliant with UAE labour law.

This guide is prepared by visa and HR compliance specialists who regularly handle Dubai work permits and employment visa cases across different age groups.

Ready to apply? Dubai Visa Center provides expert guidance for all age categories, from juvenile permits to senior worker approvals.

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