Can a 16-year-old work in the UAE? Many parents, teenagers and small business owners ask this before summer or during a school break. The answer is yes, but only under strict conditions. A person under 15 cannot be employed at all. A person aged 15 up to 18 is called a juvenile, and can be employed only by a registered establishment, with a juvenile work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), written consent from a guardian, and a medical fitness certificate. Working hours are limited, night work is banned, and dangerous work is prohibited.
This guide explains the rules in simple language for parents, teenagers and employers. It follows Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and the MOHRE service description for the juvenile work permit.
Published: 21 October 2026
Quick Answer
Under Article 5 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, a juvenile is a person who has reached 15 years of age but has not yet exceeded 18. No one may be employed before completing 15 years. To employ a juvenile, the employer needs a MOHRE juvenile work permit, the written consent of the juvenile’s guardian or custodian, and a medical certificate confirming fitness for the work. Actual working time cannot exceed 6 hours a day, with breaks of at least one hour in total, and a juvenile cannot work more than 4 consecutive hours. Work between 7 pm and 7 am is not allowed. Overtime, work on rest days and work on official holidays are also not allowed. The permit is valid for one year. Always confirm current details with MOHRE or the UAE Government portal (u.ae) before you apply.
Who Counts as a Juvenile?
The law gives two clear limits:
- Under 15: employment is prohibited. An employer cannot hire a child under 15 for a job, even a light one.
- 15 up to 18: the person is a juvenile. Employment is allowed only if the legal conditions are met.
- 18 and above: the person is treated as an adult worker and follows the normal work permit rules. See our guide to UAE work permit categories.
The juvenile permit is not a general permission for any teenager to work anywhere. It is issued to a registered establishment for a named juvenile, and it covers work that matches the establishment’s licensed activity.
The Legal Conditions for Employing a Juvenile
Article 5 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 sets the conditions. The key points are:
| Condition | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | Not before completing 15 years |
| Guardian consent | Written consent from the juvenile’s guardian or custodian |
| Medical fitness | A certificate of health fitness for the required work from the competent medical authority |
| Daily working time | Actual working hours cannot exceed 6 per day |
| Breaks | Breaks of at least one hour in total; no more than 4 consecutive hours of work |
| Night work | No work between 7 pm and 7 am |
| Dangerous work | No work that is dangerous, arduous, or harmful to health, safety or morals, as defined by Ministerial decision |
| Overtime and rest days | No overtime, no staying at the workplace after fixed hours, no work on rest days or official holidays |
The Implementing Regulation (Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022) adds the detailed procedures for employers and the list of prohibited jobs. If you are an employer, read the MOHRE service page together with the regulation before you hire.
Working Hours in Practice
The hour limits are the part that most small businesses get wrong, so here is how they work in daily life.
- Maximum 6 actual working hours a day. Break time does not count as work, but the law says the breaks must total at least one hour. The day on the premises is therefore longer than 6 hours only by the break time.
- No more than 4 hours in a row. A juvenile who starts at 9 am must have a break before 1 pm.
- Not after 7 pm and not before 7 am. This is a fixed window. A shop that closes at 10 pm cannot schedule a 17-year-old for the closing shift.
- No overtime. The employer cannot ask the juvenile to stay late, even if the work is unfinished, and cannot ask for work on a weekly rest day or an official public holiday.
Example: a 16-year-old working in a retail shop could work from 10 am to 2 pm, take a one-hour break, and work from 3 pm to 5 pm. That is 6 hours of actual work, with no stretch longer than 4 hours. The shift ends before 7 pm.
For contract types, the MOHRE service lists part-time, flexible, remote and job-sharing arrangements as permitted contract types for the juvenile permit. Full-time adult-style schedules do not fit the 6-hour limit. For the general rules on part-time work for adults, see our guide to part-time and multiple job work permits.
Which Jobs Are Not Allowed?
The law bans work that is dangerous, arduous, or harmful to a juvenile’s health, safety or morals. The Minister decides the list by decision. The MOHRE service page states that the occupation must not be a job prohibited for juveniles, with a note on skill levels 1 and 2 and on jobs a ministerial decision treats as dangerous, which stay prohibited.
In practice, this means employers should avoid:
- Heavy lifting, construction sites and work at height.
- Work with machinery or chemicals that could cause injury.
- Late-night hospitality work, including venues that serve alcohol.
- Any work that could harm morals or safety.
The job must also be consistent with the establishment’s licensed activity. A juvenile cannot be hired for an activity that is not on the trade licence.
Juvenile Work Permit: Who Applies and What Is Needed
The establishment applies, not the family. The MOHRE service page sets these conditions:
- The establishment holds a valid licence with no registered violations that could lead to suspension.
- The application is submitted by the establishment’s authorised signatory.
- The juvenile does not already hold a valid work permit.
- The occupation matches the establishment’s activity and is not a prohibited job.
- No bank guarantee or insurance is required for the permit, and no electronic quota is required.
Documents required
| # | Document | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear colour photo with white background | Recent personal photo |
| 2 | Written consent signed by the guardian or custodian | Signed by the person responsible for the juvenile |
| 3 | Medical certificate from a competent medical authority | Must confirm the juvenile is fit for the specific job |
| 4 | Copies of the valid passport and residence visa | The juvenile’s own documents |
| 5 | MOHRE-approved employment contract signed by both parties | Use the official contract form |
Steps to apply
- Log in with UAE Pass through an approved MOHRE channel.
- Enter the request details, review the data retrieved automatically, and attach the documents.
- Review the request and pay the fees.
- The permit is issued when the request is completed. MOHRE will notify the establishment if further requirements arise.
The service is available through MOHRE service centres, the website, the MOHRE app and Tawseel centres. Processing time on the MOHRE page is two working days. You can check status through the MOHRE inquiry service or call 600 590000.
Fees and validity
According to the MOHRE service page, the federal fee is AED 50, and a business centre commission is capped at AED 72. The page notes that fees exclude tax and collection charges. Fees can change, so confirm the amount on the MOHRE site before you pay. The permit is valid for one year.
What Parents and Guardians Need to Know
For a family, the main points are:
- Your consent is a legal requirement. The employer cannot lawfully hire your child without your signed written consent. Read the contract before you sign it.
- Check the job and the hours. If the job involves night shifts, heavy work or overtime, it does not meet the law. Do not sign.
- Medical certificate first. The certificate must say that your child is fit for the work in question. A general check-up note may not be enough, so ask the clinic for a certificate that names the work.
- Keep school first. The permit does not replace school attendance. Check the school timetable before you agree to working hours.
- Residence status. The juvenile needs a valid residence visa. If your child’s visa is under your sponsorship, you should keep that status in order. See our guide on Emirates ID and document updates if any personal details need to change.
If you need help with guardianship questions, for example when the parents are separated, see child custody and guardianship for expats in Dubai.
Penalty note: reports on the law state that employing a juvenile in breach of the rules can lead to fines for the employer, and that a guardian who consents to a breach can be liable too. One public guide quotes a range of AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000. Treat that figure as a secondary-source report and verify the exact penalty in the text of the decree-law or with MOHRE before relying on it.
What Employers Must Prepare
If you run a business and want to take on a teenager for a summer or part-time role, prepare these items before the start date:
- A job description that fits the licensed activity and is not on the prohibited list.
- A schedule that fits the 6-hour day, the 4-hour stretch limit and the 7 pm to 7 am ban. Put the breaks in the contract.
- Signed guardian consent and the medical fitness certificate.
- A MOHRE-approved contract signed by both sides.
- The juvenile permit before the juvenile starts work.
- Wage payment through the Wage Protection System where it applies. Read our guide to the UAE Wage Protection System.
The u.ae portal also lists employer duties that go with juvenile employment, including keeping a special record of juveniles, insuring them as other workers are insured, and training them on occupational health and safety. Check the current list on u.ae and with MOHRE.
For the general rules on contracts, probation and notice, see UAE employment contract rules and types of employment contracts.
Student Training and Employment Permit
There is a separate MOHRE permit for students. Establishments can train or employ students aged 15 and above under the student training and employment permit. According to the MOHRE and u.ae service descriptions, it needs a photo, a copy of the Emirates ID and proof of student status, a valid residence visa for non-national students, guardian consent for students aged 15 to 18, a medical fitness certificate, a no-objection certificate from the educational institution where the student is training, and a MOHRE-approved contract. The permit is valid for three months.
Which permit fits? As a rule of thumb, the student permit suits short training placements and holiday work that is linked to the student’s education. The juvenile permit suits a regular job for a 15 to 18 year old. Ask MOHRE if your case is not clear. For visas related to study, see UAE student visa 2026.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why it is a problem | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Letting a 15-year-old start before the permit is issued | Employment without the permit is a breach | Wait for the permit |
| Scheduling a 17-year-old until 9 pm | Work after 7 pm is banned | End every shift before 7 pm |
| Asking for “a few extra hours” | Overtime is not allowed for juveniles | Hold to the 6-hour limit |
| Using a general medical letter | The certificate must confirm fitness for the work | Ask for a job-specific certificate |
| Hiring for an activity not on the licence | The job must match the establishment’s activity | Check the trade licence |
| Weekend or holiday shifts | Rest days and official holidays are protected | Roster around them |
| Signing the contract without guardian consent on file | Consent in writing is mandatory | Keep the signed consent with the contract |
If a juvenile or a family believes the employer broke the rules, a complaint can be filed with MOHRE. See how to file a MOHRE labour complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to work in the UAE?
The minimum age is 15. Under Article 5 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, no one may be employed before completing 15 years of age.
Can a 16-year-old work part-time in the UAE?
Yes, if the employer holds a MOHRE juvenile work permit for the teenager and the guardian has given written consent. The job must match the employer’s licensed activity, and the working hours must stay within the legal limits.
How many hours can a juvenile work per day?
Actual working time cannot exceed 6 hours a day. The breaks must total at least one hour, and the juvenile cannot work more than 4 consecutive hours.
Can a juvenile work at night?
No. Work between 7 pm and 7 am is not allowed. Overtime, rest-day work and work on official holidays are also not allowed.
Who applies for the juvenile work permit?
The establishment applies, through its authorised signatory, using UAE Pass on a MOHRE channel. The family does not apply on the employer’s behalf.
Which documents are needed?
A white-background colour photo, the guardian’s signed written consent, a medical certificate confirming fitness for the job, copies of the passport and residence visa, and the MOHRE-approved employment contract signed by both parties.
How long is the juvenile work permit valid?
The MOHRE service page states one year. Processing time is listed as two working days.
How much does it cost?
The MOHRE service page lists a federal fee of AED 50 and a business centre commission capped at AED 72, excluding tax and collection charges. Confirm the current fee on the MOHRE site before paying.
Does the employer need a bank guarantee or insurance for the permit?
According to the MOHRE service page, no bank guarantee or insurance is required for the juvenile permit, and no electronic quota is needed.
Is guardian consent really required?
Yes. The law requires the written consent of the juvenile’s guardian or custodian, and the MOHRE application needs the signed consent attached.
What is the difference between the juvenile permit and the student training permit?
The juvenile permit covers employment of a 15 to 18 year old and lasts one year. The student training and employment permit is for students aged 15 and above, is linked to education, and lasts three months.
Where can I check the current rules?
Use the MOHRE website and app, the UAE Government portal at u.ae, or the MOHRE call centre on 600 590000.
Related Reading
- UAE VAT on Exports 2026: Zero-Rating, the 90-Day Rule and Export Evidence (Qaspro Global)
- UAE Work Permit Categories 2026 (MOHRE)
- UAE Part-Time and Multiple Job Work Permit 2026
- UAE Employment Contract Rules 2026
- UAE Wage Protection System 2026
- MOHRE Labour Complaint UAE 2026
- UAE Student Visa 2026
Need Help With a Work Permit or Visa Paperwork?
Yalah Dubai helps employers and families with MOHRE work permits, residence visas, Emirates ID and document clearing. If you are planning to hire a teenager or you are a parent with questions about the paperwork, message us on WhatsApp at +971 52 580 2100.
This article is general information based on Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and MOHRE and UAE Government service descriptions as read on 20 October 2026. Rules and fees can change. Confirm current requirements with MOHRE (mohre.gov.ae) or u.ae before you apply.