Part time jobs in UAE are legal, but only when the work is covered by the right permit. A shift at a café, weekend tutoring or a few evenings in a shop can all be done properly, or they can leave you and the employer in breach of the labour law. The difference usually comes down to one document: a part-time work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
This guide covers what the law says, who applies for the permit, working for two employers, leave and gratuity, and how to avoid fake “part-time job” offers.
Last checked: October 2026. Sources: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, MoHRE and the UAE Government portal (u.ae).
What the UAE labour law says about part-time work
Private-sector employment in the UAE is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, often called the UAE Labour Law, and its Executive Regulation, Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022. Article 7 of the Decree-Law sets out the types of work that can be contracted. It defines part-time work as “working for one or multiple employers for a specified number of working hours or days.”
So part-time work is a recognised contract type, and the law expects that a part-time worker may have more than one employer. Article 6 adds the basic rule: no one may work in the UAE, and no employer may employ anyone, without a MoHRE work permit.
Work models under UAE law
The Decree-Law lists four work types, and the Executive Regulation (Article 5) adds two more. Each has its own MoHRE contract form.
| Work model | What it means (official definition, summarised) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Working for one employer for the full daily working hours throughout the working days. | Decree-Law, Art. 7 |
| Part-time | Working for one or more employers for a specified number of hours or days. | Decree-Law, Art. 7 |
| Temporary | Work that needs a specific period, or is based on a particular task and ends when that task is completed. | Decree-Law, Art. 7 |
| Flexible | Work whose hours or days change according to workload and the employer’s economic and operational needs. | Decree-Law, Art. 7 |
| Remote | All or part of the work is done outside the workplace, using electronic communication, whether part-time or full-time. | Executive Regulation, Art. 5 |
| Job sharing | Tasks are divided between more than one worker as agreed in advance, with wages split accordingly. These workers are treated under part-time rules. | Executive Regulation, Art. 5 |
Switching type, for example from full-time to part-time, needs both sides’ agreement, payment of all entitlements under the original contract and MoHRE’s procedures (Executive Regulation, Article 10).
The MoHRE part-time work permit
The part-time work permit is one of the permit types listed in Article 6 of the Executive Regulation. MoHRE describes it this way on its part-time work permit service page: it “allows establishments registered with the Ministry to employ employees under a part-time employment contract, under which working hours or working days are less than those of full-time employees.”
Who applies: the employer, not you
This is an employer service, submitted by the company’s authorised signatory. You supply documents and sign the MoHRE job offer, but you do not apply yourself.
According to MoHRE’s service page, the main conditions and documents include:
- The employee must be 18 or older.
- The candidate must hold a valid UAE residence visa.
- The job must match the company’s valid licence, and licensed professions (such as nurses or teachers) need their professional licence.
- Documents include a passport copy, a photo, the official MoHRE job offer signed by both sides, academic certificates where your skill level requires them, and a no-objection letter from your current employer.
MoHRE states the permit is valid for one year and covers part-time, flexible, remote and job-sharing contracts. Fees and documents can change, so the employer should confirm current requirements with MoHRE. Once it is issued, check it under your name using our guide on how to check your labour contract and work permit.
Can you work for two employers at the same time?
Yes, with permission. The Executive Regulation (Article 6) says that under a part-time permit, “the worker may work for more than one employer after obtaining a permit to do so from the Ministry.” MoHRE repeats this on its service page: “After obtaining a permit from the Ministry, employees may work for more than one employer.”
The UAE Government portal’s page on working for two employers at one time states that “Emiratis, other GCC nationals and expatriate employees who are living in the UAE on a work visa, can take up a second job, upon getting a part-time work permit from MoHRE, which is valid for one year.” For family-visa residents, it says they “can take up a second job after getting a part-time work permit with an NOC from the sponsor.”
In practice, the second employer obtains the part-time permit, and because MoHRE’s document list includes a no-objection letter from your current employer, expect to need their written agreement. Check your existing contract for conflict-of-interest clauses too.
Article 17(5) of the Decree-Law adds that where a worker works full-time, neither the original nor any other employer may require more than the contracted hours without the worker’s written consent. Normal hours are capped at eight a day or 48 a week; see our guide to working hours in the UAE.
Who can take a part-time job in the UAE?
Eligibility depends on your residence status and age:
- Employees on a work visa: can take a second job once the new employer gets a part-time permit (u.ae, MoHRE).
- Residents on family sponsorship: u.ae says they can work part-time with a part-time permit and an NOC from their sponsor. MoHRE also has a separate work permit for family-sponsored residents.
- Students: a student training and employment permit covers students already in the UAE aged 15 or over. The u.ae work permits page lists it as valid for three months.
- Golden visa holders: employers request a dedicated Golden visa holder work permit. Ask MoHRE which contract types it covers.
- Visit and job seeker visa holders: these do not allow you to work. See our UAE job seeker visa guide.
If you want to serve several clients rather than an employer, the separate freelance work permit is the relevant route.
Annual leave and gratuity on a part-time contract
Part-time workers keep core labour-law rights, but some are calculated in proportion to the hours worked.
Annual leave
Article 29(2) of the Decree-Law entitles a part-time worker to annual leave “according to the actual working hours spent by the Worker with the Employer.” Article 18 of the Executive Regulation converts your contracted hours into working days compared with a full-time year, with a minimum of five working days per year; part days count as full days. Our annual leave in the UAE guide covers the full-time baseline.
End-of-service gratuity
Article 30 of the Executive Regulation explains gratuity for part-time and job-sharing workers. Your contracted annual hours divided by full-time annual hours gives a percentage, which is applied to the full-time gratuity. Temporary employment under one year carries no gratuity. Our UAE gratuity calculation guide has a pro-rata section, and our guide to termination of employment in the UAE explains what else you are owed when a contract ends.
Free zone part-time jobs
Many free zone companies register employees through their free zone authority rather than directly with MoHRE, and some free zones, such as the financial free zones DIFC and ADGM, have their own employment laws. Part-time rules, permit types and fees can therefore differ. If the job is with a free zone company, check your free zone authority’s rules before you agree to start.
Never pay for a part-time job: how the scams work
Dubai Police and MoHRE have repeatedly warned about fake job offers on social media and messaging apps. The pattern is familiar:
- An unsolicited WhatsApp or Telegram message offers easy money for “tasks” such as liking videos, rating hotels or reviewing products.
- Small payouts build trust, then you are asked to “deposit” money, pay “registration” fees or let your bank account move money for others.
The law is on your side here. Article 6(4) of the Decree-Law prohibits employers from charging workers recruitment and employment fees or collecting them, directly or indirectly. A genuine job comes with a MoHRE job offer and permit, not a payment request. See our guide to UAE job scams, and use our steps to verify a UAE job offer and employer before sharing your passport, Emirates ID or bank details.
How to find genuine part-time vacancies
- Target flexible sectors such as retail, hospitality, events, tutoring and fitness.
- Apply to identifiable employers through career pages and established job boards.
- Ask about the permit early. A legitimate company will expect the question.
- State your availability clearly on your CV. New to the market? Read our guide on getting a job in Dubai without experience.
Conclusion
Part-time work in the UAE has clear rules: the employer gets a MoHRE part-time permit, you can then work for more than one employer, and leave and gratuity follow your actual hours. Anyone who asks you to pay for a job, or to start before a permit exists, is putting you at risk.
Ready to start looking? Browse the latest jobs in UAE or submit your CV to JobVista UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Is part-time work legal in the UAE?
Yes. Article 7 of Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 recognises it, but the employer must obtain a MoHRE work permit.
Do I need my current employer’s permission for a second part-time job?
Expect to. MoHRE’s part-time permit service lists a no-objection letter from the current employer among the required documents.
Can I work part-time on a family visa?
Yes. u.ae says you need a part-time permit (applied for by the employer) and an NOC from your sponsor.
Can I work part-time on a visit or job seeker visa?
No. Article 6 of the Decree-Law requires a MoHRE work permit, which these visas do not provide.
Do part-time workers get annual leave and gratuity?
Yes, based on actual hours, with a minimum of five working days’ leave a year and gratuity as a percentage of the full-time entitlement.
Is a WhatsApp “part-time task job” real?
Treat it as a scam. Genuine employers do not ask you to deposit money. Do not pay or share personal or bank details.
Disclaimer: This article is general information about UAE employment rules and is not legal advice. Rules, fees and procedures can change, and free zones may follow their own regulations. Confirm your situation with MoHRE (call 600 590000 or visit the official text of Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) or your free zone authority before acting.
