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Working in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates through legal routes

Written by KarirAman editorial team Approved by Kaiser Khan (editor), Updated

Formal jobs in Dubai and the UAE for Indonesians (hotels, healthcare, construction): MoHRE permits, the recruitment fee ban and the domestic work ban.

The UAE is under the Kepmenaker 260/2015 moratorium: Indonesians may not be placed with individual employers, including as domestic workers. Formal jobs with companies still go through legal routes.

Summary

  • Working in the UAE without a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) breaks UAE labour law.
  • UAE labour law bans employers from charging workers recruitment and employment costs, directly or indirectly.
  • Your UAE employment contract must match the job offer you signed in your home country.
  • The UAE is one of the 19 countries under the Kepmenaker 260/2015 moratorium, so Indonesians may not be placed there as domestic workers.
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On this page
  1. Which legal work routes exist for the United Arab Emirates?
  2. What rights do foreign workers have according to the UAE Government?
  3. Is the UAE also being discussed for domestic work?
  4. How do you work in Dubai and the UAE legally?

What rights do foreign workers have according to the UAE Government?

The UAE Government's official portal summarises the rights of workers recruited from abroad. Recruitment and travel costs, and the cost of the UAE residence permit, are borne by the employer. Your UAE contract must match the job offer you signed in your home country, so keep a copy of that offer. Keep your identity documents somewhere safe. You may leave a job at any time while meeting your legal obligations.

Is the UAE also being discussed for domestic work?

KP2MI named the UAE as another potential Middle East destination that is also under the moratorium and could be discussed after Saudi Arabia. Until an official decision is made, placing Indonesians as domestic workers in the UAE stays banned.

How do you work in Dubai and the UAE legally?

The legal route for Indonesian migrant workers to Dubai and the other emirates is formal work for a legal-entity employer, through a P3MI holding an SIP2MI or as an independent migrant worker who reports officially, with a MoHRE work permit applied for by the employer. Requirements, the visa, costs and steps are on the page on requirements for working in the UAE. For help as an Indonesian citizen, use the official channels below.

Which official channels can you contact?

Frequently asked questions

Which jobs are most available to Indonesians in the UAE?

Indonesia's ambassador to the UAE says the UAE's formal sector is growing fast, especially hospitality, healthcare and construction. Legal vacancies for Indonesian migrant workers appear as P3MI job orders on SISKOP2MI, so check there before you apply.

Where do I report unpaid wages in the UAE?

The UAE Government's official portal advises workers to contact MoHRE if the employer does not provide the agreed job or does not pay the full salary on time. Also contact the Indonesian mission in the UAE or KP2MI through the official channels below.

What is the age limit for working in the United Arab Emirates?

Age limits differ by legal route: Formal work with a MoHRE work permit: at least 18 years. Check the route page again before you apply.

Which visa do you need to work in the United Arab Emirates?

The legal routes to the United Arab Emirates use these visas or permits: Formal work with a MoHRE work permit: Standard work visa. Apply only through the destination government's official website or its mission.

Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Written by KarirAman editorial team Published Updated

Prepared with AI assistance. Checked against official sources and approved for publication by Kaiser Khan (editor). Approval date: .

Sources

The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.

  1. Work permits (UAE private sector) The Official Platform of the UAE Government (u.ae) · accessed
  2. Work visa (standard work visa) The Official Platform of the UAE Government (u.ae) · accessed
  3. Protection of workers' rights The Official Platform of the UAE Government (u.ae) · accessed
  4. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship (English text) UAE Government (u.ae document store) · UAE Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 · accessed
  5. UEA jadi pasar strategis baru bagi pekerja migran Indonesia Kontan · official statement via media · accessed
  6. Keputusan Menteri Ketenagakerjaan Nomor 260 Tahun 2015 tentang Penghentian dan Pelarangan Penempatan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia pada Pengguna Perseorangan di Negara-negara Kawasan Timur Tengah JDIH Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan · Kepmenaker 260/2015 · accessed
  7. Ini 8 poin kesepakatan rencana pencabutan moratorium penempatan pekerja migran ke Arab Saudi Kementerian Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia (KP2MI) · accessed
  8. Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2017 tentang Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · UU 18/2017 · accessed
How to cite

KarirAman (2026). Working in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates through legal routes. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/uae/

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Change log
  • : Added a pointer to the formal work page for the UAE and help channels for Indonesian citizens.