Recruitment Agency License Dubai: MOHRE Cost and Guarantee
Content reviewed by My Business Setup Team, Business Setup Specialists.
Recruitment in the UAE is regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and the MOHRE permit carries requirements that surprise most applicants. The two that matter are a substantial bank guarantee and, for certain categories, UAE national ownership. The distinction that decides your path is between recruitment and labour supply. A recruitment agency introduces candidates to employers who then sponsor them. A labour supply company employs and sponsors the workers itself and hires them out. The second is far more tightly controlled, typically requires Emirati ownership, and carries a much larger guarantee. Decide which you are before you budget, because the capital requirement differs by an order of magnitude.
Who Should Consider a Recruitment Agency License?
- Recruiters with sector specialisation and an existing client base
- Executive search firms serving professional and senior hires
- Established groups adding staffing to a services portfolio
What You Can and Cannot Do
A recruitment permit covers sourcing and introducing candidates to employers. It does not permit you to sponsor workers and supply them to third parties, which is labour supply under a separate and more restricted licence. Domestic worker recruitment is its own category with distinct rules, Tadbeer being the regulated channel. Charging candidates fees is prohibited in most categories.
How Much Does a Recruitment Agency License Cost?
For a Recruitment Agency License, expect AED 6,500 - 28,000 in a free zone and AED 13,000 - 25,000 on the mainland for year one, with the licence issued in roughly 5-10 working days once documents are ready. The lower end of each range is a single-activity licence with no staff visas in a low-cost emirate; the upper end reflects Dubai, extra activities, or a larger office.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free-zone licence (year one) | AED 6,500 - 28,000 | Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, RAK and UAQ sit at the low end; Dubai zones at the high end |
| Mainland licence (year one) | AED 13,000 - 25,000 | Excludes the tenancy, which mainland requires separately |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off, needed before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee, plus deposit on mainland |
| Ejari tenancy (mainland only) | from AED 15,000 / year | Not required for a free-zone flexi desk |
| Corporate tax registration | No fee | 9% applies only on taxable profit above AED 375,000 |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one licence fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative market ranges for planning, not a quote. Government fees, zone packages and external approvals change; confirm current figures before you apply.
Approvals you should budget time for
Qualification attestation may be required. This is the part that moves the timeline, not the licence itself.
The bank guarantee is the dominant requirement and it is locked capital, not an expense. Licence fees themselves are comparatively modest.
Good to know
- 100% foreign ownership available
- Flexi/shared office keeps overhead low
- Visa quota scales with office size
Watch out
- Confusing recruitment with labour supply and budgeting for the wrong licence
- Not planning for the bank guarantee as locked capital
- Charging candidate-side fees where it is prohibited
- Overlooking the Emirati ownership requirement on restricted categories
How to Get Started
- Decide recruitment versus labour supply, as the requirements differ sharply
- Confirm the current MOHRE bank guarantee amount and ownership rules
- Reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval
- Place the bank guarantee and submit the MOHRE permit application
- Secure office premises with Ejari and issue the trade licence
- Open the immigration file and begin placing candidates
Documents Checklist
- Passport copy & recent photo of each shareholder
- Current visa/entry status
- 2 to 3 preferred trade names
- Brief scope & staffing plan
Recruitment Agency License FAQs
What is the bank guarantee for a recruitment agency in the UAE?
MOHRE requires a bank guarantee to issue a recruitment permit, and the amount differs by category, with labour supply substantially higher than professional recruitment. It is locked capital held in MOHRE favour rather than a fee, so treat it as a funding requirement, not a cost. Confirm the current figure with MOHRE, as it is revised periodically.
What is the difference between a recruitment agency and labour supply?
A recruitment agency introduces candidates to an employer who then sponsors and employs them. A labour supply company sponsors and employs workers itself and hires them out to clients. Labour supply is far more tightly regulated, typically requires UAE national ownership, and carries a much larger bank guarantee.
Does a recruitment agency need Emirati ownership in the UAE?
For certain categories, yes, particularly labour supply and domestic worker recruitment. Professional recruitment and executive search are generally open to full foreign ownership. Because the rules differ by category and change, confirm your specific activity with MOHRE before structuring the company.
Can I charge candidates a fee for finding them a job?
In most categories no. UAE law prohibits charging job seekers recruitment fees, and the employer pays. Breaching this is a serious compliance matter. Build your model on employer-side fees, typically a percentage of annual salary for professional placements.
How much does a recruitment agency licence cost in Dubai?
Licence, MOHRE permit and office costs run roughly AED 30,000 to 80,000 in year one, but the bank guarantee is the real requirement and is the larger number by far. Add office rent with Ejari, visas for your own staff, and working capital, since placement fees are usually collected after the candidate starts.
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Last updated: October 2026
Requirements, timelines, and fees vary by jurisdiction, office setup, and external approvals. Confirm the current structure before applying.