The UAE is preparing to make work permit applications even faster and simpler as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launches a new phase of labour market reforms.

As part of the initiative, MoHRE has opened a public consultation period until July 30, inviting employers, employees and members of the public to share feedback on existing work permit services and suggest improvements.

The ministry said the latest reforms will focus on simplifying procedures, reducing administrative requirements and expanding digital services to improve customer experience and speed up transaction processing.

Faster, simpler work permit services

According to MoHRE, the planned upgrades are designed to support the UAE’s wider Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by making work permit services more efficient and user-friendly.

The ministry recently removed the requirement for supporting documents across several permit categories and reduced mandatory application fields by up to 97 per cent, significantly cutting processing times.

Officials say the next phase will build on those changes by redesigning permit procedures and increasing the use of digital channels.

13 types of work permits

MoHRE currently issues 13 different work permits tailored to various employment arrangements, including:

• Recruitment permits for workers hired from outside the UAE
• Transfer work permits
• Family-sponsored resident work permits
• Part-time work permits
• Temporary and mission work permits
• Freelance work permits
• Golden Visa holder work permits
• Student training and employment permits
• Juvenile work permits for individuals aged 15 to 18
• UAE and GCC national work permits

The ministry said the reforms are aimed at supporting private-sector growth, protecting workers’ rights and strengthening the UAE’s position as a competitive global labour market.

Public feedback open until July 30

Residents, employers and businesses can submit suggestions through MoHRE’s electronic consultation platform before July 30.

The ministry said public feedback will help shape future enhancements and support the development of faster, more flexible and fully digital government services aligned with the UAE’s long-term economic vision.

Dubai has unveiled a new one-stop platform aimed at making it faster, simpler and more affordable for entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses in the emirate.

Launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), SME in a Box brings together essential business services on a single platform, allowing founders to access licensing support, banking, digital payments, logistics, telecommunications and other operational tools without dealing with multiple providers separately.

The initiative is designed to remove many of the challenges entrepreneurs face during the business setup process, helping startups and small businesses reduce costs, save time and get operational more quickly.

According to DET, businesses using the platform could unlock more than Dh80,000 in potential value through partner discounts, fee waivers, subsidised onboarding and preferential service packages. Founders may also save up to 200 hours typically spent comparing providers, negotiating contracts and completing onboarding requirements.

The platform launches with 18 private-sector partners, including Emirates NBD, Commercial Bank of Dubai, du, Aramex, DHL and several fintech and business service providers.

Certain digital services, including payments, logistics and telecom solutions, can be activated within as little as 24 hours, while more complex services such as corporate banking and licensing continue to follow standard regulatory procedures with streamlined onboarding support.

Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of Dubai SME, said the platform was developed in response to entrepreneurs seeking greater clarity, speed and cost efficiency when setting up businesses.

The initiative supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to further strengthen Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for investment, entrepreneurship and business growth.

Future phases will introduce deeper digital integration and eventually connect SME in a Box with Dubai’s broader business ecosystem, creating a seamless journey from company formation to scaling and expansi

Dubai is accelerating its ambitions to become one of the world’s top sporting destinations, unveiling a long-term strategy designed to significantly boost economic impact, increase community participation and attract more global sporting events over the next decade.

Under the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, the emirate aims to grow the sports industry’s contribution to the economy from Dh10.17 billion to Dh18.3 billion by 2033, reinforcing sport as a key pillar of Dubai’s economic and social development agenda.

The strategy also sets ambitious participation targets, with the number of people actively engaged in sports expected to rise from 1.6 million to 2.6 million. Annual attendance at major sporting events is projected to surge from 1.67 million to more than 4.1 million spectators during the same period.

The announcement was made during a strategic industry gathering organised by the Dubai Sports Council, which brought together sports event organisers, facility operators and industry leaders to discuss future opportunities and challenges shaping the emirate’s sporting landscape.

Hosted in collaboration with JA Sports & Shooting Club at JA The Resort, the meeting also included an exclusive preview of the region’s newest integrated multi-sport destination ahead of its public launch.

Dubai already hosts more than 500 sporting events annually, including over 100 international championships, highlighting its growing reputation as a preferred destination for elite competitions and global sporting experiences.

Officials outlined how the Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 will build on this momentum through continued investment in world-class infrastructure, stronger partnerships with the private sector and initiatives designed to encourage wider community engagement in sport.

Speaking during the session, Essa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, noted that sporting events have evolved beyond competition to become powerful drivers of economic growth, quality of life and international visibility for the emirate.

The strategy also places a strong focus on nurturing future talent across sports such as football, golf, padel and badminton, while creating pathways for young athletes to progress professionally and compete at higher levels.

As Dubai continues to invest in sporting infrastructure and international events, the Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 is expected to play a central role in shaping the emirate’s ambition to become the world’s leading sporting city by the end of the decade.