United Arab Emirates: Labor Card Applications Now Require Proof of Unemployment Insurance Subscription
February 16, 2024

Foreign nationals submitting an application for an initial or renewed labor card for the mainland must include the certificate showing that they have subscribed to the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) insurance scheme (a type of unemployment insurance). Previously, individuals who either entered the United Arab Emirates on an Employment Entry Permit or changed their immigration status in-country had up to four months to subscribe to the unemployment insurance scheme. Current labor card holders who have not yet subscribed to an ILOE scheme still have the previous four-month deadline to subscribe to the scheme. To avoid any delay in the issuance of a labor card, as well as any potential fines, employers are advised to proactively ensure prospective and existing employees subscribe to the ILOE without delay.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere discussed how a digital “Super-Agency” could streamline Germany’s skilled migration.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Program Manager Alexia Prior and Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Julia Daoud discuss the importance of crisis preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability, emphasizing proactive strategies and resilience planning.

Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino, Senior Associate Clark Cannon and Associate Mallorie Mecham are recognized in Utah Business’s 2025 Legal Elite.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.

Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere betont, dass die Chancenkarte die Einreise von Fachkräften nach Deutschland erleichtern, bürokratische Hürden abbauen und die Effizienz durch eine bessere digitale Integration und weniger Kontaktpunkte steigern kann.

Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al-Husseini emphasises that mobility providers are essential for navigating regulatory frameworks, integrating Saudi nationals into the private sector and ensuring compliance with Saudisation policies, all of which support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Blog post
In this blog, Maja Sugui and Priyanka Gadekar explain how to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Germany, and the changes for the apostille and final certification request in 2025.

Media mentions
Country Manager María Inés Menvielle outlines Argentina’s updated immigration rules and their implications for business and foreign talent.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Mark Buchanan says governments across Asia-Pacific are tightening visa rules while supporting key industries vital to economic growth.

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere discussed how a digital “Super-Agency” could streamline Germany’s skilled migration.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Program Manager Alexia Prior and Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Julia Daoud discuss the importance of crisis preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability, emphasizing proactive strategies and resilience planning.

Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino, Senior Associate Clark Cannon and Associate Mallorie Mecham are recognized in Utah Business’s 2025 Legal Elite.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.

Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere betont, dass die Chancenkarte die Einreise von Fachkräften nach Deutschland erleichtern, bürokratische Hürden abbauen und die Effizienz durch eine bessere digitale Integration und weniger Kontaktpunkte steigern kann.

Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al-Husseini emphasises that mobility providers are essential for navigating regulatory frameworks, integrating Saudi nationals into the private sector and ensuring compliance with Saudisation policies, all of which support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Blog post
In this blog, Maja Sugui and Priyanka Gadekar explain how to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Germany, and the changes for the apostille and final certification request in 2025.

Media mentions
Country Manager María Inés Menvielle outlines Argentina’s updated immigration rules and their implications for business and foreign talent.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Mark Buchanan says governments across Asia-Pacific are tightening visa rules while supporting key industries vital to economic growth.