UAE Govt Contacts for Expats 2025: Visa & Labour Guide

Cut Through Confusion: Your UAE Government Contact List for Expats

May 9, 2025

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Moving to or working in the vibrant United Arab Emirates is an exciting prospect! But let's be honest, figuring out the official channels for visas, work permits, and labour questions can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. Knowing who to contact for what is crucial, whether you're dealing with your Emirates ID, understanding your employment contract, or sorting out residency matters

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. This guide cuts through the confusion, providing a clear directory of key UAE government contacts for expats in 2025, based directly on official sources and reputable information

. We'll cover the essential agencies like MOHRE, ICP, and GDRFA, so you know exactly where to turn.

Why Official Sources Are Crucial

When dealing with important matters like visas and employment, relying on outdated forum posts or hearsay can lead to frustrating delays or costly mistakes

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. Getting information straight from the horse's mouth – the official government bodies – ensures accuracy and helps you follow the correct procedures

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. This guide pulls information directly from official government listings and reputable sources mentioned in the provided research, giving you reliable contact points

. Think of it as your shortcut to the right information.

Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE): Your Labour Law Contact

If you're working in the UAE's private sector (outside specific free zones like DIFC or ADGM), the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) is your go-to authority for all things labour-related

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. MOHRE oversees employment standards and labour relations, ensuring fair practices for both employees and employers

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. Their responsibilities cover crucial areas like labour contracts, handling workplace complaints, issuing work permits, and managing Emiratisation policies aimed at boosting local employment

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. You can find a wealth of information on their website, mohre.gov.ae, including details on the UAE Labour Law, various services, and policy updates

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Need to get in touch? MOHRE offers several contact options. Their multilingual call centre is available 24/7 at 600590000, and you can also reach them via WhatsApp on the same number or email at ask@mohre.gov.ae

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. For in-person assistance or transaction processing, MOHRE has physical service centers and also utilizes authorized partners like Tasheel and Tawjeeh centers across the UAE

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. These centers can help with various MOHRE-related procedures, making processes more accessible

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Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP): Federal Visa & ID Matters

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, commonly known as ICP, is the federal body responsible for managing crucial identity and residency documents for everyone in the UAE

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. This includes issuing and renewing the essential Emirates ID card, processing various types of visas (like residency and visit visas at the federal level), and overseeing border control across the country

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. If you have questions about your Emirates ID application, need to track a federal visa status, or are interested in the Golden Visa program, ICP is the primary authority to consult

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Their official website is a key resource, offering details on different visa types, application steps, associated fees, and a range of online eServices for both individuals and companies

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. They also provide a mobile app for convenient access to services

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. While direct contact details might be found on their website or through UAE embassies abroad, many routine transactions like visa applications or Emirates ID processing are handled efficiently through authorized typing centers

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. These centers act as intermediaries, helping applicants complete the necessary paperwork correctly

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General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai): Dubai-Specific Visas

While ICP handles federal identity and visa matters, if you live and work specifically within the Emirate of Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai) is the agency you'll interact with most for local immigration and visa services

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. It's important to understand this distinction: ICP for federal matters (like Emirates ID nationwide), GDRFA-Dubai for Dubai-specific visa issuance and residency permits

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. So, if you're applying for a Dubai employment visa, sponsoring your family in Dubai, or renewing your Dubai residency, GDRFA-Dubai is the responsible authority

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Their services include issuing various Dubai entry permits (employment, family, visit), managing residency renewals, handling establishment card services for companies based in Dubai, and processing applications for the Golden Visa specifically within Dubai

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. You can find detailed information about these services on the official GDRFA-Dubai website, which also offers 24/7 chat support for queries

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. Their head office is located in Al Jaffliya, and their postal address is PO Box 4333, Dubai

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. Similar to ICP and MOHRE, many GDRFA-Dubai transactions are processed through authorized service centers known as Amer centers, offering convenient in-person assistance

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Dubai Health Authority (DHA): Mandatory Health Insurance Info

In Dubai, having valid health insurance isn't just a good idea – it's mandatory for all residents, including expats. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the government body that oversees the entire health sector within the emirate. This includes managing the mandatory health insurance scheme, known as ISAHD (which translates to 'Your health is your security'). Employers in Dubai are legally obligated to provide compliant health insurance coverage to their employees. The DHA website, dha.gov.ae, is your primary source for information on insurance requirements, lists of licensed healthcare facilities and professionals, and patient rights within Dubai.

Centralized Government Portals: Your Starting Point

Feeling overwhelmed by the different agencies? There are central gateways designed to help you find the information you need. The Official Portal of the UAE Government, accessible at u.ae, is a fantastic starting point

. It acts as a comprehensive hub, providing overviews and links to services, laws, and policies from various federal ministries and authorities, covering everything from employment and visas to health and legal matters

. Think of it as the main directory for federal government information

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. Similarly, for information and services specific to the Emirate of Dubai, the Dubai Government Portal at dubai.ae is the go-to resource, linking you to different Dubai government departments.

Accessing Official UAE Laws and Regulations

Need to understand the specifics of the UAE Labour Law or check regulations related to your visa? Accessing the official legal texts is crucial. The UAE government has made significant strides in making laws accessible online

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. The UAE Legislation Platform (uaelegislation.gov.ae) is the official, unified source for federal laws, available in both Arabic and English, dating back to the UAE's formation

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. You can search laws by name, number, keyword, or sector, making it a powerful tool for finding specific legislation

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. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) also maintains a legal portal with access to federal laws, court decisions, and international treaties

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For the absolute latest laws, keep an eye on the Official Gazettes; federal laws are published here within two weeks of being signed

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. Local emirates, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, also publish their own gazettes containing local decrees and regulations

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. Specifically for Dubai, the Dubai Legislation Portal (dlp.dubai.gov.ae) provides access to Dubai-specific legislation and an Official Gazette browser

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. The Dubai Courts website is another resource for finding federal and local laws applicable in the emirate

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. While reputable law firms often provide helpful insights and analysis

, remember to always consult qualified legal counsel for advice tailored to your specific situation.

Navigating Service Centers (Tasheel, Amer, Tawjeeh)

You might hear terms like Tasheel, Amer, or Tawjeeh mentioned when dealing with government transactions. What are they? These are authorized service centers that partner with government bodies like MOHRE, ICP, and GDRFA to process applications and provide assistance to the public

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. For instance, Tasheel and Tawjeeh centers typically handle MOHRE-related services (like labour contracts and work permits), while Amer centers primarily process transactions for GDRFA-Dubai and sometimes ICP (like visa applications and residency renewals)

. These centers offer convenient, walk-in locations for submitting documents, paying fees, and getting help with various government procedures, complementing the online services offered by the ministries

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Beyond Direct Contacts: Further Resources

While knowing the main government contacts is essential, sometimes you need broader support or deeper knowledge. Industry associations and business councils, like the Dubai Chamber or specific country councils (e.g., BBG, ABC), offer great networking opportunities and sector-specific information, though they aren't direct contacts for visa or labour issues

. To stay updated on legal changes and their implications, keep an eye on news sections of official government portals or follow insights from reputable law firm blogs and podcasts, such as Lawgical

. For those wanting a deeper dive, online courses focusing specifically on UAE Labour Law are available from various training providers, offering structured learning on employee rights and obligations

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