The UAE has introduced a raft of digital services as it makes the process of applying for work permits, contracts and investment services easier than ever.
Efforts to remove bureaucracy have slashed waiting times for some documents down from days to mere minutes, while paperwork and visits to government offices have also dramatically reduced.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has achieved exceptional results in its efforts to implement the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
The programme aims to boost effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and flexibility across government procedures to enhance government performance and meet customers’ aspirations, in line with the UAE’s competitiveness and its pioneering status.
The Ministry announced that procedures, requirements, and conditions for several services will be eliminated, reducing processing time to minutes instead of days and achieving reduction rates of up to 100 per cent.
This achievement stems from a vision centred on the customer journey, supported by key enablers, including a shift towards customer-centric institutions, engaging individuals, the private sector, and government entities in service development; strengthening integration between entities, empowering and motivating employees; and launching a series of digital transformation projects to promote client satisfaction and minimise unnecessary burdens.
Khalil Ibrahim Al Khoori, MoHRE’s Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations, asserted that the Ministry has taken strategic steps to achieve the main objectives of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, notably enhancing the Ministry’s organisational efficiency by migrating all of its systems and services to the Federal Network (FEDnet) cloud network infrastructure at the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority.
Moreover, the Ministry had also developed the Smart Inspection System, which proactively monitors risks to labour market stability, ranks establishments by risk level, and focuses inspection operations on high-risk establishments.
Among the most prominent services developed is the Work Bundle, which offers a package of essential services that enable private-sector companies and individuals to complete all necessary work and residency procedures in the UAE through the integrated “Work in UAE” digital platform.
Furthermore, the Ministry developed the “Invest in Dubai” and “Dubai Now platforms” in partnership with the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security; Digital Dubai; Dubai Health Authority; and the Department of Economy and Tourism.
These included enhancements to labour services for establishments, including hiring new employees, as well as renewing and cancelling residencies.
Meanwhile, the “Investor Journey – Abu Dhabi” package, which the Ministry launched in collaboration with the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security; TDRA; the Department of Economic Development; and the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, achieved a 100 per cent reduction in procedures, data fields, and documents for establishment registration services.
MoHRE’s innovative services include issuing work permits for establishments and domestic workers, renewing employment contracts, cancelling work permits or contracts, and processing labour complaints.
New services have also been launched, such as the Electronic Authorisation service, which is free to customers and can be completed in two minutes instead of three days.
Documents and in-person visits required for the service were reduced by 100 per cent, while the number of required fields was cut down by 97 per cent and procedures by 80 per cent.
Also included is an automated service for settling violators’ status when renewing work permits with their current employer, which has been automated, resulting in a 100 per cent reduction in the number of required visits, 93 per cent fewer fields, and 50 per cent fewer procedures and required documents.
Additionally, the Ministry developed and launched a service to issue job experience certificates, which can now be requested in under two minutes.
The electronic integration and data alignment between MoHRE and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has helped eliminate the need for in-person visits, which were previously required for work permit renewals.
This service is now accessible via the smart application, with processing time reduced from two days to automatic approval, and the four previously required documents completely eliminated.
