Many expatriate families move to the UAE with one person taking up a job and the other arriving as a dependent. But what if that dependent wants to work too? Can a wife legally work in the UAE while on her husband’s visa? The short answer is yes – but only with proper authorisation. We explain what that means in practice, especially for those in Dubai and free zones like DUQE.
Can You Legally Work While on a Spouse Visa in the UAE?
A residence visa sponsored by a family member provides legal residency, not automatic work rights. The UAE Labour Law requires that all employees hold a valid work permit, regardless of their visa type.
So, a wife sponsored by her husband can work in the UAE if a licensed employer issues her a work permit. This applies to both mainland companies and businesses based in free zones.
Importantly, this is a well-established route, not a legal loophole. UAE authorities, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), have made clear that family-sponsored residents are eligible for employment, provided they obtain the correct permit and their sponsor consents.
How the System Works: Sponsorship, Visas and Work Permits
What is a Family Sponsorship Visa?
When an expatriate resident earns at least 4,000 per month (or 3,000 plus accommodation), they can sponsor immediate family members for residency. This includes spouses and children.
Since a 2019 policy change, both men and women can sponsor their spouses, and both are eligible for employment while under spousal sponsorship, subject to work permit rules.
Why is a Work Permit Still Required?
Being legally resident does not equal being legally employed. To work, a wife on her husband’s visa must have a work permit issued by the employer. Without it, both the employee and the company face steep fines and penalties.
What Changed in 2019?
In a significant update, the UAE allowed men on family visas (previously restricted) to obtain work permits, levelling the playing field. This move helped expand the workforce, reduce employers’ costs, and support dual-income households.
Applying for a Work Permit While on a Spouse Visa
Employer Responsibilities
Only licensed companies can apply for work permits. The hiring company is responsible for initiating the process, submitting the correct documents, and covering all associated fees. Permits are usually issued for one or two years and are renewable.
Role of the Sponsor (Husband)
The sponsor must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) – a signed letter stating they consent to the wife working for the named employer. This letter is legally required for the permit application.
Costs and Fees
Fees vary slightly between free zones and the mainland, but are significantly lower for family-sponsored residents. MoHRE charges around 300 for a two-year permit. In free zones, fees can range from 500 to 1,000 depending on the authority and services included. By law, the employer bears all work permit costs.
What Free Zones Like DUQE Offer for Spouse Visa Holders
How Free Zone Rules Compare to Mainland Procedures
While the legal framework is consistent, each free zone has its own administrative process. In free zones, the zone authority, not MoHRE, issues the permit. The employer still applies, and the dependent remains on the original residence visa.
DUQE-Specific Advantages
DUQE, based on the QE2 in Dubai, operates under the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation. It provides flexible support for business owners and employees, including streamlined processes for hiring family-sponsored residents. For entrepreneurs setting up in DUQE, it’s common to hire a spouse as part of the startup team.
For example, DUQE offers fast-track processing for dependents already holding valid residency and coordinates directly with GDRFA Dubai to verify documents. This reduces red tape and allows new companies to onboard trusted family members as early-stage team leads, administrators, or finance managers.
Hiring Dependents in DUQE vs Other Free Zones
Unlike some older free zones that require deposits or impose quota limits, DUQE offers modern onboarding for spouse visa holders. Spouses can be hired in admin, tech, legal, creative, or operational roles, with support from DUQE’s in-house PRO and licensing teams.
Considerations for Working on a Spouse Visa
Visa Status Coordination
The spouse’s work permit is tied to the family visa. If the sponsor loses their job or leaves the UAE, the dependent’s visa may be cancelled unless arrangements are made. In such cases, the wife would need to transfer to employer sponsorship.
Labour Law Protections
The UAE Labour Law covers employees on spouse visas. Once a work permit is issued, they are entitled to the same rights as other employees, including end-of-service benefits and WPS salary protections.
Healthcare and Insurance
In Abu Dhabi, employers must insure an employee’s spouse and children. In Dubai, the sponsor typically covers insurance unless the employer provides it voluntarily. Coverage arrangements should be confirmed in the employment contract.
Are There Limits to the Type of Work You Can Do?
There are no legal restrictions on the roles a spouse visa holder can take, provided they meet the licensing conditions. For regulated professions like healthcare, law, or engineering, the employee must still obtain the appropriate local licence or professional registration.
If offering services independently, she must apply for a freelancer licence or business permit. This allows her to move off her husband’s visa and sponsor herself, if preferred.
Why Working on a Spouse Visa Is Increasingly Common
Many families now rely on both partners working. The 2019 changes empowered dual-income households, encouraged workforce participation, and allowed expat families to build a life in the UAE with more financial stability.
From the employer’s side, it means access to an existing talent pool with fewer administrative burdens.
What Happens If You Work Without a Permit?
It is illegal. Both the employee and the company face serious penalties, including fines up to 1,000,000 in severe cases. A NOC alone is not enough – a government-issued work permit is mandatory.
The good news is that the system is now efficient and cost-effective, so there is little reason to avoid compliance.
What’s Next: Trends and Evolving Policies In Remote Work
As more residents apply for Golden or Green Visas, we expect continued flexibility around self-sponsorship. Many families will eventually move away from the traditional single-sponsorship model.
Recent trends include more free zones offering digital platforms for issuing NOCs, simplified freelance licensing for dependents, and multi-employer work permits for part-time roles. Public discussion also points to enhanced legal protections for gig workers and home-based businesses, making it easier for spouses to operate legally.
Digital NOCs, easier multi-employer permits, and enhanced support for freelancers and remote workers are all likely developments. For now, the family visa plus work permit model remains a practical and widely used option.
Working on a Spouse Visa in the UAE Is Legal – With the Right Permit
Thousands of wives in the UAE are building careers while remaining on their husbands’ sponsorship. The key is having a valid work permit in place. It offers flexibility, protects legal rights, and benefits employers, too.
Whether you’re looking to work in a school, set up a business in DUQE, or join a startup team, the process is clear, legal, and supported across the country. If you’re a spouse ready to enter the workforce, make sure you go through the correct channels – and don’t settle for shortcuts.
Looking to set up your company in a zone that understands family-sponsored employment? Speak to DUQE’s business setup experts today.