Private Tutor License UAE: The Free MOHRE Permit, Documents and Renewal

This guide is for UAE residents who want to give private lessons for their own income, and for parents who hire them. A second job with a company is a different permit, covered in part-time work permit, and self-employed work in other fields is covered in UAE freelance permit. The guide is part of the work guide.

At a Glance

Do You Need a Permit to Tutor?

Yes. Ministerial Resolution No. 710 of 2023 created the private tuition work permit, and its Article 8 makes giving private lessons without it punishable. The resolution took effect on the day it was issued, 20 November 2023. It rests on the Labor Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, whose Article 6 says work "may not be practised in the State" except after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry, and on the law's executive regulation, which lets the Minister create new types of work permit by resolution.

The resolution defines private tutoring in its Arabic text as giving lessons outside the framework of educational institutions, to one student or a group, by qualified individuals. The third-party English translation formerly on the UAE Government Portal says "outside of school hours" instead; the Arabic is the original. In the Arabic, the permit lets qualified individuals practice private tutoring and earn a direct income; the translation says "qualified educators".

Article 8 applies the penalties of other laws. In the same translation, anyone who gives private lessons without a permit from the Ministry is subject to "fines and penalties outlined in the Labor Relations Regulations Law, the executive regulations, the decisions that govern those regulations, and any other applicable laws in the country". The Arabic names the resolutions regulating the law and its regulation, and all laws in force in the State. The UAE Government Portal says individuals offering private tutoring without a permit from MOHRE "will be subject to fines and penalties outlined in the applicable laws". Neither the resolution nor the portal sets an amount, so this guide gives none.

For a foreign resident, the residence law, Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, adds its own rule. Its Article 5 requires a foreigner "not to engage in any activity or work except in accordance with the legislation in force in the State", and its Article 10 lets the head of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) cancel a residence permit before it expires if the foreigner violates that law.

Families are bound too. Article 7 requires people who use private tutoring to hire only tutors the Ministry has authorized, and to pay the fees agreed between the two sides.

Who Qualifies

Article 2 of the resolution opens the permit to five groups and names no other. If you fit none of them, for example because you are self-employed, ask MOHRE whether you can apply. Article 3 and MOHRE's service card add the conditions.

MOHRE's card lists a good conduct certificate and a medical fitness certificate for every group; Article 3 of the resolution requires them from any applicant who is not employed.

The Arabic version of MOHRE's card makes a valid residence in the UAE a condition for the applicant; the English version states it only for non-national students. Go by the Arabic card: every applicant must hold a valid residence in the UAE, so a non-national needs a valid UAE residence permit before applying.

If you already have a job

Article 3 of the resolution, in the Arabic text, requires the employer's approval when the applicant works as an employee in any sector. The English translation names government and private sector employees. Holders of a part-time work permit are exempt; MOHRE's card repeats that "Holders of part-time work permits are exempt from approval of the employer."

A school teacher's no-objection letter comes from the teacher's employer, and the code of practice adds a further rule: a teacher may not give private lessons to any student enrolled at the school where the teacher works.

If you are on a family visa

People who are not working are one of the five groups, so a spouse or another family member on a family visa can apply in their own name. MOHRE's document list for this group has no sponsor's no-objection letter. The list does include a good conduct certificate and a medical fitness certificate, which Article 3 of the resolution requires from any applicant who is not employed.

This differs from a part-time job with a company. For that route, the UAE Government Portal says a family-visa resident can take up a second job "after getting a part-time work permit with an NOC from the sponsor". See part-time work permit.

School students aged 15 to 18

The resolution calls this group juveniles aged 15 to 18, and MOHRE's card says the student's age "must not be below 15 and doesn't exceed 18". The student needs the guardian's written consent, proof of continued secondary study and the latest school certificate. MOHRE's card also lists a good conduct certificate and a medical fitness certificate for students.

The Labor Law's limits on juveniles, such as six hours a day and no work between 7 pm and 7 am, are written for employers who employ a juvenile. The texts read for this guide do not say whether they apply to a student tutoring for their own income on this permit, so the cautious course is to stay within them. Teens who want a job with a company should read the juvenile permit rules in part-time work permit.

Documents for Each Group

MOHRE's card lists the documents by group. The English card lists these for every group:

• a certificate of good conduct
• a medical fitness certificate
• valid identity documents (passport, residence, ID)
• "Private Tuition Agreement approval"
• a clear color photo with a white background

Then, by group:

The Arabic card's list for teachers does not include the latest certificate or the identity documents, and its lists for people not working and employees ask for the latest academic qualification. Have everything on both lists ready.

What "Private Tuition Agreement approval" means

This is the code of practice. Article 6 of the resolution requires every permit holder to sign the code of practice annexed to it, on the form the Ministry of Education approved. The Arabic card calls the document a charter for private tutoring; the English card calls it an agreement. You sign seven commitments:

1. Disclose any conflict of interest; a teacher may not tutor any student enrolled at the school where the teacher works.
2. Keep information about students and parents confidential.
3. Use no verbal or physical violence with students.
4. Stay away from topics with deviant or extremist ideas that conflict with the UAE's national identity.
5. Form no inappropriate relationship by any means, such as sending students electronic messages or pictures.
6. Avoid any physical contact.
7. Keep a modest public appearance in line with UAE traditions.

Good conduct and medical certificates

MOHRE's card does not say which authority's good conduct certificate it accepts. Good conduct certificate covers how to get one inside the UAE. The card does not name an issuer for the medical fitness certificate either; check what the application asks for when you upload it.

How to Apply

You apply yourself: the UAE Government Portal says each group "may apply" through MOHRE's application, website or digital channels. MOHRE's card sets out the process:

1. Log in with UAE Pass, for the website and app.
2. Submit the application through MOHRE's website or mobile app.
3. The application is referred to the Ministry for checking against the requirements and documents.
4. Any shortfall is reported for completion.
5. Once everything is complete, the permit is issued.

The card gives a completion time of two working days and lists no fee. You can follow the application through the inquiry service on MOHRE's website, the MOHRE app, the call center on 600 590000 or the chatbot. The card names the Ministry of Education as the department involved; MOHRE issues the permit in coordination with it.

Renewal

The permit lasts two years. Article 4 of the resolution says it may be renewed provided the same conditions required to issue it are met. Article 5 says the permit is granted without fees, and the resolution names no renewal fee.

So an employee must still have the employer's approval, unless holding a part-time work permit, and an applicant who is not employed still needs the good conduct and medical fitness certificates. If your circumstances have changed since you applied, ask MOHRE which documents it needs. Once the two years end, the permit no longer covers your lessons until it is renewed.

MOHRE's service card read for this guide covers new permits and does not describe a separate renewal step. Before the two years end, check the MOHRE app or call 600 590000 for how to renew.

What the Permit Is Not

• Not a visa. It is one of the work permit types on the UAE Government Portal's list, for people already living in the UAE. MOHRE's Arabic card requires the applicant to hold a valid residence. Residence routes are in UAE visa types.
• Not a job permit. The permit lets you earn a direct income from your own lessons. If an employer hires you to teach, it has to get you the work permit that applies to it; for a part-time job at an establishment registered with MOHRE, see part-time work permit.
• Not a freelance permit. MOHRE's freelance work permit is a separate type in the Labor Law's regulation, for people who work independently. See UAE freelance permit and freelance and remote work.
• Not a license to teach in a school. The resolution covers lessons outside educational institutions. School teachers are one of the groups that can apply, but the permit adds private lessons; it does not license school teaching.
• Not a license for a tutoring center. The permit covers you as an individual. In Dubai, Article 4 of Executive Council Resolution No. 50 of 2015 says no person may offer training activities to others in the emirate without an authorization from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and a license from the licensing authority. Training activities are training programs in the fields KHDA lists, the rule covers individuals as well as companies, and Article 2 sets exceptions. The texts read for this guide do not say whether private lessons are among the listed fields. If you tutor in Dubai, and especially before you run courses or a center, ask KHDA.

For Parents Hiring a Tutor

Resolution 710 puts two duties on families: hire only tutors the Ministry has authorized, and pay the fees agreed between the two sides. MOHRE's announcement of the permit in December 2023 made the same call to people looking for private lessons.

The pages read for this guide do not describe a public tool for checking a tutor's permit, so ask the tutor to show it before lessons start. A teacher may not tutor students enrolled at the school where the teacher works, so no teacher who works at your child's school can tutor your child.

The resolution does not set rates. What a tutor charges is for the tutor and the family to agree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to give private tuition in the UAE?

Yes. Ministerial Resolution No. 710 of 2023 requires a private teacher work permit from MOHRE, issued in coordination with the Ministry of Education. Anyone who gives private lessons without it is subject to the fines and penalties of the Labor Law, its executive regulation and other laws in force. The resolution sets no amount. For a foreign resident, the residence law also bars any work that does not follow the legislation in force, and ICP may cancel the residence permit of a foreigner who violates that law.

How much does the private tutor permit cost?

Nothing. Article 5 of the resolution says the permit is granted free of charge, and MOHRE's service card lists no fees. It lasts two years. The good conduct and medical fitness certificates it requires come from other issuers, and the card says nothing about what they cost.

Can a homemaker on a family visa get a private tutor permit?

Yes, they can apply: people who are not working are one of the five groups, and MOHRE's document list for them has no sponsor's no-objection letter. They submit a good conduct certificate, a medical fitness certificate, identity documents, their latest academic qualification, any experience certificate, the signed code of practice and a photo, and they need a valid UAE residence permit.

Can students aged 15 to 18 give private lessons?

Yes, with the permit. School students aged 15 to 18 are one of the five groups that can apply. They need the guardian's written consent, proof of continued study, the latest school certificate, a good conduct certificate, a medical fitness certificate and, for non-nationals, a valid UAE residence permit. University students can apply as well.

How do I renew a private tutor permit?

The permit lasts two years and can be renewed if you still meet the conditions for issuing it, with no fee named in the resolution. MOHRE's service card read for this guide does not describe a separate renewal step, so check the MOHRE app or call 600 590000 before the two years end.

Can school teachers give private tuition in the UAE?

Yes, with the permit and a no-objection letter from their employer, unless they hold a part-time work permit. The code of practice bars a teacher from tutoring any student enrolled at the school where the teacher works.

Is the private tutor permit the same as a teaching license?

No. The permit covers private lessons outside educational institutions, for your own income. It does not license teaching in a school, and it is not a license to run a tutoring center.

How much can a private tutor charge in the UAE?

The resolution sets no rates. The fee is agreed between the tutor and the family, and the resolution requires the family to pay what was agreed.