United Arab Emirates · employment

How to Lift a WPS Block on MOHRE Work Permits in the UAE

If your UAE company's ability to issue work permits has been suspended by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), it is likely due to a Wages Protection System (WPS) block. Under UAE law, a WPS block occurs when salaries are delayed, paid through incorrect channels, or inaccurately reported. This guide explains how to clear outstanding dues, submit the correct files, and lift the suspension to resume hiring.

The Law Behind the MOHRE WPS Block in the UAE

Operating a business in the United Arab Emirates requires strict adherence to electronic compliance systems that can sometimes feel uncompromisingly rigid. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regarding the Regulation of Employment Relations (the UAE Labour Law) and its Executive Regulations, employers must process employee salaries through the government-regulated Wage Protection System (WPS). According to Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2022 (as amended by Ministerial Resolution No. 346 of 2022), salaries are legally due starting from the first day of the month following the registered payday in the employment contract.

If your company fails to transfer these salaries within 15 days of the due date, you are legally classified as late. On the 17th day after the due date, MOHRE's automated system electronically flags your business and automatically suspends your ability to issue new work permits. To remain compliant and avoid a block, you must pay at least 90% of your registered workforce through the system each month, with each paid employee receiving at least 80% of their gross contractual salary.

Escalating Penalties and Systemic Roadblocks

When the automated system places a block on your company, the consequences can quickly spiral and paralyze your daily operations. Initially, the suspension only applies to the issuance of new work permits. However, if the wage delay exceeds 3 months, the system escalates penalties to suspend the renewal of existing work permits and levies administrative fines. If non-compliance reaches 4 months (120 days), all new work permits remain frozen, and MOHRE may refer the matter directly to the Public Prosecution for further legal actions.

The frustration often deepens because the MOHRE system does not recognize payments made outside approved WPS channels. If you pay employees in cash, directly via international wire transfers, or through an overseas bank, the electronic database still registers the wages as unpaid. This means you can face a devastating block and heavy fines even if your employees have already received their full salaries in hand.

Resolving Technical Errors and System Mismatches

In many cases, a WPS block is not caused by a failure to pay staff, but by technical glitches, incorrect employee MOL numbers, or a rejected Salary Information File (SIF). If a transfer error occurs, you cannot simply wait for the system to correct itself. You must request a formal 'Salary Period Adjustment' service through MOHRE's approved service channels—such as Tasheel, Tawseel, or Businessmen Service Centres—to match your payment records with the ministry's database.

Navigating this bureaucratic maze while managing business operations is stressful and complex. You do not have to fight these automated administrative errors alone. You can use Caunsel to research specific UAE employment laws, save critical payroll and SIF documents securely within a case file, or connect with an independent legal advisor who can guide you through the exact process of submitting appeals and administrative corrections to MOHRE.

Steps

• Check the MOHRE Portal: Log into the MOHRE mobile app or online platform using your employer credentials to view the exact reasons for the block and the list of unpaid workers.
• Process Overdue Salaries via WPS: Instantly pay all outstanding wages through an approved WPS agent (such as registered banks or exchange houses) using a corrected Salary Information File (SIF).
• Settle Administrative Fines: If MOHRE has imposed any late-payment administrative penalties or compliance fines, pay them immediately through the MOHRE portal.
• Submit a Salary Period Adjustment: If the block was due to system mismatches or legitimate payroll errors (e.g., unpaid employees being outside the country), request a Salary Period Adjustment through Tasheel, Tawseel, or the MOHRE website.
• File a Technical Support Request: If the block is not lifted automatically within 1 to 7 working days after payment, submit a technical support ticket on the MOHRE portal with complete transaction records and SIF receipts attached.

Common mistakes

• Paying employees in cash or through non-WPS channels (like personal or international wire transfers) and assuming the MOHRE block will clear automatically.
• Ignoring minor SIF file formatting errors or failing to reconcile employee MOL registration numbers before resubmitting the payroll file.
• Paying only a portion of the staff or under-paying salaries below the 80% gross contractual wage threshold without approved documentation.

Questions people ask

How long does it take for a WPS block to be lifted by MOHRE?

Once all outstanding salaries and administrative fines are paid in full, MOHRE's electronic system usually processes the update automatically, lifting the block within 1 to 7 working days.

Can I renew current employee work permits while under a WPS block?

In the initial stages of a WPS block (triggered on the 17th day after the due date), only the issuance of new work permits is suspended. However, if the wage delay persists for more than three months, MOHRE will suspend the renewal of existing work permits as well.

What are the compliance targets to avoid a WPS block in the UAE?

Under Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2022, your company must process salaries through the WPS for at least 90% of your registered workforce each month, ensuring each employee receives at least 80% of their gross contractual salary.

General information only, last updated 2026-10-03. Caunsel is not a law firm and does not practise law. AI answers and this guide are not legal advice. Verify filings, deadlines, and statutes with a licensed lawyer in United Arab Emirates.