The tutor permit
Is private tutoring legal in Dubai? The permit, explained
The short answer
Yes, when the tutor holds the permit
Private tutoring is legal in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE when the tutor holds a private tutor work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
MoHRE issues the permit together with the Ministry of Education. It is free, it lasts two years, and tutors apply online with UAE Pass. It is a federal permit, issued the same way in every emirate.
The official UAE Government portal is plain about the other side: people who offer private tutoring without a permit from MoHRE face fines and penalties under the applicable laws. It does not publish a single fine amount, so neither do we.
The facts
What the permit actually is
- 01
Who issues it
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, together with the Ministry of Education.
- 02
What it costs
Nothing. MoHRE lists the service with no fees.
- 03
How long it lasts
Two years.
- 04
How long it takes
MoHRE lists two working days once the conditions and documents are complete.
- 05
How tutors apply
Log in with UAE Pass on the MoHRE website or app, then submit the application with the documents for your group.
- 06
How the work can be arranged
MoHRE lists full-time, part-time, temporary, flexible and remote work.
Who can apply
Four groups can apply
- 01
Students
University students, and school students aged 15 to 18. Students add proof that they are enrolled and a no-objection letter from their guardian.
- 02
People not currently working
With their latest qualification and, if they have one, an experience certificate.
- 03
Employees in other sectors
With a no-objection letter from their employer. MoHRE exempts holders of a part-time work permit from the employer’s approval.
- 04
Teachers at government or private schools
With a no-objection letter from their school.
Every applicant also needs a certificate of good conduct, a medical fitness certificate, valid ID, approval of the private tutoring charter and a photo on a white background. Applicants who are not UAE nationals need a valid residence visa.
For parents
Three things to check
- 01
Ask to see the permit
Before the first lesson, ask the tutor for their MoHRE permit and when it was issued. It lasts two years.
- 02
A teacher from your child’s school
A school teacher needs a no-objection letter from their school to get the permit. In Abu Dhabi, the ADEK code of ethics also stops a teacher tutoring a child enrolled at their own school.
- 03
A company that sends the tutor
If a company or platform arranges the lessons, ask whether every tutor it sends holds the permit, and ask to see it. At Durusi, no mentor begins teaching without one.
For tutors
Apply for the permit, then apply to us
No Durusi mentor begins teaching without the permit. University students are one of the groups MoHRE accepts, and it costs nothing. Durusi mentors are university students and graduates who teach the subjects they did best in.
Become a mentorFAQ
The tutor permit, answered
- 01
Is private tutoring legal in Dubai?
Yes, when the tutor holds a private tutor work permit from MoHRE. It is a federal permit, issued the same way in Abu Dhabi and every other emirate.
- 02
How much does the tutor permit cost?
Nothing. MoHRE lists the service with no fees.
- 03
How long does the tutor permit last?
Two years. MoHRE lists two working days to issue it once the documents are complete.
- 04
Can university students get the permit?
Yes. The students group at MoHRE covers university students, and school students aged 15 to 18.
- 05
Can a school teacher tutor privately?
Yes, with the permit and a no-objection letter from their school. In Abu Dhabi, the ADEK code of ethics also stops a teacher tutoring a child enrolled at their own school.
- 06
What happens if a tutor has no permit?
The official UAE Government portal says that people offering private tutoring without a permit from MoHRE face fines and penalties under the applicable laws. It does not give a single fine amount.
- 07
Do Durusi mentors hold the permit?
Yes. No Durusi mentor begins teaching without a private tutor work permit from MoHRE.
Sources: the MoHRE service page “Issuance of a New Work Permit - Private Tutor Licensing”, in English and Arabic, read on 11 September 2026; the Work permits page on u.ae, the official UAE Government portal; and, for Abu Dhabi schools, the ADEK code of ethics.
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