UAE unemployment insurance for freezone employees: How to apply

A pop-up on the official website for Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) states “Do you work in semi-government entities or companies registered in a UAE Freezone? You can subscribe now by clicking on subscribe here and proceed to Non-Registered in MoHRE.”

The UAE unemployment insurance scheme, which came into effect on January 1, 2023, was made compulsory for all employees in the nation.

However, semi-government entities and freezone employees were previously exempt from the job loss insurance scheme.

The job loss program is designed to provide financial assistance to employees who have lost their jobs. Under the scheme, eligible individuals can receive 60 percent of their basic salary for a period of up to three months.

 However, the amount of support is limited to AED20,000 per month. Those who do not enroll in the unemployment insurance program will be subject to penalties after June 30th.

The cost of the insurance varies between AED5 and AED10 per month and is offered by a limited number of insurance providers.

How to apply to the UAE unemployment insurance scheme

Here are the steps for freezone employees to register for the UAE unemployment insurance scheme via the ILOE mobile application, available on App Store for iOS users and Google Play for Android users.

Step 1: Registration

1. Under the ‘Registered User’ tab on the mobile app, select ‘Non-Registered in MoHRE’.
2. Next, click on ‘Create an Account’ under the ‘Login’ button. A sign up page will appear.
3. Enter your name, e-mail address, mobile number, and your Emirates ID number. Click on register.
4. You will then receive an e-mail with an ILOE generated password on the registered e-mail address.
5. Enter the password on the ILOE app page. You will then be redirected to another page which will ask you to change your password. Once your password has been changed, login using your new password under the ‘Registered User’ tab.
6. Click on the ‘Non-Registered in MoHRE’ button before logging in.

Step 2: Entering details

1. Enter your details – worker name, gender, date of birth, company name, passport number, basic salary, and nationality. The ‘category’ section will be automatically generated once you enter your salary.
2. Before submitting your details, attach a scanned copy of your Emirates ID, Work Visa, or Residency Visa.
3. Once you have submitted your details, your policy will be generated – either one year or two year.

Step 3: Buy your policy

1. Under the one year policy, you can choose four options – Monthly policy, Quarterly Policy, Semi Annual Policy and Annual Policy.
2. You can also buy an insurance policy for two years, which amounts to AED126, with 0 installments.

Freezone and semi-government entity workers have until six months until June 30 to register themselves under the UAE unemployment insurance scheme.

Workers who change their visa or begin work in the UAE after January 1, 2023, will have a grace period of four months.