ILOE Fine Waiver: How to Appeal or Remove an ILOE Fine?
Yes, you can apply to have an ILOE fine waived. Submit a waiver request with supporting documents through the ILOE Quick Pay service on the MOHRE app or mohre.gov.ae, and MOHRE reviews your case and decides within 15 working days. A waiver is not guaranteed as it depends on your circumstances and the evidence you provide.
- Open ILOE Quick Pay on the MOHRE app or mohre.gov.ae.
- Submit a waiver request with documents proving your reason.
- Wait up to 15 working days for MOHRE’s decision.
Can an ILOE fine actually be waived?
It can, but it is a discretionary decision, not an automatic right. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) reviews each ILOE fine waiver request on its own merits and grants it only when the circumstances and the documents justify it. There is no general ILOE fine amnesty, and the periodic fine-waiver campaigns you may have seen in the news are for visa overstay penalties, which are a separate matter. Disagreeing with the fine is not, by itself, a reason to cancel it, you need a valid, documented case.
Set your expectations accordingly: a fine issued because of a genuine error or a documented hardship has a real chance, while a fine for simply forgetting to subscribe is far less likely to be removed. Whatever your situation, the cost of applying is only the time it takes to gather your evidence.
Reasons a waiver may be granted
A waiver request is far stronger when it pairs a clear reason with the right document. These are the situations MOHRE is most likely to consider, and the evidence that supports each.
| Reason for the fine | Evidence to include | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The fine was issued in error | Your ILOE certificate or payment receipt showing active cover | The strongest type of case |
| You belong to an exempt group | Proof of status (investor, domestic-worker visa, age under 18, pensioner) | Exempt workers should not be fined at all |
| A payment failed or was charged twice | Bank statement or transaction screenshot | Treated as a dispute or refund |
| A documented hardship caused the delay | Supporting proof (e.g. medical report, travel record, employer error letter) | Decided case by case |
How to apply for an ILOE fine waiver?
The waiver request goes through the same ILOE Quick Pay service you would use to pay the fine, so start there rather than paying straight away if you have a genuine case.
- Open ILOE Quick Pay on the MOHRE app or at mohre.gov.ae and find your fine.
- Choose the option to request a waiver or raise a grievance against the fine.
- Attach your supporting documents, typically your Emirates ID, passport copy, and the evidence for your specific reason.
- Submit, and wait for MOHRE’s decision, which is issued within 15 working days through the app or website.
If you would rather have it handled in person, a Tasheel centre can submit the request for you, and your employer can also lodge a waiver request on your behalf. If you have not heard back after 15 working days, follow up on the MOHRE call centre, 600 590000. To see the fine itself first, use our guide to the ILOE fine check and payment.
Apply for the waiver before paying if your case is strong, because a paid fine is harder to recover than an unpaid one is to waive. But remember an unpaid fine can still block a new work permit while you wait.
If your waiver is refused: how to escalate
A refusal is not necessarily the end of the road. Depending on whether your issue is with the fine itself or with how the insurer handled your policy, there is a clear order in which to escalate.
| Stage | Where to go | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Waiver request | ILOE Quick Pay (MOHRE app / mohre.gov.ae) | The first step for any fine you believe is unfair |
| 2. MOHRE follow-up | MOHRE call centre 600 590000 | If there is no decision within 15 working days |
| 3. Insurer complaint | Central Bank of the UAE | When the dispute is about how the insurer handled your policy or claim |
| 4. UAE courts | The courts | A last resort for unresolved ILOE policy disputes |
For questions about the scheme itself rather than a fine, the ILOE call centre is 600 599 555. Insurance-handling complaints can be escalated to the Central Bank of the UAE, which regulates insurers, while disputes over the rules of the scheme can be raised with MOHRE.
Paid the fine by mistake?
If you paid a fine you did not actually owe, for example, you were already subscribed or were exempt, keep your payment proof and raise it as a dispute through the same ILOE Quick Pay grievance route, attaching the receipt and the evidence that the charge was wrong. Refunds are handled case by case, so the clearer your proof of both the payment and the error, the better. If the fine returns after you have renewed, note that paying or waiving a fine is separate from keeping cover active, you may also need to renew your ILOE insurance. The full set of labour tasks is in our UAE work and labour guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can an ILOE fine be waived?
Yes, but it is not automatic. You apply for a waiver through the ILOE Quick Pay service on the MOHRE app or website, attaching documents that justify your case. MOHRE reviews each request individually and issues a decision within 15 working days. Fines caused by a genuine error or a documented hardship have the best chance of being removed.
How long does an ILOE fine waiver take?
MOHRE issues its decision within 15 working days of you submitting the waiver request and supporting documents. You are notified through the MOHRE app or website. If you have heard nothing after that window, follow up on the MOHRE call centre at 600 590000 rather than submitting a second request.
What documents do I need to appeal an ILOE fine?
At a minimum you will need your Emirates ID and passport copy, plus the evidence specific to your reason, for example an ILOE certificate showing you were covered, proof you belong to an exempt group, a bank statement for a failed or duplicate payment, or a medical or travel record for a documented hardship. Strong evidence is what decides the outcome.
Should I pay the ILOE fine or apply for a waiver first?
If you have a strong, documented case, apply for the waiver first, because recovering a paid fine is harder than waiving an unpaid one. Bear in mind, though, that an unpaid ILOE fine can block a new work permit while the review is pending, so if you need a permit urgently you may prefer to pay and then dispute it.
Last verified: June 2026
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE); ILOE (Dubai Insurance Company)
