If you work in the UAE, you’ve likely heard about the new unemployment insurance requirement – officially known as the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) insurance scheme.
Keeping up with this mandatory scheme is crucial. Missing the subscription or payment deadlines can result in penalties, which is where ILOE Quick Pay comes in.
ILOE Quick Pay is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s (MOHRE) convenient online service to quickly pay your unemployment insurance contributions or fines.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what ILOE Quick Payment is, how to use it, and how to pay ILOE insurance step-by-step, so you can stay compliant and avoid fines.
Understanding the UAE ILOE Unemployment Insurance Scheme
The Unemployment Insurance Scheme (ILOE) was introduced in the UAE on January 1, 2023, as a social security program to protect employees in case of involuntary job loss.
Under this scheme, if you lose your job for reasons beyond your control (not including resignation or disciplinary dismissal), you can receive monthly cash compensation of 60% of your basic salary (capped at AED 10,000–20,000) for up to 3 months while you search for new employment.
This provides a vital safety net to help cover living expenses during unemployment.
Who needs to subscribe? Participation in ILOE insurance is mandatory for all employees in the federal government and private sectors (including most free zone companies) in the UAE.
This encompasses both Emiratis and expatriate workers. Exemptions apply only to certain groups:
- Investors and business owners who own their company’s license,
- Domestic workers,
- Employees on temporary contracts,
- Juveniles under 18, and r
- Retirees receiving a pension who have started a new job.
If you fall under an exempt category, you are not required to enroll in the scheme. For the vast majority of employees, however, ILOE enrollment is compulsory, and failure to comply has consequences.
How much does it cost? The insurance premium is very affordable and is split into two categories based on your salary level:
- Category A: For employees with a basic salary up to AED 16,000, the premium is AED 5 per month (approximately AED 60 yearly). This category’s maximum monthly unemployment benefit is AED 10,000.
- Category B: For those with a basic salary above AED 16,000, the premium is AED 10 per month (around AED 120 yearly). This category offers up to AED 20,000 per month in benefits.
You can choose to pay the premium monthly, quarterly, or annually (upfront for 1 or 2 years). Maintaining continuous coverage (at least 12 consecutive months of contributions) is required to claim any benefits if you lose your job.
The key is to keep up with your payment schedule, so your insurance remains active, and you avoid any penalties.
Why Compliance Matters: Fines and Consequences for Not Paying ILOE
Because the ILOE scheme is mandatory, the UAE government has put strict rules in place to ensure everyone subscribes and pays their premiums.
If you ignore the requirements, hefty fines can apply, and these can affect your legal standing as an employee in the UAE.
Let’s break down the penalties:
- Fine for not subscribing on time: October 1, 2023, was the deadline for all eligible workers to enrol in the ILOE scheme. If you missed this deadline and failed to subscribe, you incur a one-time AED 400 fine.
- Fine for missing premium payments: Even after subscribing, you must keep paying your premiums on schedule (whether monthly or in a lump sum for the chosen policy period). If an insured worker fails to pay the insurance premiums for more than 3 months past the due date, an AED 200 fine is applied.
In addition, the insurance policy will be cancelled until the dues and fine are cleared, meaning you lose your coverage.
- Additional penalties for continued non-compliance: If fines are not settled promptly, the situation can worsen. Workers who don’t pay their outstanding fines within 3 months of them being due may face administrative actions.
These include being denied new work permits (essentially blocking visa/work visa renewal or job change) until fines are paid.
The law even allows the fines to be deducted from your wages or end-of-service gratuity via the Wages Protection System if you don’t pay them yourself. In other words, the authorities will ensure the fines are recovered one way or another.
- Other consequences: Being non-compliant with the unemployment insurance requirements can tarnish your employment record.
It’s been indicated that failure to have the ILOE insurance might lead to issues with labor card renewals or other official transactions until you sort it out.
As we can see, it’s not worth risking these penalties. A fine of AED 400 or AED 200 may not seem huge, but the resulting administrative blocks – like not being able to get a new work visa – can seriously impact your livelihood.
The good news is that the process to check for and pay any ILOE fines is straightforward. MOHRE has provided the ILOE Quick Pay system to make compliance as easy as a few clicks.
By using ILOE Quick Pay, you can stay ahead of any fines and keep your insurance active, ensuring you remain protected and penalty-free.
Important: In special cases, if you believe you were wrongly fined or you belong to an exempt category, MOHRE allows workers to apply for exemption or a fine waiver. You would need to submit a request (with supporting documents) through the official channels (the MOHRE app, website, or service centers).
The authorities will review the case and typically respond within 15 working days. However, unless you qualify for an exemption, your best course is to pay the fine promptly to avoid compounding issues.
Now that we understand the stakes, let’s look at what ILOE Payment is and how it works to help you manage your payments easily.
What Is ILOE Quick Pay?
ILOE Quick Pay is an online service provided by MOHRE to facilitate fast payment of ILOE insurance premiums and fines.
Think of it as a shortcut for handling your unemployment insurance obligations – instead of navigating through multiple forms or visiting an office, you can use Quick Pay to instantly check your status and make payments online.
Key features of ILOE Quick Pay include:
- Instant fine lookup: With just your identification details (such as Emirates ID number, Unified ID, or labor card number), the system can quickly pull up any outstanding ILOE fine linked to your profile. This is extremely handy for those who are unsure if they have been fined or not.
- Quick payment processing: As the name suggests, ILOE fast Pay makes the payment process fast and simple. You can complete the whole transaction in a few minutes.
The interface will guide you to enter any required info (like contact details) and then take you to the payment gateway to pay by card.
- 24/7 accessibility: The Quick Pay portal is available around the clock. Whether it’s after office hours, a weekend, or a public holiday, you can still log in and pay your insurance fee or fine at your convenience.
- Ease of use: The system is designed to be straightforward. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, the steps are simple (as we’ll outline below). Many users find it more convenient than using other channels.
The MOHRE mobile app also integrates the ILOE Pay feature, essentially bringing this service to your phone for on-the-go payments.
- Secure transactions: Backed by MOHRE, the Quick Pay platform uses secure methods (including UAE Pass login for verification and OTP for payment confirmation) to protect your personal data and payment details.
It’s a government-authorized channel, so you can trust that your payment is going directly to the official system.
- Avoiding additional late fees: By using Quick Pay to settle fines or premiums on time, you prevent further late fees or penalties from accruing.
Essentially, Quick Pay helps you nip any issues in the bud as soon as you’re aware of them.
How to Pay ILOE Insurance (or Fines) Online: Step-by-Step Guide
Paying your ILOE insurance contribution or an outstanding fine can be done in two primary ways: through the MOHRE online portal (website) or via the MOHRE smart phone app.
Both methods utilize the ILOE Quick Pay service. Below, we break down each method with clear steps.
Paying via MOHRE Website (ILOE Portal)
If you prefer using a computer or the web browser on your phone, the MOHRE website’s Quick Pay portal is very straightforward.
You do not need to log into any account; you can use the Quick Pay service directly with your details. Here’s how:
- Go to the official ILOE page: Visit the MOHRE website and find the ILOE Payment service. The direct link is on the MOHRE eServices portal under “ILOE Quick Pay.”
You can also access it by navigating to MOHRE’s website (www.mohre.gov.ae) and looking for the “ILOE Fine Quick Pay” option.
- Enter your identification details: On the ILOE page, you will see a dropdown menu labeled “Search For” where you can choose the type of ID to use.
Select one of the following:
- Emirates ID (EIDA) – the number on your Emirates ID card.
- Unified Number (UID) – the unified identification number (usually on your visa page).
- Labor Card Number – your work permit number (also sometimes called Personal Work Card no.).
- Person Code – a 14-digit number found on your labor card or contract.
After selecting the ID type, enter the corresponding number in the field provided. Double-check that the number is correct, then click the “Search” button.
- Verify with OTP (if prompted): For security, the system might prompt you with an OTP (one-time password) verification.
This means a code is sent to your registered mobile number (the one linked to your MOHRE or UAE Pass records). Enter the OTP code when you receive it to proceed.
(Note: If your mobile number isn’t up-to-date in the system, you might need to update that through MOHRE first. Typically, most people who have their Emirates ID linked to UAE Pass will get the OTP on the number registered with UAE Pass.)
- View your ILOE fine information: Once you pass any verification, the page will display fine information if there are any fines due.
This section will show details like your name, your employer (establishment) name, and the fine amount in AED.
- Enter contact details and proceed to payment: If a fine is listed and you are ready to pay, scroll down to the payment section.
The system will ask for a mobile number and email address (for sending the payment receipt).
Your number might be pre-filled after OTP verification, but you can adjust if needed. Enter your email to receive the receipt. Then click the “Pay” button to continue.
This will usually redirect you to a secure payment gateway.
- Pay the amount due: On the payment gateway, choose your payment method (credit card or debit card, for instance) and complete the payment of the fine.
There is no extra fee for using the online payment. Follow the prompts to authorize the payment (you might have to enter your card OTP or 3D secure verification from your bank).
- Confirmation: After successful payment, you should see a confirmation on the screen. The fine will be cleared from your record typically within one working day (often instantly or within minutes).
A payment receipt will be sent to the mobile number and email you provided, for your records. You have now paid your ILOE dues and are back in compliance!
Using the MOHRE website is that easy. There’s no need to log into a personal account or navigate through menus – the Quick Pay tool jumps straight to the important part.
This is ideal for a one-time fine payment or checking your status quickly. Next, let’s see how it works on the mobile app, which is quite similar with a few interface differences.
Paying via MOHRE Mobile App (ILOE on App)
MOHRE’s smartphone application provides all e-services in your pocket, including ILOE Quick Pay.
If you’re more comfortable using your phone, follow these steps:
- Install and open the MOHRE app: If you haven’t already, download the “MOHRE UAE” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
After installing, open the app and sign in with your UAE Pass account.
UAE Pass is the national digital ID – logging in with it will verify your identity to the app. (If you don’t have UAE Pass yet, you can register for it first. The app will guide you, and you’ll need your Emirates ID handy.)
- Navigate to ILOE Quick Pay: Once logged in, the app’s home screen will display various services. Look for the option labeled “ILOE Quick Pay” and tap it.
This might be under a section for employee services. On some app versions, you might first select “Employee” as your role and possibly enter your labor card number to customize services– but usually, simply tapping ILOE Pay will get you to the next step.
- Enter your details to search: Just like on the website, the app will ask you to select a search option and input an ID number. You’ll see choices such as Emirates ID number, Unified ID, Labor card number, or Personal code.
Pick the one most convenient for you (Emirates ID is common) and type in the number. Then tap the “Search” button.
- View fine status: The app will now display your ILOE status or any fines due. If all is well, it may say you have no fines and your insurance is in order.
If there is an outstanding fine (or multiple fines), it will list them, showing the fine amount, date, and description.
- Proceed to payment: You’ll see an option to Pay against the fine. Tap the pay button and the app will prompt you to confirm the amount. It will then ask for payment details.
You can typically pay by card directly in the app (it might integrate with a secure payment gateway or Apple/Google Pay if available).
Follow the prompts to complete the transaction, just as you would with any mobile payment.
Confirmation and receipt: After payment, the app should show a confirmation message that your payment was successful.
You may get a reference number or receipt within the app. Additionally, since you’re logged in via UAE Pass, your registered email might get a receipt as well.
The fine will be cleared from MOHRE’s system within a short time (often within one working day, if not instantly). You can always re-check via the Quick Pay service to ensure the fine no longer appears.
