Sharjah International Airport is getting a major staffing boost. At its weekly meeting on September 22, 2026, the Sharjah Executive Council approved a plan to recruit 150 passport control officers for the airport, with hiring to run in three phases starting in October 2026. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and attended by Deputy Ruler Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi.
For passengers, the move should translate into shorter immigration queues and faster processing — welcome news at an airport whose budget-carrier schedules tend to bunch arrivals and departures into busy overnight banks. The Council said the recruitment responds to rising flight and passenger numbers at Sharjah International Airport, alongside the expansion and development projects currently underway there.
Why 150 new officers are needed now
Sharjah International has been growing steadily as an alternative gateway for travellers heading to Dubai and the northern emirates, and passenger volumes have been climbing. The Council framed the new hiring as both a service improvement and an investment: more officers on the counters at peak hours means fewer bottlenecks at arrivals and departures, and a smoother first and last impression of the emirate.
Beyond operations, the initiative is positioned as a jobs and talent programme. The Council said the recruitment will create employment opportunities and career pathways for Emirati talent, with skills development built into the roles. In other words, the 150 posts are intended not just to fill gaps on the roster, but to build a pipeline of trained Emirati officers for the airport’s future needs.
Three phases of hiring from October 2026
The hiring will be rolled out in three phases, beginning in October 2026. The Council has not published the detailed phase-by-phase timeline or the individual job requirements yet, so anyone hoping to apply should watch official Sharjah government channels for the formal call for applications, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.
If you are flying through Sharjah in the coming months, the practical takeaway is simple: immigration staffing is set to improve, but during the transition it is still wise to allow the usual buffer time, especially for overnight and weekend flights. Travellers planning onward travel can compare airport options in our Dubai International Airport guide, and Sharjah visitors arriving in the emirate for the first time may find our overview of the seven emirates of the UAE useful for planning onward trips.
Khatwa licence: students get a green light for business
The same Council meeting produced a second decision aimed at young Emiratis. The Council approved the “Khatwa” (Step) licence initiative, which lets university and higher-education students run economic activities and develop business ideas while they continue studying. The idea is to give students a formal, legal route to start small businesses and test commercial ideas without waiting until graduation.
Together, the two decisions point in the same direction: Sharjah wants its growth — in aviation, in jobs, in homegrown business — to be staffed and built by its own people. For context on getting between the emirates once you land, see our roundup of the cheapest ways to get around Dubai, and our collection of facts about Dubai for the wider region.
Frequently asked questions
How many passport control officers is Sharjah Airport hiring?
150. The Sharjah Executive Council approved the recruitment plan on September 22, 2026, for Sharjah International Airport.
When does the hiring start?
Hiring runs in three phases, starting in October 2026. The detailed phase timeline and application requirements have not been published yet, so check official Sharjah government announcements for updates.
Why is Sharjah hiring more passport officers?
The Council cited rising flight and passenger numbers at Sharjah International Airport, plus ongoing expansion and development projects at the airport.
Who can apply for the passport officer roles?
The initiative is aimed at creating employment and career pathways for Emirati talent, with skills development included. Full eligibility criteria will be set out when applications officially open.
What is the Khatwa (Step) licence?
A newly approved initiative that lets university and higher-education students in Sharjah run economic activities and develop business ideas while they continue their studies.
Sources: Zawya (via TradingView/Reuters), Devo Dubai.
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