H.E. Al Owais began his career in the Federal Government in 2006 as the UAE's Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development. In 2011, he assumed the additional role of acting Minister of Health while retaining his previous position, which he held until 2013, when he was appointed as the Minister of Health.

In 2016, there was a ministerial reshuffle, and the Ministry of Health was renamed to the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP), expanding Al Owais's responsibilities to include the prevention and protection of society from diseases, as well as regulating the health sector.

In October 2017, Al Owais was appointed Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs following a restructuring of the UAE Cabinet.

Apart from his ministerial duties, Al Owais holds many other senior positions in various government bodies and institutions to name a few:

• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center.
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences

H.E. Al Owais is also a board member of several councils:

• The board of trustees of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, since 1992
• Frontline Heroes Office
• UAE Genomics Council

H.E. Al Owais received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sharjah in June 2020 after a decision was issued by the University President, H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.  

Additionally, in March 2022, he was bestowed with the Mohammed bin Rashid Sash as part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Government Excellence Award. This prestigious award is granted to a select group of Emiratis who have made significant contributions to the UAE and positively impacted people's lives.

Al Owais earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Information Systems from the United Arab Emirates University in 1989. Alongside his government duties, he is well-known for his passion for culture and the arts, particularly photography, Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and modern Arabic fine arts.