Is it legal for my employer to demand the remaining visa costs after canceling my employment?

Hello,

If your original contract did not mention any visa compensation, then the employer cannot unilaterally impose this compensation without your agreement.

If the employer made you sign a visa compensation paper after you started working, it should be done with your consent and understanding of the terms.

In case of resignation or termination, the employer may ask for compensation for the visa cost if this was agreed upon.

However, such compensation must not exceed the actual visa costs, and it should be outlined in the contract.

If the contract does not mention visa compensation, the employer should not deduct amounts monthly without prior agreement.

However, if a subsequent agreement was made regarding these deductions, it would depend on the details of the contract.

You can contact us via our office's WhatsApp, as we specialize in such matters and can provide you with the correct legal advice.

Dear Questioner,

Good morning!

In the UAE, employers are legally responsible for covering all costs related to visas and work permits. Any agreement requiring employees to reimburse visa costs, even if signed later, is not enforceable under UAE labor law.

Since your original contract specified no visa compensation, and the deductions were imposed later without lawful grounds, these actions violate labor regulations.

You are not legally obligated to pay the remaining balance, and you may also claim reimbursement for the deducted amounts.

We recommend filing a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to resolve this issue.

For further support, email your documents to [---------], and we will assist you in taking legal action.

Mohammad Salah

Legal Consultant

Dear Client,

Thanks for your question! I hope you are doing well. I will assist you in this matter.

No, it is not legal for your employer to deduct visa costs from your salary in the UAE. The UAE Labor Law clearly prohibits this practice:

1. Article 6 of the new labor law (Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021) explicitly states that employers are prohibited from charging workers for recruitment and employment fees, directly or indirectly.

2. Even if your employer included a clause about visa cost deductions in your contract, it would be considered illegal and invalid under UAE law.

3. The employer is solely responsible for bearing all visa and recruitment-related costs.

You are not obligated to pay any remaining balance, and you may be entitled to a refund of the amounts already deducted.

To address this issue, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to recover the illegally deducted amounts and prevent further deductions.

For any further assistance, you can WhatsApp us. We have an extensive team of knowledgeable and experienced lawyers to provide the legal assistance you need.

We will be happy to help you.

Thanks & Regards,

ABDUL WAHIED

Dear questioner,

It is not legal, and you can challenge this through MOHRE.

If you need further assistance, please share your WhatsApp number.

It is likely illegal for your employer to demand payment for visa compensation after deducting amounts from your salary without a prior agreement or contractual obligation.