Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allIs it illegal to hold the passport of an employee?
4
Q: Can a company owner keep my original passport with him?

Feb 2, 2019
1249
Can the employer refuse to give the employee his passport?
35
Q: Good day Sir,
Please, I would like to know if it is legal for an employer to hold his employee's educational certificates and passport after frequent requests by the employee to return his documents?
This has cost me a lot of loss in terms of time and money while doing online courses.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks

Nov 2, 2017
4214
Claiming the passport of an employee from the old employer
6
Q: I want to hire a young lady, but her previous employer is holding her passport.
They are requesting her to provide an entry visa from the new employer (me). An entry visa is when she exits the country, correct?
She will not have to exit if she can get her passport for me to process her new resident visa, correct?
Her old employer is based in Abu Dhabi and they state this is how Abu Dhabi does things.
I am confused because they shouldn't be holding her passport first of all, and they shouldn't have an entry visa to release her passport.
Please advise.

May 9, 2018
2538
How to get the passport back from an employer?


3
Q: Hi,
I want to know how can we take an order on a petition in Sharjah to take my passport back from my employer. And how much does it cost?
My visa is in the free zone but my passport is with the HR department in the head office outside the SAIF Zone.



Sep 8, 2022
343
The previous employer is holding the passport and the EoSB after cancelation. What to do?


1
Q: Dear sir/madam,
My previous employer has already canceled my visa and I have also got an offer letter from a new company.
My previous company is still holding my passport and final settlement. I need my original passport to submit to the new company to start the employment visa process but the previous company is refusing to return my passport and the settlement money also.
The company is saying that I need to change my visa status first then only they will return my passport.
Can you please guide me on whether it is allowed to hold my passport even though I have already given an offer letter to the previous employer?



Dec 8, 2022
216
Does any law allow the employer to keep the passport of an employee?

3
Q: I'm working in a semi-government company. They are asking me to keep my passport under their custody.
Is it legal? Does any law allow the employer to keep an employee's passport?


Mar 17, 2023
328
Can I travel back home if there is a pending complaint against me in MOHRE?
1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I resigned from my company last month before completing my probation period.
I complained to MOHRE about my employer holding my passport, and then my employer filed a complaint against me in MOHRE for compensation of 5,000 AED for training.
Can I go back to my home country if the complaint is still pending?
Will there be any problem with immigration at the airport?
(The complaint hasn't reached the court yet).

Aug 4, 2023
431
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 235
The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.
Sep 10, 2024
93371
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.
Apr 20, 1980
103797
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).
Sep 20, 2021
27188

Other answers by
Can the tenant avoid paying early exit penalty for rent after losing job? 0
We have an existing tenancy contract in Sharjah, but due to unfortunate circumstances of this pandemic, my wife and I lost our jobs.
We already paid until December. Is there a current law where we can avoid paying the penalty of 2 months if we will end the contract earlier?
Oct 21, 2020
400
Travelling to GCC countries while have an unpaid loan in the UAE 0
Hello
Can I have your Whatsapp number? I have an urgent question, please.
Jan 13, 2020
784
Getting a new employment visa while a cheque bounce case is being processed 3
Hi All,
I have an existing criminal "cheque bounce" case under my name for dishonoring loan payments. I'm also a victim of unpaid salaries and gratuity from the previous employer.
However, I have reached a stalemate in negotiating with the bank as they are not interested in accepting the money I could offer in the interim despite having a clear understanding of my predicament.
Finally, I have an offer from a company after all these months and I'm anticipating to accept this offer but I'm yet to resolve the criminal case!
Since the bank is not willing to negotiate, I've planned to pay the criminal case removal fee or fine to the Dubai Police. I know that the bank would immediately proceed with a civil case should that happen.
My question is how long does it take to file a civil case? And can they initiate a travel ban without appeal while filing the civil case in court?
Will it affect my capacity to get a new employment visa stamped and work in the UAE while the civil case is active?
Jan 6, 2020
2068

Premium
Other answers by
Labour rights for terminating a limited contract by the employer 0
Dear Sir,
My company made my position redundant due to the Coronavirus effect. I am under a limited contract.
With the end of service, they gave me one month notice period. Is it right or it should be 3 months?
Please clarify
Apr 12, 2020
671

Premium
Other answers by
My husband sold the house we bought jointlyand took a cheque plus 1-year instalments from me. What can I do? 0
Hi,
I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband.
In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house.
But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India.
The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025.
Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there.
What can I do now?
Help!
May 1, 2025
25
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
24
Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
33
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
57
Can I return to Dubai after 12 years away on a new employment visa? 0
Hello,
I came from Dubai to India on emergency leave, but unfortunately, I did not return. It has now been 12 years. Can I go to Dubai on a new visa?
I have already received a new employment visa from another employer.
Can I return to Dubai, or will there be any problems with UAE immigration?
Please advise!
Apr 30, 2025
26
Get quotes from lawyers
Find the right lawyer for your legal needs.
Submit your request and get multiple
competitive offers from
qualified lawyers.
Popular Q&A
View all Looking for something else?
Ask for advice from a lawyer