Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allClaiming passport from the employer after cancellation of visa
88
Q: My boss cancelled my visa at the immigration and labour. But he did not give me my passport.
He wants 1500 to give me the passport. What can I do, Sir?

Jul 23, 2019
17668
Withholding of passport by the employer and claiming it back
2
Q: My employer has my passport, but they will terminate me if I request it back. How do I go about getting it back without suffering financially?

May 6, 2019
665
Is the employer authorised to hold the employee passport?
5
Q: I want to take my passport back from my employer. I am taking a salary of 1800 and working as an engineer, so why should I keep my passport with them?
I have not taken any advance from the company, but I am afraid to ask them to return it to me.
What to do if they deny it because after asking passport a new issue will be raised and I know they will not give?

Oct 6, 2019
798
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allCan My Employer Hold My Passport? 10
An interview-format article covering the topic of an employer demanding to hold an employees passport. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of LAWGICAL with LYLAW.
Jan 15, 2020
8503
How to File an Employment Court Case in the UAE 36
An interview-format article covering the topic of filing an employment court case in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
May 10, 2021
11345
An 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
93885
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • 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
103829
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.
Sep 27, 2015
12477
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
27373

Premium
Other answers by
Can a company terminate an employee for refusing to do work not in the contract? 0
Hello,
Is it allowed for a company to terminate an employee because the employee refused to do work not stated in the contract?
May 7, 2025
43
How can I change my visa status if my ID is about to expire and the company is blocked? 0
Hello,
My ID will expire on 14th May. The company is blocked.
I want to change my status. How can I do this?
May 9, 2025
22
Can my parents take legal action if I move out without their consent while under my father’s sponsorship? 0
Hello,
I'm 23, female, Pakistani, under my dad's sponsorship on a residence visa for the next 2 years.
During these 2 years, I hope to leave my house, but my abusive parents would raise hell if I even brought up the topic. So my only option is to leave without them knowing.
My concern is: what legal action can they take against me if I move out without their approval?
I don’t want to do anything illegal or risk my residency.
May 16, 2025
12
What can I do if I cleared the travel ban at the police station but it still cannot get a clearance certificate? 0
I had a case at Al Barsha Police Station, Dubai, for one year.
On 22 April, the court announced a verdict and imposed a fine of AED 5000, which I paid on the very next day and got the certificate from DPP, which I took to the Al Barsha Police station and submitted there.
The police officer told me that they have removed the travel ban, and the records will be updated in other emirates within 24 hours.
It's been more than 48 hours now since I applied for a clearance certificate on the MOI app, and it has turned into status "review with the concerned party."
I don't have any other cases, only this case, for which I paid the penalty already.
Seeking expert advice, please.
May 16, 2025
20
What to do if the free zone refused to cancel partner visa for myself and an employee due to license expiry? 0
I received this email response from Sharjah Publishing Free Zone when I asked to cancel the visa for myself and an employee so that we may take up work with a new company:
Dear Valued Applicant,
Greetings from Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
We regret to inform you that we are currently unable to proceed with the visa cancellation for Mr. O*** F***** (Visa - Cancellation - ************) for the following reasons:
1. The company's trade license is suspended, necessitating coordination with the SPC team to address this issue.
2. The company has an existing violation, as B**** W**** M*** has exceeded their visa duration by 171 days. The company must either cancel the visa for the violator or renew it accordingly. Alternatively, late renewal or cancellation fines can be settled through an application on the portal.
3. The E-Channel has expired as of 01/06/2023, and it must be renewed before processing any visa cancellation.
4. The Establishment Card is approaching its expiry date
May 16, 2025
16

Premium
Other answers by
What can I do if I cleared the travel ban at the police station but it still cannot get a clearance certificate? 0
I had a case at Al Barsha Police Station, Dubai, for one year.
On 22 April, the court announced a verdict and imposed a fine of AED 5000, which I paid on the very next day and got the certificate from DPP, which I took to the Al Barsha Police station and submitted there.
The police officer told me that they have removed the travel ban, and the records will be updated in other emirates within 24 hours.
It's been more than 48 hours now since I applied for a clearance certificate on the MOI app, and it has turned into status "review with the concerned party."
I don't have any other cases, only this case, for which I paid the penalty already.
Seeking expert advice, please.
May 16, 2025
20
Why was my first UAE employment visa rejected if there’s no travel history? 0
Hi,
My employment visa was rejected without any reason stated. I contacted MOHRE, and they said it was rejected by ICP Abu Dhabi. I have never been to the UAE or any other country.
This is my first visa application. I am from Pakistan, and I heard there is a shadow ban on some cities in Pakistan.
I contacted ICP, but they said there is no ban on any nationality.
May 16, 2025
17
What is the procedure to stay in the UAE if the medical test showed unfit due to HIV? 0
Seeking legal advice.
I was working in the UAE for almost 12 years, and I am on a visa renewal. However, my medical is unfit due to HIV.
My employer is willing to help me if there is any way to process the renewal of my visa.
What can be the procedure for me to be able to stay and renew my visa and be able to seek medical treatment in the UAE?
May 15, 2025
25
Can I email my tenant the non-renewal notice, or does it need to be notarized? 0
Hello,
If I am to evict my tenant at the end of the tenancy (property in Abu Dhabi), can I send the tenant an email (registered in Tawtheeq), or does the notice have to be through the notary public or registered mail?
Do I need to give a reason for non-renewal?
May 15, 2025
21
How can I lift an immigration ban to be able to process my new emplyment visa? 0
Hi Sir,
I am S. and I am facing a one-year labour ban (as per my knowledge, and the same is mentioned in the cancellation paper too).
Now I have a new offer with [-----] company in a free zone, but things were not processed because of this ban. They asked me for the immigration clearance.
How can I clear this?
My previous contract was under a limited term, so even the salary basis is not helping me.
From other sites, I came to know it is possible, but I still have no idea how.
Can you suggest a solution?
May 14, 2025
30

Other answers by
The tenant's right to refuse visits of potential buyers without prior consent 14
I am the owner and have legally notified my tenant regarding my intention to sell and have given her first right of refusal.
But she is not signing nor allowing me access to arrange visits for other interested clients.
What are my rights / legal steps to force a viewing
Feb 17, 2021
9742
The developer refuses to pay the money back after delivery delay due to force majeure 2
I am seeking legal advice to terminate the contract due to a delay in the project for a period of 16 months only.
The following is the details of the project as per SPA and some givens:
- 30% paid in installments (on time, no delay in payment).
- 70% to be Paid on Handing Over.
- Expected Handing over date: 1st April 2019.
- Longstop date of Handing over: 1st April 2020.
- Actual date of delivery announced by developer: 10th August 2020.
- Notification sent to the developer by myself to terminate the SPA and return the 30% paid amount.
- Developer responded that the notification is rejected as the delay is due to force majeure (Covid-19 Pandemic).
Question:
Do I have a winning case if I filed to court to return the paid amount?
Feb 17, 2021
663
Overstaying because a family member is tested positive for COVID 2
Our residence visa grace period expires soon. Because a family member is positive for Covid-19 and he is in-home quarantine, we are unable to fly within the grace time. What should we do?
Will we be fined?
Please guide!
Feb 17, 2021
841
Cancellation of a property purchase and refund for over-delay in handover 3
Hello
I am contacting you from London. I have purchased a property in Dubai in a project in 2005. We purchased two apartments and today we have not received anything yet.
This construction project is still going on and the developer has changed many times. Another company now runs the project, and whenever I contact them they say it's going to be ready in the next 3-months or 6-months.
It keeps postponing work are currently at standstill. I have contacted them then and the same they're waiting for more information from the Dubai authorities.
Every time there's a different story, and we get delayed. It's now been 16 to 17 years since we have invested in this and I would like to put a stop to this now, possibly get a refund and compensation.
Could you please help me by advising me what my situation can be?
Feb 1, 2021
872
Can a father claim the custody of daughter when the mother marries unfit person? 3
My wife and I got divorced 3 months ago, she has custody of our 6-month old daughter.
She wants to remarry but I disagree with the person she wants to remarry as he has a history of violence and abuse.
Can I have the custody agreement revoked?
Mar 26, 2022
765
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