Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
9 available 9 • View allRequesting staff to take unpaid leave as a result of Coronavirus outbreak

5
Q: Dubai companies are reassessing their staffing levels during the Covid 19 outbreak.
Is it legal to be asked to take unpaid leave?


Mar 24, 2020
1399
Consequences of not exiting the country within 30-day grace period
19
Q: What are the consequences of not leaving the UAE after employment visa has been cancelled but within 30 days grace period?
The employer bought a one-way ticket home under the agreement prior to cancellation that the employee will go back to the home country.
Can the employer file any case in immigration because the employee decided to look for jobs in UAE instead?

Oct 9, 2019
3694
Overstay in the UAE: grace period, fine and immigration blacklist
210
Q: I have unpaid Etisalat bills for 500 AED and a cash advance in DIB, and my visa is already cancelled.
Is there any possibility to exit the UAE without paying for both and for overstay?

Nov 15, 2017
78197
Forcing employees to take unpaid leaves due to COVID-19



0
Q: My company has placed all of the employees on unpaid leave due to the COVID-19 situation.
Can they legally do this without even paying our basic salary or expenses?




Apr 5, 2020
924
Claiming arbitrary dismissal after termination for economic reasons




1
Q: Hi,
I am working in a company situated in the free zone, and due to the economic crisis as mentioned in my termination letter, the company terminated me and gave me a 1 month notice period.
My contract was 3-year visa I finished my 2 years 4 months ago. In this situation, does the company need to pay me a 3-month salary with notice period salary?





Apr 5, 2020
833
Agreement with the employee to get an advance payment on gratuity




2
Q: Dear Legal Advice ME
I own a company in DIFC which is struggling due to the current crisis and employees were given three months notice because the company will probably be forced to close.
One employee is asking if he can take his gratuity early as his wife has lost her job due to COVID-19. Can I legally give him a loan against a percentage of his gratuity?
He has worked for me for 16 years.





Apr 16, 2020
5814
The liability of canceling or renewing a residency visa
1
Q: Dear Mr. Al Banna,
Hope this finds you in great health and cheer.
My residency visa expired on 13.11.2019 because the company was not willing to renew nor cancel my visa.
Can I know who is liable in this case? what would the outcome be?
Thank you!

Apr 20, 2020
478
The liability of canceling or renewing a residency visa of an employee
2
Q: Good evening,
My residency/work visa expired on 13/11/2019, but the employer is not willing to renew nor cancel my visa.
Is the company liable or is it my liability?

Apr 20, 2020
497
Expiry of partner visa while abroad after closing the airport due to COVID-19

1
Q: I have a partner visa in Sharjah. I am out of the country and I want to come back but flights are closed due to COVID-19.
My visa expired on 26 May 2021. How can I renew my visa? Or did the UAE government extend visas?


Jun 28, 2021
340
Legal blog
4 available 4 • View allWhat Happens If I Overstay My Tourist or Resident Visa in the UAE? 35
An interview-format article covering the topic of overstaying your tourist or resident visa in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila discusses the aspects of overstaying, like fines, grace periods, exemptions...etc.
Feb 16, 2020
49319
Is COVID-19 a Force Majeure Event? 10
As the world is currently experiencing a major lockdown and suspension of almost all commercial and civil operations, the question arises in the novelty of Coronavirus outbreak on how serious it is to be dealt with as a Force Majeure.
Apr 7, 2020
2302
UAE Labour Law Update (COVID-19): Ministerial Resolution No. (279) of 2020 22
This article discusses the Ministerial Resolution No. (279) of 2020 Regarding Employment Stability in the Private Sector during the Period of Application of Precautionary Measures to Curb the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus Issued by the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization in Abu Dhabi on 26/3/2020.
Apr 13, 2020
8119
The UAE's Retirement Visa - What You Need to Know 15
An interview-format article covering the topic of the UAE's retirement visa. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 9, 2021
6203

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
21
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
27
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
19
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
50
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
20

Other answers by
Continuing work after the expiry of a limited contract without renewal 34
My limited contract has finished on 07 April and I'm still working and receiving my salary, however, my employer hasn't notified me yet about renewing the contract.
In case he does not renew my contract, am I entitled to receive compensation for not being given an earlier notice for non-renewal?
May 27, 2020
12168
Requirements of starting a platform for posting ads in Dubai 8
Greetings!
I will be running a website (blog-post + classified ads) from home, that provides services and posting ads, and it will accept membership in some countries that speak English.
I am located in Dubai. Since it requires a free subscription, I want to ask if I am obliged to register it as business anywhere to be legal, or if I do not register, I will be asked or arrested for running this website.
The website is under maintenance at the moment, it will be broadcasting after it is completed. Some points I am really concerned with:
1- Do I need a legal registration of the website as a business? If yes, can you help me find out how? If I register in one country - let's say UAE - will it be legal in other countries e.g UK, US?
2- GDPR is really critical point that we have to consider especially for websites that collect info from visitors if required. What are the major points that we have to focus on GDPR?
Kindly help me optimize my website to get rid of any unsuspected legal issue.
Regards
May 14, 2020
2694
Resignation during the unpaid leave period due to COVID-19 2
I am a manager in a UAE company, I have served 2 years on an unlimited contract. I have been instructed I am on unpaid leave for a 3-month period in light of the current situation.
The company is asking me to sign an annexe to my contract that I accept this unpaid leave period. If I do accept, can I still resign during this 3-month unpaid leave period if I get another job?
Apr 27, 2020
2339
Is it legal to give a post dated cheque against the final settlement? 1
I should have my final settlement on May 9 as my last day of work will be May 2nd. The company offered me to pay me in 2 payments.
A bank transfer was made in the 1st week of May and the second 50% in the 1st week of June by giving me a post-dated cheque.
The issue is I didn't plan to stay 1 more month as I should leave the country.
1- Is this legal to offer this kind of payment? What can I do?
2- If I have to stay, they have to pay my expenses (rent and bills) to stay one more month in the country?
Apr 27, 2020
1404
المقصود بحل الشركة ذات المسؤولية المحدودة وآلية ذلك 3
السلام عليكم،
ما المقصود بحل الشركة ذات المسؤولية المحدودة؟
وكيف يتم حلها؟
ومن له الحق أن يطالب بحل الشركة؟
Apr 28, 2020
5576

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
667
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