Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allIs it legal for the employer to keep the employee's passport?
70
Q: Is it legal to hold the passport of the employee by a company?
I didn't get my passport back after stamping visa, they gave me just a copy of passport with the visa page.
My PRO told me that all passports should stay with the company and I can receive it back to travel only upon approval of the management.
He explained that this is the company policy and common practice.

Feb 23, 2016
17670
Holding the passport by employer after visa cancellation
32
Q: Does my employer have the right to hold my cancellation paper and passport after they cancelled my visa?
As per my employer, I need to hand over the works properly and get the signature of my project manager.
I already handed over all work to my colleagues and they already signed also, but the project manager won't sign it for no reason.
My visa was cancelled already last May 21, 2018.
Please help. Should I file a complaint against them?

May 22, 2018
8274
Withholding passport by the employer after cancellation


4
Q: Can I sue my employer for not giving me back my passport?
I requested the contract cancellation which I was granted at the labour office, but my employer refused to handover the cancellation paper after I exceeded my 30 days grace period.



Jan 6, 2020
677
Withholding of passport by the employer and the way of claiming it back

4
Q: The reason for holding my passport is that the employer terminated the contract but did not cancel the visa.
How much does it cost to file a legal case?
How long will it take to get back my passport?
Thanks


Nov 28, 2022
430
Legal blog
1 available 1 • 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
8505
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal 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
27416
Federal 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
103844
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
12478

Premium
Other answers by
How to reduce agreed salary deductions if they are too high and affect our livelihood? 0
Hello,
I work for a company in the field of technical works related to interior decorations, and during my work, for technical reasons, some materials that belonged to the company and that we use in our work were damaged, and which should have been secured in a certain way.
My coworkers and I were punished by deducting the value of the materials from our salaries, as the company deducted 15 days per month until the full amount was paid.
The first deduction was made last month, which causes us a lot of harm, as it is difficult for us to face living with the remaining amount.
We know that there was a mistake on our part and we agreed to the deduction, but the amount deducted monthly is half of our salaries, which is a very difficult matter.
If we arbitrate the work and workers in the ministry, can the matter be settled on easy terms with the company, or will our request be rejected?
With many thanks in advance!
May 20, 2025
8
If the Public Prosecution appeals a not-guilty verdict with no new evidence, will it stay the same? 0
Hi Sir,
My husband had a judgment where he was found not guilty, as the misdemeanor court stated that it doubts the charges against the accused and found no conclusive evidence except the statements in the report files.
The court considered this invalid because there was no translator. After this, if the Public Prosecution appeals, will the verdict remain unchanged and be upheld if there is nothing more than this
Can you shed some light from your experience on this issue and say if the result will remain the same?
May 20, 2025
19
Am I entitled to take 15 days' leave immediately after my probation period ends? 0
Hello,
I want to apply for 15 days' leave to visit my family immediately after my probation period ends. Is this legal as per UAE labor law?
Thanks in advance for educating me!
May 19, 2025
20
Am I required to replace an old fridge owned by the landlord if it can't be repaired? 0
Hello,
My rental here in Dubai comes with a fridge and cooker. I believe these to be at least 10 years old. The fridge has now stopped working and requires a part to be replaced.
This comes at a cost of 540 AED, which is over the agreed amount that I am responsible for. My Ejari comes with an extra addendum provided by the landlord, which states:
1. The landlord is responsible for major maintenance of the apartment (namely structural, electrical, and plumbing) exceeding 500 AED + 5% VAT. The tenant is responsible for any minor maintenance as needed as a result of wear and tear.
2. The property is leased with the following assets (fridge and cooker) owned by the landlord in working condition and should be returned in the same condition. Any maintenance required is the tenant’s responsibility.
My question is:
If I'm unable to fix this fridge, do I have to provide a new one? The company looking to repair the fridge is having an issue finding the part needed, as it is old.
May 19, 2025
21
How to clear name and go back if you left the UAE with an unpaid personal loan? 0
My brother had a personal loan of 300k.
He lost his job, and the company terminated him, and his visa was cancelled, so he moved back home in 2015. He is trying to find a job back in the UAE.
Is there any way to get him cleaned, paying the court fine?
The bank he had a loan with has been merged with other groups, and he doesn't know who to contact.
Repayment is impossible without a job, and finding a job at the age of 50 is not an easy task.
Appreciate your advice.
Thanks
May 19, 2025
23

Premium
Other answers by
Can I cancel my house sale contract without extra fees after personal plans changed? 2
Dear Lawyers,
I signed a Form F with a buyer for the sale of my house as we were planning to leave the country. The contract was signed about a month ago, but the handover is not until August.
Due to personal circumstances changing, we are no longer leaving Dubai and would like to cancel Form F.
The Form F contract stipulates that we have to pay the buyer 10% of the purchase value. The real estate agent is now claiming that we also have to pay the buyer's real estate commission and the conveyancing fee.
Our understanding is that the 10% penalty is the only penalty. Which is correct, and what are the next steps to dispute this?
Also, is there any way to dispute the 10% itself under the law due to personal circumstances changing?
Jul 12, 2024
633
How to know if an offer letter I received from a company in the UAE is legit? 2
I got an offer letter from Al-Haldin Gulf Construction & Petroleum LLC. Can you please advise about the company?
Mar 18, 2024
276
Tenant always late with payments, hasn't renewed contract. What to do? 2
Hello,
I have a tenant who is always late with their payment. Their renewal was supposed to be last December 2023.
Currently, they have not signed any new contract, provided any new cheques, and have stayed for three months from December until now without paying rent.
Additionally, I just discovered that they have sublet the apartment with partitions, which is clearly stated as not allowed in the old contract.
Please let me know what should I do legally!
Mar 14, 2024
509
How soon will I receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer? 1
Dear Concern,
How long will it take to receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer?
My last working day at my current company will be on April 7, 2024.
Mar 16, 2024
323
Tenant received renewal notice, rejected proposed rent on renewal day. What next? 2
Hi,
We sent a renewal notice to our Dubai-based tenant 84 days before his contract renewal, with a 10% increase in rent.
The tenant neither agreed nor disagreed with the proposed rent and replied on the day of renewal that he wouldn't be paying the proposed rent.
Due to the argument, the landlord decided to reduce the rent, but the tenant has not yet renewed his contract. It has been 12 days since his contract expired.
Kindly suggest what could be done in this matter.
Mar 12, 2024
320

Premium
Other answers by
Can I appeal a deportation in the UAE if I was unknowingly involved in a crypto scam? 0
Hello,
Please, I need help. I had a case where someone sent money to my account. I was selling USDT, but another person used me, scammed the person, and sent money to my account.
I sent the USDT. I didn't know the person who sent the money to my account, so I gave him the USDT. Later, I was arrested for scam and using cryptocurrency without a license.
The judgment came out: to pay 900 AED, 1 month imprisonment, and deportation. Please, can I appeal not to be deported?
May 20, 2025
12
How many days does it take to be deported from the UAE? 0
Hello,
Sir, how many days will it take for an Indian to be deported from the UAE?
May 21, 2025
5
How to reduce agreed salary deductions if they are too high and affect our livelihood? 0
Hello,
I work for a company in the field of technical works related to interior decorations, and during my work, for technical reasons, some materials that belonged to the company and that we use in our work were damaged, and which should have been secured in a certain way.
My coworkers and I were punished by deducting the value of the materials from our salaries, as the company deducted 15 days per month until the full amount was paid.
The first deduction was made last month, which causes us a lot of harm, as it is difficult for us to face living with the remaining amount.
We know that there was a mistake on our part and we agreed to the deduction, but the amount deducted monthly is half of our salaries, which is a very difficult matter.
If we arbitrate the work and workers in the ministry, can the matter be settled on easy terms with the company, or will our request be rejected?
With many thanks in advance!
May 20, 2025
8
Can I ask the execution court to request MOHRE to seize the labour card of a debtor? 0
Hello,
Seizure of MOHRE Labour Card by Dubai Execution Court
I am an execution requester. My execution debtor has not paid me for the last 12 years after starting the execution file.
Can I request the execution court to write a letter to MOHRE, obliging them to seize the labour card of the debtor?
If yes, from when was this procedure permitted?
May 21, 2025
6
If the Public Prosecution appeals a not-guilty verdict with no new evidence, will it stay the same? 0
Hi Sir,
My husband had a judgment where he was found not guilty, as the misdemeanor court stated that it doubts the charges against the accused and found no conclusive evidence except the statements in the report files.
The court considered this invalid because there was no translator. After this, if the Public Prosecution appeals, will the verdict remain unchanged and be upheld if there is nothing more than this
Can you shed some light from your experience on this issue and say if the result will remain the same?
May 20, 2025
19
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