Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allChanging the current residence visa to a golden residence visa
12
Q: Hi there,
Recently, I was granted a golden residence visa. For that, I need to cancel my current residence visa and change it to a golden visa.
What are the issues I have to take care of in terms of working during this process until the new visa and labor card are processed?
Please advise!

Apr 27, 2021
5745
Am I required to cancel my labor contract before applying to the Golden Visa?
2
Q: Hello,
I am in the process of applying for a golden visa (I am a Doctor).
My question is do I have to cancel my labour contract? And if I do, what are the pros and cons of doing this?
Thank you

Sep 2, 2021
2459
Can I change my current visa without terminating my labor contract?
1
Q: Dear Sir,
Regarding the golden visa, I applied and got approval.
My question is, without the cancellation of the labor contract from the present company, can I cancel my present visa?
Is there any option for canceling the visa except holding the labor contract?
Kindly advise.
Thanks & Regards,
J. C. J.

Jul 27, 2022
1215
Will I get a labor ban if I cancel my newly issued freelance visa to take a job offer?
0
Q: Good day,
I recently took a freelance visa (2 years) from a Business Center in Dubai approximately 2 months back.
Now I got a job offer letter in Dubai Production City (Freezone). The company is saying me to cancel the freelance visa as they will provide a company visa for me.
Will I get a labor ban if I cancel now because I took the visa 2 months ago?

May 30, 2023
283
Will a golden visa remain valid in case of resignation from a job in Dubai?


1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a golden visa that was issued on the basis of my being an executive.
I have recently been offered work in Saudi Arabia, but I want to remain living in Dubai, as my family is working and attending school here.
If I cancel my current labor contract through resignation, what happens to my golden visa?
Does it remain valid for the remainder of its 10-year term?



Jun 22, 2023
2660
Do golden visa holders need permission from employers to start their own company?


2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a golden visa holder and currently hold a work permit from a free zone company. I am planning to start my own free zone company.
Is it possible for me to work for both companies?
Do I need permission from my current employer to start my own company?
Please advise!



Aug 8, 2023
1738
Can I apply for a golden visa during my notice period after resigning?



3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to know if I can apply for a Golden Visa despite having resigned and currently serving a notice period.




Mar 6, 2024
411
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
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
92373
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
26910
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
103747
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
12459

Premium
Other answers by
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
12
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
17
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
40
How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.
Apr 30, 2025
21
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
41

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
8
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
12
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
17
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
40
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
41

Other answers by
إمكانية المطالبة بالمستحقات العمالية بناءً على الراتب الفعلي وليس المكتوب في العقد 1
السلام عليكم،
أعمل في شركة في العين مند ثلاث سنوات ونصف "منها سنة وعشرة أشهر إقامة تابعة للشركة" وما تبقى كنت أعمل بالإعارة من شركة أخرى. راتبي في عقد العمل 500 درهم ولكن راتبي الفعلي 2500 درهم.
هل يحق لي المطالبة قانونًا على حسب الراتب الفعلي؟
وهل فترة العمل بالإعارة تدخل ضمن أيام المستحقات؟
علمًا بأنني أستلم راتبي بشكل مباشر بإيصال قبض من الشركة، وراتب العقد (500) أستلمه بنكيًا أو عبر فروع الأنصاري.
Jul 17, 2023
244
Mold in apartment due to construction fault: Can I get compensation? 1
Hi everyone,
I rent an apartment. After two days in the apartment, water started leaking from the ceiling.
It turned out to be a fault in the building's construction, which caused condensation in the false ceilings. When the panels were demolished, it was found that they were all full of mold.
The building manager has started work, but the apartment is no longer habitable.
Should the landlord compensate me for the lack of peaceful enjoyment of the property?
Jul 17, 2023
444
My company is asking us to work 9 hours this Ramadan. What can we do? 7
My company is asking us to do 9 hrs. duty this Ramadan starting last 8th of April 2023 without overtime pay.
And no one from my colleagues wants to complain as they are scared of what might happen.
Just today, my showroom manager is asking me to extend until 12 pm when I started my duty from 10 am and I am fasting.
What can I do?
Apr 13, 2023
572
Can I give birth legally in Dubai if I am unmarried to the father? 2
Dear Sir/Madam,
Can I give birth legally in Dubai if I am unmarried to the father?
Apr 14, 2023
1164
Unfairly fired with demands to repay housing allowance: Is it legal? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
My employer (Federal) signed a 3-year contract with me. They have now given me 3 months' notice, ending my contract in May rather than August, saying that my contract was not renewed.
There was no reason given for my non-renewal. My evaluations have been consistently excellent. Further, they are now demanding 3 months of housing allowance be repaid. Is this legal?
Apr 14, 2023
168
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