Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allWithholding 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
425
I got terminated during probation and can't take a new offer as they hold my passport

1
Q: I'm here in Sharjah on my visit visa, and I got a job in a company. But after 2 months and 19 days, they refused to continue my job.
I'm okay with it, but they are not giving me my salary, and they have my passport also. My visa is going to expire on January 4, 2023, as I already informed them.
I also have an offer letter. what can I do now?


Jan 1, 2023
224
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
674
How do I request my passport back from my employer after many refused requests?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
How to request my passport back from my employer after many requests have been refused?





+2
Jul 31, 2024
639
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
8495
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
93404
UAE Labor Laws; Rights of Employees and Procedures for Termination 2
There are laws and international conventions in place to protect workers’ rights and ensure their wellbeing. Specifically, under the UAE Labor Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), there are established procedures for terminating employment contracts.
Oct 4, 2023
394
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
27203
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
103799
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
12471

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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
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Can I be convicted of driving under the influence even if the alcohol test came back negative? 0
Hello,
I was driving my car when the police stopped me at one point on the road and told me that I was driving under the influence of alcohol.
I tried hard to deny that because I had not actually consumed any alcoholic beverages that day or in the previous three days.
However, a report was filed and a case was opened, but the alcohol test report came back negative. Will I be convicted despite that?
Please answer me. It is urgent.
May 7, 2025
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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
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Can the authorities allow me to leave the UAE on my own after completing my imprisonment? 0
Hello,
Is there a way out or a possibility that the authorities don't deport me and instead give me a time period to leave the UAE on my own after I have completed my imprisonment and paid the fine?
May 7, 2025
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Do I need to inform my current employer 2 months in advance if I plan to leave? 0
Hello,
I am planning to change to another company and I am waiting for the offer. The visa from the current company is going to end in 2 months.
Should I inform them about my leaving? I haven’t received any offer yet, so I didn’t inform them, and they’re asking about the renewal every day.
Is it mandatory to inform them 2 months in advance?
Apr 24, 2025
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كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة.
أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات.
أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع.
شكراً جزيلاً.
May 1, 2025
26
Can my sister file a claim for compensation after a criminal case for sexual harassment? 0
Hello,
My sister filed a criminal case against her employer (sexual harassment), and it is already with the Public Prosecutor.
Her employer refuses to compensate her at all. Can we file a civil claim? When should we do it?
Can we still file a civil claim after the judgment of the case?
Apr 25, 2025
57
What should I do if the company cuts my salary by 60% without my consent? 0
Hello,
I'm a Malaysian and have worked with a company registered in Dubai. I'm based in Malaysia and have been working with them since 2008.
Recently, the company has been facing financial trouble and offered me a 60% pay cut, which I did not agree to. I offered them two options: to temporarily cut my salary by 20%, or to pay me retrenchment compensation based on my contract (which is based on Malaysian law).
Please advise me on my next course of action if the company cuts my salary by 60% without my consent.
Apr 24, 2025
45
What legal action can a company take to recover an amount from a non-paying customer? 0
Hello,
We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date.
We would appreciate guidance on the following:
1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount?
2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)?
3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases?
4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Apr 25, 2025
58
هل يمكن الزواج من إماراتي عسكري متقاعد عالمعاش بدون تقديم موافقه من جهه العمل؟ 0
السلام عليكم
هل يمكن الزواج من إماراتي عسكري متقاعد عالمعاش بدون تقديم موافقه من جهه العمل؟
وإذا تم الزواج فعلاً، هل يتاثر الزوج أو يتعاقب؟
وفي حال لم يقل الزوج مكان عمله، هل المأذون له طريقه ليعرف جهه العمل؟
هل يمكن الزواج عن بعد إذا كان الولي (الأخ) خارج الإمارات ولا يحمل هويه إماراتيه؟
وهل يجب فقط الشهود من نفس جنسيه الزوجة؟ هل هذا شرط ؟
واذا لم يتوفر، لا أستطيع تقديم طلب نهائي من شهود جنسيات أخرى مع العلم أن الزواج خارج المحكمة مع مأذون في عجمان.
مع العلم أن الزوج إماراتي متقاعد والزوجه أردنية (مطلقه مع شهادة طلاق صادرة من وزارة العدل بينونة كبرى) وشهادة وفاة ولي الأمر (والدي) من الإمارات، وفحص طبي من الإمارات.
Apr 24, 2025
38

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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
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai? 0
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?
Apr 28, 2025
33
How can a helper transfer from a private employer to an agency after 6 months? 0
Hello,
There is a helper that I would like to employ through an agency, but this helper is currently under a private contract with an employer. She has been under this contract for 6 months.
How would she be able to leave that job and come work for me under an agency?
Would she need to pay back any visa costs?
Legal advice would be much appreciated.
Apr 29, 2025
24
Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
33
I sent the landlord a notice to renew the lease 90 days earlier as per the contract. Can I change my mind if he didn't respond? 0
I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave.
I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it.
I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract.
I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response.
Now I am wondering: if they finally send back the signed contract after a long delay—let’s say in one more week—and by that time I’ve changed my mind (for example, I found a better apartment or I’m leaving the country), am I legally required to continue with this landlord?
May 5, 2025
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