Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
5 available 5 • 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
My Golden Visa application got accepted and my employer refuses to cancel my visa. What to do?


3
Q: Hello,
My current visa is sponsored by the company I work for. I applied for a Golden Visa and was accepted.
My company is delaying canceling my current visa, which means there is a high chance I will go past my 30-day application timeline.
Is there anything I can do?



Apr 11, 2023
1990
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
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
Do I need a work permit to work in the UAE if I have a Golden Visa?

3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope you are well!
I am a Golden Visa holder under the category of Artist. I am currently working as a freelancer with a Sole Professional Licence issued by DDA Media City.
I have spoken with the GDRFA and they have informed me that as a golden visa holder, I do not require any additional permits or licenses to legally work in the UAE as a freelancer.
Is this true and are there any limitations if I do not have a work permit in addition to my Golden Visa?
Thank you in advance!


Sep 28, 2023
1631
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
92357
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
26908
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
103746
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

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Hello,
Kindly advise how to renew a company's trade license without an Ejari when there is a disagreement with the landlord over the rental contract.
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Can my company stop me from leaving due to health issues unless I pay a penalty? 0
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Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
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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.
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What happens if the current tenant refuses to move and continues to stay on the premises? 0
Hi there,
If I switch/onboard a different/new tenant to the apartment that I own, how much notice should I give them?
The Ejari ends in October 2025, and I would like to have a different tenant after that. Do I need to give him 12 months’ notice for eviction?
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A firm took payment but didn’t ship cargo or refund. Can we file a case? 0
Hello,
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Bought a used car with a tampered odometer. What legal steps can I take now? 0
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Can I petition for immediate eviction due to tenant violations and refusal to vacate after notice? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I have a question regarding an immediate eviction petition to the Urgent Judge. The tenant did not return the apartment on 26 January 2025, despite a 12-month legal notice that ended on 25 January 2025.
The tenant rejected all gas and fire prevention maintenance for 12 months. Al-Fanar Gas submitted a report with the tenant's signature and refusal after the tenant broke the gas detector.
The apartment was sold, and the new owner gave the tenant 90 days' notice. The tenant refused to show the new owner the apartment and ran away, according to building management.
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A contractor did waterproofing on my roof but water leaked and made damages. What can I do? 0
A contractor recently did waterproofing on my townhouse roof and confirmed a warranty of 5 years (on WhatsApp). The payment receipt and invoice are available.
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Is there any way I can get my money back?
Dec 26, 2024
66
How can I exit a partnership linked to an expired license and accumulating fines? 1
Good Day!
I am a partner in a trading license with two other individuals. Both of them were managing the business together as a cash-based operation without a bank account, while I was working elsewhere as an employee.
Now, one of the partners has passed away, and his parents are in conflict with the remaining partner, claiming he owes them money. However, the surviving partner insists that no money is owed and that everything is settled.
The license has now expired and cannot be renewed because the deceased partner’s family is not cooperating, leading to fines due to the inability to renew it.
Additionally, the remaining partner continues to conduct the same business, occasionally purchasing items under the company name.
As I am a low-salaried individual and cannot afford court fees, is there a way to remove myself from this situation, or are there any authorities who can assist me in this matter?
I am willing to help and provide whatever is required as evidence in this case.
Please advise!
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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
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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?
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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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