Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allEmployment clauses obliging employees to pay visa and labour expenses
28
Q: Hello,
I received a job contract and I'd like to know if it is legal in terms of the UAE labour law to put such a statement in it:
"The employee will bear the visa expenses, relocation expenses and all other applicable expenses incurred by the agency during the recruitment phase, in case of leaving before completing the first year".
In case I sign such a contract, will I be legally obliged to pay visa expenses for leaving the job before completing one year period?
Thank you.

Dec 24, 2017
6139
Can the employer ask me to pay visa cost in case of resignation?
1
Q: I have completed 11 months in my current company including 1 month notice period. I have also completed my probation period.
Now I have resigned from my company serving 30 day's notice period as mentioned in the contract.
Can the employer ask to pay for visa compensation?
Is there any such rule?

May 23, 2023
246
Employer asking for visa reimbursement after resignation: do I need to pay?


3
Q: Hello Sir/Madam,
I have already finished my first year with my company and resigned.
My employer is asking me to reimburse the cost of my visa because I did not finish my two-year contract.
Do I need to pay? The cost is 7,000 AED.



Oct 20, 2023
796
I am working in a Sharjah-free zone and resigned two months ago. Can my company ask for visa fees?


1
Q: I am working in a Sharjah free zone and resigned two months ago. My company is asking for visa processing fees.



Dec 1, 2023
629
Employer refuses resignation, demands visa expenses. How to leave?

1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I've been working for a pharmacy in Sharjah for a year and a half. I want to leave to pursue higher education in my home country, but the owner won't accept my resignation.
He told me that I must pay 50% of the entire visa expenses or continue working until my contract expires.
He is also holding onto my passport.


Apr 18, 2024
81
Employer unsatisfied with my work and asks me to cover the visa expense. What now?



1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
My employer was not satisfied with my work and realized this within two days. He said he wants to hire a new person and asked me to pay the visa expense.
I don't have any proof that he terminated me, and now he has complained to the labor office that I am absent without notice.
What should I do?




Jun 6, 2024
80
Our company is deducting visa payments. Is it lawful?




1
Q: Hello,
Our company is deducting visa payments. Is it lawful?





+2
Mar 1, 2025
55
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
90208
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal 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
103588
Federal 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
26348

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Hello,
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time?
Apr 10, 2025
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Can I resign while my new visa is being processed before my first contract ends? 0
Hello,
I am currently working with my company and have one month remaining to complete my first contract.
However, my new visa is set to be processed in a month. Can I resign during this process?
What will happen if I resign at the end of my first contract before receiving the new visa while it is still in process?
Mar 27, 2025
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My husband is taking a loan to get married again while my daughter and I live in a shared accommodation. What are my rights? 0
My husband has a girlfriend/fiancée. He is Muslim now, but when we got married, we were both Christians. So I know that he will not have another wife because it's not allowed in our country and religion.
Do I have the right to tell him that it's illegal?
Also, we have loans here and in our country, and he wants to get a loan just to marry his girlfriend and find a flat for her. While my daughter and I only live in a room with shared tenants.
What are my rights?
Thank you so much!
Apr 8, 2025
93
If a bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts. Is a travel ban automatically applied? 0
A bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts due to nonpayment of a personal loan and credit card.
Is a travel ban automatically applied?
I looked on the Dubai Courts website, and it says the judge has issued a “reserved” order for my case.
Furthermore, when the bank emails, they threaten me with a travel ban. So I am assuming there is no travel ban issued (but I don’t know). I haven’t received any notice of a travel ban.
If there is a travel ban, how do I find out?
I have checked the Dubai police app, and there are no financial crimes against me.
Please advise if you know.
Apr 4, 2025
139
Paid 10% for a Dubai freehold flat but can't proceed. Can I get a refund without signing the SPA? 0
Hello,
I purchased a freehold flat in Dubai and paid an initial 10% while signing the reservation agreement. However, due to financial issues, I am unable to proceed with the next payments.
My question is: Can the developer refund my funds? The 10% payment was made to the developer’s escrow account, but I haven’t signed the SPA yet.
I requested a refund from both the developer and the property agent, but they declined, stating that the money could not be refunded. Is there any way to recover my funds?
Mar 26, 2025
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View allHow to file an online defamation case from the Philippines against someone in Dubai? 0
Hello,
I'm currently looking for legal advice regarding an online defamation case. I am a Filipino citizen currently residing in the Philippines. The person I want to file a complaint against is also a Filipino citizen and is currently based in Dubai.
I have already sought legal consultation, but it cost me a lot for just a simple session. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford to proceed with the fees required for sending a warning or demand letter to the person I’m complaining about.
I would really appreciate any help, guidance, or information about possible free or low-cost legal services.
Thank you for your time!
Apr 11, 2025
62
What does Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 mean with exempting supervisory roles from the provisions of the Labour Law? 0
Dear colleagues,
According to Article 15 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (“Executive Regulations”), employees occupying supervisory roles are exempt from the provisions of the Labour Law and the Executive Regulations in relation to maximum working hours only if they possess powers equivalent to those of the employer.
Could you please clarify what is meant by "if they possess powers equivalent to those of the employer"?
Currently, we have heads of departments who report to the directors. Will they be eligible for overtime?
Also, those who have a POA to sign contracts will they be eligible?
Or, those who temporarily replace the CEO while he is out, will they be eligible?
Apr 10, 2025
58
Can I request delaying my visa cancellation due to medical unfitness until I retake my medical test? 0
I got a work permit and moved to the UAE. I had a work permit for 2 months, which was supposed to be changed to residency. But I got medically unfit, and the company off-boarded me the same day.
They gave me a grace period of 15 days before cancelling the visa. In these 15 days, I have managed to get my test redone and am in the process now.
Can I ask my agency to let me stay till I get my reports updated, and not to cancel the visa as it's already in the legal limits?
I entered on 2 March, so my visa expired on 2 May. I have taken 1 test and the results are due by the next two weeks (between 14 April and 21 April).
Can I ask them to hold the cancellation because I am pretty sure my reports will be revised?
Apr 10, 2025
42
I have unpaid bank loan and credit cards in Dubai and got a job offer from Kuwait. Can I go there? 0
I have a bank loan in Dubai of AED 20000 and two credit cards from different banks (5000+5000), and the total is AED 30000.
The liability is in Dubai. I left Dubai 10 years ago. Now I have a job offer from Kuwait.
Can I go there?
Apr 10, 2025
91
نزاع بين شركاء مفوضين بالتوقيع على المعاملات البنكية للشركة بشأن شيك وتحويل أموال 0
زوج وزوجة، الزوجة مالكة لشركة بنسبة 50% ولديها شريك أجنبي يملك بنسبة 50%. الشريك مخول بالتوقيع في كافة المعاملات البنكية للشركة والزوجة كذلك لها ذات الصلاحية.
بعدها، غاب الشريك الأجنبي عن الشركة وسافر. ومازالت الشركة نشطة والعمال لايستلمون رواتبهم والشريك قام بتحويل جميع أموال الشركة إلى حسابه الخاص دون علم الشريك الآخر.
ثم تحصلت الزوجة الشريكة على شيك، فقام الشريك الأجنبي بفتح بلاغ خيانة أمانة واستلم زوجها الشيك.
فما هو الحل القانوني من ناحية جزائية وتجارية؟
Mar 27, 2025
63

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1578 1578 answers •
View allHow much time do I have to start paying after the verdict in the appeal court? 0
Hello,
How much time do I have to start paying after the verdict in the appeal court?
And what's the probability of freezing my account or traffic file if I’m paying?
Apr 11, 2025
69
Can I put a financial guarantee to remove a travel ban in a rental case at RDC? 0
I used to work as a manager in a company, and my name was removed by the Dubai court of execution.
Now, on the paid rent, I got a travel ban, which I objected to at RDC.
The RDC accepted and gave the next hearing date, as I will have all the court papers.
Is there any way to remove the travel ban, as the objections I made at the execution hearing are next month, almost one month?
Is there any way you can put the amount as a deposit, and once the objection case is over, you can take it back?
Apr 9, 2025
82
How can you reach a settlement to avoid legal action by the bank if you lose job and can not repay your loan? 0
My brother lost his job in the UAE 8 months ago and has a debt of AED 170,000 to a bank.
He is finding it extremely difficult to make monthly loan payments to the bank, as he has been unable to find a job even after 8 months.
What options does he have to reduce/settle his bank debt without having restrictions on him, like a travel ban, etc?
Please help him find the best possible solution considering his current financial situation.
Apr 9, 2025
108
My husband and I are Canadian Muslims and he passed away in the UAE. How to open an inheritance case? 0
Hi there,
My husband and I are Muslims. My husband passed away recently.
We have a Canadian will, but I understand that it won’t be honored as I am named the sole beneficiary, and that does not align with Sharia laws in the UAE. He was not a UAE resident but had a small apartment with no Will in the UAE.
We have 3 children. I am planning to go to Dubai to start an inheritance case. I don’t know the exact order of events and what needs to be done first.
1) Do I initiate anything from overseas before making travel plans to Dubai, or do I start once I arrive in Dubai?
Mind you, we cannot afford to stay in Dubai for too long, as the kids have school.
2) Do I need a lawyer, or can this be done by myself?
3) I understand all foreign documents need to be authenticated before presenting them to the court. But I don’t know at what stage I would need these documents authenticated.
I would appreciate it if you could provide a breakdown of the steps, the forms that are needed, and where I can find them.
Thank you
Mar 27, 2025
60
Can the employer ask me for visa expenses if I resign after completing the probation period? 0
I am working in a Dubai private company and I have completed six months of the probation period. Now, I have decided to resign due to a physical problem.
My MOHRE contract mentions one month's notice, and I am willing to serve the notice period, but the employer asks for visa expenses.
My passport was also retained by the employer. How can I cancel my visa by chance?
I filed a complaint at the labour court. How many days does it take to get a verdict?
Apr 7, 2025
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477 477 answers •
View allCan a Muslim man marry a Muslim woman in the UAE law? 0
Can a Muslim man marry a Muslim woman in the UAE law?
Dec 27, 2022
229
How to know the reason for rejecting the police clearance certificate? 0
In case of police clearance certificate rejection, do the police give a reason for rejection?
Apr 24, 2023
851
Can I cancel my house sale contract without extra fees after personal plans changed? 0
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
565
Can the landlord evict me from apartment for personal use if he lives in his own property? 0
The owner sent me a notice by email saying that he doesn't want to renew the contract for the purpose of personal use.
He didn't mention what this personal use means. He already has multiple houses for rent and he has his own which he is living in currently.
Is it legal to evict me?
Thanks
Aug 31, 2023
328
How to know if an offer letter I received from a company in the UAE is legit? 0
I got an offer letter from Al-Haldin Gulf Construction & Petroleum LLC. Can you please advise about the company?
Mar 18, 2024
230
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