Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allA company delayed my visa, can I leave without notice period?
1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I joined a company in Abu Dhabi during the first week of February.
My offer letter states that if I wish to leave before one month, no salary will be given, and if I leave within six months, one month's salary will be deducted.
However, the company has not yet started to process my visa, and it has been two months.
Can you please advise if I can leave the company immediately without serving the notice period?

Mar 27, 2023
167
Issuing a work visa after visit visa expiry and overstay
20
Q: I have been on a visit visa. I found a job with a company. My visa expired.
The company is telling me to lie to immigration that they just hired me. They told me that I should cry so immigration has mercy and forgive the overstay.
The manager said that I should go to the airport and cry there. I am Ugandan.
Please advise me!

Feb 22, 2020
4363
How to act against delay of hiring process and threatening to bear overstay penalty
1
Q: Hi,
I am a female physiotherapist and I got a job offer from my facility on October 15th 2020, after which they delayed the medical licensing process until February.
I got my licence activated under their facility on February 21st 2021 and again they delayed the joining process and they asked me to cancel my visa (spouse) on March 21st 2021.
My grace period will expire tomorrow and they want me to take a visit visa now or they will cut the penalty from my future salary. What am I supposed to do?
Also, I am not willing to pay a penalty as it's not my fault and a visit visa can't be taken as my husband has already lost his job.
Please give me an advice.

Apr 18, 2021
481
I haven’t taken a visa or signed a contract with the company. Can I leave immediately?

1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
I am working at a company, but I have my own visa. I want to leave this company because of my studies.
It's only been one month, and I haven’t taken a visa from the company, nor am I under their labor contract.
Can I leave the company today?


Aug 8, 2024
96
Can I back out of a signed employment contract before starting work or visa processing?




1
Q: Hi,
I signed an employment contract but haven't started yet as I am still serving my notice period at my current company. My visa has not yet been processed, and I am still on my current company's visa.
Now I don't want to continue with the other company. Do I face any legal obligations?





Aug 19, 2024
225
I signed an employment contract with a company and the visa was rejected. Can I seek other opportunities?


0
Q: Good day,
Pardon my lengthy question.
I had an interview on 21 December and accepted the offer letter on 26 December. The company claims to have proceeded to process my work permit with me signing the MOHRE contract on 5 January.
I have incurred costs in extending my visit visa since it expired on the 14th of January while attending work. I asked for an update on the visa situation, but they keep saying it has been rejected without giving a solid reason for rejection so we can rectify it.
A search on the MOHRE website shows the contract is there but without my signature and it's listed as "Transaction under process, unattested contract" yet I signed it.
My question is, without transparency from the employer, can I seek other opportunities?
I'm currently legally on a visit visa to avoid incurring losses.
Thank you



Jan 21, 2025
359
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allWhat Happens If I Overstay My Tourist or Resident Visa in the UAE? 35
An interview-format article covering the topic of overstaying your tourist or resident visa in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila discusses the aspects of overstaying, like fines, grace periods, exemptions...etc.
Feb 16, 2020
49289
An 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
92025
UAE Amnesty Scheme 2024: What You Need to Know 16
The UAE attracts a large population of expatriates from around the world for business or leisure. It occurs sometimes that those expatriates violate the rules of their visas and incur overstay fines which accumulate the longer they stay beyond their visa's expiry date. This may result in travel restrictions, banning violators from entering the UAE for a certain period or lifetime. The UAE authorities have now announced a two-month scheme for violators to rectify their situations.
Aug 30, 2024
3605
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • 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
103719
Ministerial Decree No. (764) of 2015 On Ministry of Labour Approved Standard Employment Contracts 5
According to this Decree, tentative approval to admit a foreign worker for the purpose of employment in the UAE cannot be granted until an Employment Offer that conforms with the Standard Employment Contract is duly signed by the employee and presented to the Ministry of Labour.
Sep 27, 2015
5075
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
26820

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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
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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
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After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
- Leave for parts of the last year of your service in case it is terminated before you use your annual leave balance.
Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
Apr 28, 2025
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Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store? 0
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Can I sell branded replica watches online, on Facebook Marketplace, etc.?
Not in a physical store, just online.
Apr 27, 2025
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Can't get an NOC from my old employer. How should I proceed with the new visa? 0
Hello,
My former employer put me on abscond, and I applied for amnesty. I obtained an outpass. However, due to unavoidable circumstances, I didn't travel.
Now I got a job, and my new company is trying to process a visa. Even after paying fines and trying to clear my abscond, they still need an NOC from my former employer, which I am not able to obtain.
What can I do?
Apr 28, 2025
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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
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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
1
After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
- Leave for parts of the last year of your service in case it is terminated before you use your annual leave balance.
Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
Apr 28, 2025
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Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store? 0
Hello,
Can I sell branded replica watches online, on Facebook Marketplace, etc.?
Not in a physical store, just online.
Apr 27, 2025
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Can't get an NOC from my old employer. How should I proceed with the new visa? 0
Hello,
My former employer put me on abscond, and I applied for amnesty. I obtained an outpass. However, due to unavoidable circumstances, I didn't travel.
Now I got a job, and my new company is trying to process a visa. Even after paying fines and trying to clear my abscond, they still need an NOC from my former employer, which I am not able to obtain.
What can I do?
Apr 28, 2025
19

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Is party C bound by the JV agreement between parties A and B after subcontracting its work to them? 2
Dear Lawyers,
There is a JV agreement between Party A and Party B. An Addendum was made in which Party C was added and subcontracted all its work to both Party A and Party B, forming a wholly separate contract.
There is an arbitration clause in the JV agreement. Is Party C bound by that clause? DIAC.
Sep 23, 2024
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If an employee resigns, are they eligible for gratuity and annual leave? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
What happens if an employee resigns after 1 year and 4 months of service?
Are they eligible for gratuity and annual leave?
Jul 11, 2024
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Is it legal to resign after a recent visa renewal if I haven't been paid for months? 5
Dear Sir/Madam,
I've been working at our company for more than 8 years. Is it legal to resign if my visa was just renewed last March 2024?
My reason for resigning is that the owner hasn't given me a salary since March.
Jul 11, 2024
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Shipping company holding goods due to floods, storage charges increasing. What now? 3
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Seeking legal help for a dispute with a shipping company.
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May 14, 2024
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My employer holds my passport and asks for visa expenses to cancel it. Should I pay? 7
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am an expatriate in Dubai. I joined a company in Dubai, and my contract started in November 2023. It is a limited contract. Due to some issues with the management, they informed me that I would have to leave the company in March 2024, which I did.
Upon asking them to cancel my visa so I can return home, they said I have to pay around 5000 AED towards the visa expenses. I have asked them for the exact amount, but they haven’t provided it yet.
My passport is with them. I would like to check whether I have to pay the visa expense to them.
Since I am not aware of the formalities, I haven’t approached the Labour Department to get my passport back to leave. I fear they may cause more trouble if I initiate a complaint.
I would like to seek your valuable advice on how to proceed to claim my passport and exit UAE.
Please help!
May 8, 2024
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