Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allCan the employer hold visa cancellation and passport to see the new employee's visa?
11
Q: Dear Lawyer,
I'm canceling my job visa with my employer to shift to a new job. They provided me with the cancellation paper.
But they have asked to provide my new visa status change copy in order to release my passport, gratuity, leave salary and insurance continuity papers... etc. Is this legal??
Can you advise me on the same?
Thank you.

Sep 9, 2021
1073
Can the employer force me to sign a statement to deny my EOSB?

1
Q: Good afternoon,
If I break the company regulations and rules and my employer forces me to write a statement and include that if I do a mistake again I will not get my end of service benefits, is it in order?
What can I do if I am forced and write the statement for the protection of my job?
And if the company terminates me, is there a chance for me to get my end of service benefits?
Thanks


Apr 6, 2021
1169
Is the employer authorised to hold the employee passport?
5
Q: I want to take my passport back from my employer. I am taking a salary of 1800 and working as an engineer, so why should I keep my passport with them?
I have not taken any advance from the company, but I am afraid to ask them to return it to me.
What to do if they deny it because after asking passport a new issue will be raised and I know they will not give?

Oct 6, 2019
728
Legal blog
1 available 1 • 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
8429
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
103615
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
12406
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
26447

Other answers by
35 35 answers •
View allIs party C bound by the JV agreement between parties A and B after subcontracting its work to them? 0
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? 0
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
416
Is it legal to resign after a recent visa renewal if I haven't been paid for months? 0
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
1774
Shipping company holding goods due to floods, storage charges increasing. What now? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
Seeking legal help for a dispute with a shipping company.
They are holding onto our goods because, during the Dubai floods, they were closed and refused delivery. We urgently need legal help to resolve this, as the storage charges are increasing each day.
Can you please advise on how to proceed?
May 14, 2024
137
My employer holds my passport and asks for visa expenses to cancel it. Should I pay? 0
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
445

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3191 3191 answers •
View allWhat countersuit can be filed against an employer for a false absconding case? 0
Hello,
What countersuit can I file against an employer who filed a false absconding case against an employee?
Apr 15, 2025
34
Is a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications? 0
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
30
What are the penalties for not returning from vacation after several months or a year? 0
Hello,
Good afternoon!
Can somebody tell me what happens if someone went on vacation and didn’t come back in one month?
What penalties will they face if they want to come back after 1 year or after some months and not to the same company?
Apr 15, 2025
26
What to do if the bank filed case on me using security cheques and executed travel ban? 0
The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.
Apr 15, 2025
10
Will changing the ownership of the company affect my end-of-service benefits accrued for 6 years? 0
My company changed the boss, but the company name is still the same.
Is there any way I can't get all my benefits for 6 years?
Apr 8, 2025
61

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1587 1587 answers •
View allIf an employee is terminated due to poor performance, is he eligible for compensation? 0
Hi,
For the private sector, if an employee got terminated due to warning letters for poor performance issued to him, is he eligible for a 1-month compensation salary?
Apr 15, 2025
27
What to do if the bank filed case on me using security cheques and executed travel ban? 0
The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.
Apr 15, 2025
10
Can a Pakistani expat register a second marriage in the UAE without disclosing the first? 0
Hello,
I want to know the UAE rules regarding second marriage for expats. I am a Pakistani national and already have a wife back in my home country.
Now, I want to do a second marriage in the UAE with a Moroccan girl. Can you please let me know the procedure involved?
Can I get my marriage registered in the UAE? Is it mandatory to disclose the first marriage? I am on an employment visa in Dubai.
Apr 7, 2025
141
Missing business partner since 2003. What to do about his share in the LLC? 0
Hello,
I am a manager of an LLC company with 25% share. In February 2003, a partner joined the company with a 25% share.
After two months, he didn’t like the company and left. After two years, we did not know where he was. We just heard that he left to Tunisia before his visa expired.
What to do with his 25% share, please?
Apr 7, 2025
134
I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. What documents do I need to carry? 0
I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work.
During the travel to Dubai, do I need to show any accommodation proof, return ticket, or anything?
What documents do I need to carry?
Apr 14, 2025
27
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