Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allCan the employer ask the employee to pay visa expenses upon finishing contract?
8
Q: My two-year contract will expire in July 2021, and I resigned in January with a six-month notice period, as required by company policy.
However, after I’ve sent the resignation letter, they've asked me to pay for my visa. They told me I needed to work for at least 5 years to cover all of the recruiting costs, which was sadly stipulated in my employment contract.
As per my knowledge, employers are not permitted to reimburse any recruitment/visa expenses from employees. Furthermore, I will complete my 2 years contract so why do I need to pay it.

May 30, 2021
2035
Forcing an employee to pay visa costs in case of resignation before visa expiration
15
Q: Hi,
In my offer letter, which I signed, it is written that the visa cost of AED 5000 will be incurred if the employee leaves before visa expiration.
After 6 months, I have given resignation with two months’ notice period according to my unlimited term employment contract.
Do I have to give AED 5000 as a visa penalty?
My boss says that he won’t accept my resignation until I pay the company 5000 AED. It has been 16 days since he didn't accept my resignation.
He is forcing me to give 5000 AED and threatened to ban me if I do not pay. Can I go to MOHRE?
If I launch a complaint to MOHRE and the matter is still not resolved and it is referred to the court, do I have to hire a lawyer then?

Dec 2, 2019
3039
Recovering visa costs from an employee upon resignation
3
Q: Hi,
One of my employees, who has been with us for the past 2 years and 4 months, decided to resign.
The thing is we have just renewed her visa and it has only been 4 months. I know we cannot legally ask her to recover the visa cost, but is there a way we can make up for that loss?

Nov 17, 2021
2138
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allProvisions of Limited and Unlimited Labour Contracts in the UAE Labour Law 147
When an employee or employer mentions legal issues related to their labour relationship, the first question to be raised is: do you have a limited or unlimited labour contract? We try here to shed light on the relevant provisions of the limited and unlimited contracts in the UAE labour law pertaining to resignation, termination of employment, notice period and calculation of the end of service benefits.
Jan 5, 2019
83134
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
103745
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
12458
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
26901

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I own a property in Dubai and we issued a 90-day notice to the tenant to advise of the rent increase.
The tenant accepted and confirmed they would be renewing the tenancy agreement.
Before they signed the new tenancy agreement they moved out without giving any notice.
What are my rights in this scenario?
Aug 28, 2024
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Will my fees be refunded if I close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone? 1
Dear Lawyers,
If I want to close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone, will my fees be refunded to me?
Aug 12, 2024
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As a partner who loaned money to the company, should I sue the company or my partner? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I am a 50% partner in a company. I had given a 2M AED loan to the company about 10 years ago. There are expert reports and bank records to prove the loan.
The company does not have any bank balances or assets. Should I start a lawsuit against the company and demand 2M AED, or should I start a lawsuit against the other 50% partner and demand 1M AED?
One benefit of suing the company is that I can obtain an acknowledgment of debt, and later in an execution case, I can issue a certificate of solvency to have the other partner arrested.
However, suing the other 50% partner directly would include their name in the executive writ. Please guide me!
(I believe all necessary legal information is provided here. If something is missing, I can provide additional details here.)
Aug 14, 2024
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How can I withdraw my case to release someone arrested for harassment? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to withdraw a case against someone who harassed me. She has now been arrested and held at the police station for 4 days.
How can I withdraw the case so she can be released?
Jun 29, 2024
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What happens next after a DUI arrest and vehicle impound? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I was caught drinking and driving (no accident). They held me in prison for one day, then I signed some papers and they released me.
They also gave me a vehicle impound paper and asked me to come on Monday with my car registration and license.
Do you have any information on what will happen next?
Jul 23, 2024
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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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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.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
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.
Apr 30, 2025
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After closing the company, can an investor stay in the UAE until the residence visa expires? 0
Hello,
An investor has a residence visa valid until February 2027; however, he wishes to close the company before the current license expires in December 2025.
Can the investor still legally reside in the UAE until the residence visa expires?
Apr 29, 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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What can a company do if an employee agrees to stay but then stops reporting to work? 0
Hello,
My employee provided a resignation. Our company offered a salary raise and made a deal with him where he agreed to continue with us, but it’s not on paper.
He suddenly stopped coming to work, stating he doesn’t want to work anymore.
What rights do we have as a company, and what can we do about it?
Apr 30, 2025
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