Can a company still deduct visa change fees after issuing a termination notice?

Dear Client,

Thanks for your question! I hope you are doing well. I will assist you in this matter.

Since you received a termination notice after being employed for less than three months, your employer should not continue deducting visa-related costs from your salary, as these expenses are typically their responsibility.

It's important to review your employment contract and discuss the deductions with your employer. If unresolved, consult with us or contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) for assistance.

For any further legal assistance, you can WhatsApp us. We have an extensive team of knowledgeable and experienced lawyers to provide the legal assistance you need.

We will be happy to help you.

Thanks & Regards,

ABDUL WAHIED

Under UAE labor law, an employer is generally responsible for bearing the cost of work-related expenses, including visa fees and residency status changes.

However, there are instances where an employer can ask the employee to cover the costs of visa fees, especially if the employee has agreed to it in the offer letter or contract.

If you signed an agreement stating you would cover the cost of the visa change, the deduction may be valid.

If the company has issued you a termination notice, they may not be legally allowed to continue deducting from your salary, especially if the termination is initiated by them.

The employer must ensure that any deduction is reasonable, agreed upon, and in line with UAE labor laws.

Check if your employment contract or the offer letter specifically mentions the deduction for the visa change and whether it applies after termination.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for reaching out regarding your situation!

In the UAE, employers are generally not allowed to make deductions from an employee's salary unless they have the employee's consent, or it is stipulated in the employment contract.

However, deductions for certain agreed-upon costs, such as visa change fees, may be allowed under specific circumstances.

In your case, if the employer had clearly informed you about the visa change cost (1400 AED) and you agreed to this arrangement, the initial deduction of 500 AED may be valid.

However, after you receive the termination notice, the employer should not be deducting additional amounts unless this was explicitly agreed upon in your contract.

If the contract does not specifically address the employer's right to deduct costs related to visa status changes, or if the deductions were not clearly stated or agreed upon, the employer may not be legally entitled to deduct further amounts after termination.

I would recommend reviewing your employment contract to check if there is any provision for such deductions in case of termination.

If you believe the deductions are unfair, or if they are not backed by a written agreement, it may be worth discussing this issue further with the employer or seeking legal advice for further clarification.

Please feel free to reach out if you need further assistance or have more questions.

Best regards,

Mohammad Salah

Legal Consultant

The company cannot deduct the remaining amount after terminating your employment unless there is a clear agreement in the contract stating otherwise.

You have the right to claim any amounts that have been deducted unlawfully.

If you need legal advice regarding this matter or any other labor-related issues, feel free to contact our law firm specializing in labor cases in the UAE.

Dear questioner,

As per UAE labor laws, the employer has no right to charge employees for visa expenses.

If you are leaving the employment after properly serving the notice period, you are not required to pay any fees for visa status changes.

Kindly note that if you are leaving during the probation period, your new employer is required to pay for the status change.

If you need further assistance or clarification, please share your WhatsApp number.

Greetings,

According to UAE labor law, an employer is not allowed to deduct any money from an employee's salary without their written consent.

This includes any fees related to visa or work permit processing. Therefore, if you did not give written consent for the deduction, the employer is not allowed to deduct the remaining amount from your salary, even if they have already deducted a portion of it.

In addition, if the termination was initiated by the employer, they are responsible for covering all the costs related to the termination, including visa cancellation fees.

Therefore, they should not be deducting any money from your salary for this purpose. If the employer insists on deducting the remaining amount from your salary, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) or seek legal assistance to resolve the issue.

Best Regards,