How can I register a complaint against my employer for holding my passport after visa cancellation?

Hello!

You can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) if your company is under federal labor law, or directly with your Free Zone Authority (like DMCC, JAFZA, etc.) if you're in a free zone.

Thanks!

Badr Legal Consultants

Based on the information provided, your employer's actions, particularly retaining your passport after visa cancellation and refusing to issue the cancellation paper or gratuity, are not in line with the UAE labour regulations, especially considering you have duly served your notice period and complied with all resignation procedures.

This appears to be a violation on the part of the company. I recommend scheduling a consultation to assess your case thoroughly and take the appropriate legal steps to protect your rights.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your message.

What your employer is doing — holding your passport after visa cancellation and refusing to provide cancellation papers or gratuity — is against UAE labour regulations, even within a free zone.

Here's what you can do:

File a Complaint with the Free Zone Authority:

Each free zone has a labour or HR department. You can submit a complaint directly to them.

Provide evidence of:

Your resignation and notice of completion

Lack of cancellation documents

Passport being withheld

Passport Holding is Illegal:

As per UAE law, an employer cannot hold an employee’s passport without written consent. This is considered unlawful retention of personal documents.

Gratuity & Final Settlement:

You are entitled to your end-of-service benefits, and the employer must process it within 14 days after the last working day, as per UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021).

You Can Also File a Complaint with MOHRE (if applicable):

If the free zone does not resolve the issue, or if the company is under MOHRE jurisdiction, you can call 80060 or file a complaint via the MOHRE app or website.

Let me know if you would like help filing the complaint or drafting an official letter to the authority.

Best regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

We are a team specialized in labor lawsuits.

Reserving the passport is illegal, and an urgent case can be filed against him.

A decision will be issued within 3 days, despite his will.

Contact us by phone.

Hello,

The passport is considered a personal document, and under UAE law, an employer is not allowed to withhold it under any circumstances, whether during the employment period or after its end.

If your employer refuses to return your passport, you have the right to obtain a court order compelling the employer to hand it over immediately.

As for your end-of-service benefits and final dues, you should submit a formal complaint to the labour department of your free zone.

If the issue is not resolved through mediation, the case will be referred to the Labour Court for further legal action.

I can assist you in filing the complaint and taking the proper legal steps if needed. If you prefer to have a direct discussion, please let me know, and I will guide you on how we may proceed.

Alternatively, if you require further clarification, you may kindly share your WhatsApp number here so that I can provide more detailed assistance.

Dear Client.

Registering a Complaint for Passport Retention and Non-Payment of Gratuity in the UAE Free Zone

Your Rights:

- It is illegal for employers in the UAE to retain an employee’s passport after visa cancellation or at any time without the employee’s consent. This is explicitly prohibited by UAE law and the Ministry of Interior Circular No. 267 of 2002.

- You are entitled to receive your passport immediately upon request, and employers cannot use it as leverage for visa transfer or any other purpose.

- You are also entitled to receive your end-of-service gratuity if you have completed the required period of service and followed the proper resignation procedures.

Steps to File a Complaint:

1. Request Your Passport and Documents in Writing:

- Politely request your passport, cancellation papers, and gratuity in writing (email or letter) to your employer, keeping a record of all correspondence.

2. Contact Your Free Zone Authority:

- Since you are employed in a free zone, complaints should be registered directly with your respective free zone authority’s labour or HR department, as they oversee employment matters within the zone.

- Provide them with all relevant details: employment contract, resignation letter, proof of notice served, and any correspondence.

3. Escalate to UAE Authorities if Needed:

- If the free zone authority does not resolve your complaint, you can escalate the matter to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or the Ministry of Interior.

- You may also approach your country’s embassy or consulate for assistance, especially regarding passport retention.

4. File a Police Report (If Necessary):

- If your employer continues to hold your passport against your will, you may file a complaint at the local police station. Passport retention is a criminal offense and can result in fines or imprisonment for the employer.

5. Claim Your Gratuity:

- If your gratuity is withheld, you can include this in your complaint to the free zone authority or MOHRE. You are legally entitled to your end-of-service benefits if you have completed at least one year of service and have not been dismissed for gross misconduct.

Key Contacts:

- Free Zone Authority HR/Labour Department

- MOHRE (for non-free zone or if escalation is needed)

- Local Police Station (for criminal complaints)

- Your Embassy/Consulate (for passport issues)

Important:

Keep all records of correspondence and documentation. If you have not signed any cancellation documents, mention this in your complaint.

You are not required to hand over your passport for reasons unrelated to official immigration processing, and you must receive your gratuity upon lawful termination of your contract.

If you need further assistance, consider consulting a labour lawyer specializing in UAE employment law.

Hello,

Your employer has no right to keep your passport, it's your personal document. So you can file a complaint in MOHRE, as well as other judicial authorities.

And for the cancellation, you can approach MOHRE.

If your former employer has:

- Retained your passport after canceling your residence visa,

- Refused to provide you with the visa cancellation document,

- Failed to pay your due end-of-service gratuity,

- And you have not received proof of your signature on the cancellation documents,

You have the right to file an official complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) through:

- The ministry's mobile application,

- Calling the toll-free number: 600590000,

- Visiting the nearest Labor Dispute Settlement Center.

The ministry will attempt to resolve the dispute amicably within a maximum of 14 days.

If a resolution is not reached, the complaint will be automatically referred to the relevant labor court, without any fees, and you will be entitled to claim all your legal rights as stipulated in the UAE Labor Law.