Questions & Answers
If the company loses my passport, what can I do?
Hello,
If the company loses my passport, what can I do?
Dear Inquirer,
If a company loses your passport and begins to refuse responsibility or cooperation, this is a serious legal matter.
UAE law prohibits employers from retaining or mishandling employees' passports. You may be entitled to take legal action to protect your rights and recover any damages.
To assess your situation and take the appropriate legal steps, we recommend booking a consultation or issuing a power of attorney to our office so we can act on your behalf.
Contact Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy for immediate assistance.
We are happy at Future Vision Law Advocates and Legal Consultancy to assist you and provide the best legal services that meet your needs.
To contact us, you can call or WhatsApp us at: [------------].
Hello!
You have to file a police complaint. You cannot stay in a foreign country without a passport.
Based on the copy of the police complaint, the embassy will issue you a new passport.
Hello,
In the UAE, it is illegal for employers to keep or withhold your passport without your consent. The Ministry of Interior issued a law (Circular No. 267 of 2002) that clearly prohibits employers from holding employees’ passports except for official purposes like visa processing, and even then, the passport must be returned promptly.
If your company has lost your passport and is refusing to cooperate, you should:
- Request a written confirmation from the company about the loss;
- File a police report immediately;
- Contact your embassy or consulate for assistance in obtaining a replacement; and
- File a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or the relevant labor authority.
Employers who unlawfully withhold or lose passports can face fines up to AED 20,000 and even jail time.
If you need help with filing complaints or communicating with the authorities, I am here to assist you.
Best regards,
Employers are not permitted to withhold an employee's passport without their explicit written consent. Even with consent (e.g., for visa processing), the employer has a duty of care for the document.
Report the loss of your passport to the police, clearly explaining that it was lost while in your employer's possession.
Obtain an official police report or loss certificate. This document is essential for all subsequent procedures (applying for a new passport, dealing with visa issues, and any potential labor complaint).
Contact your embassy and follow the procedures provided by your embassy/consulate for a new passport. If your company continues to refuse cooperation or reimbursement for costs, you should file a formal labor complaint with MOHRE.
