Who covers accommodation while switching jobs in the UAE?

Hello,

Once you’ve signed the offer letter with your new employer, but before the new employment visa is processed, your new employer may be required to provide assistance with accommodation or an allowance.

This depends on the terms in your offer letter or contract. If your new employer is not yet responsible, you’ll likely need to find temporary housing at your own cost until your new visa is ready.

Some employers offer a grace period or temporary housing, but this should be clarified with them upfront.

Who is responsible for your residence visa during the transition between jobs in the UAE?

1. During the Notice Period at Your Previous Company:

While you are serving your notice period at your previous employer (usually 30 to 90 days as per your contract), the previous company is responsible for your visa (residence and work permit) until the end of this period.

Your visa must remain valid throughout the notice period because you are still officially employed there.

2. After the Notice Period and Signing the New Offer:

Once your notice period ends and you have signed the new job offer, the new employer becomes responsible for transferring your sponsorship and issuing your new work visa.

There is usually a transition period between the expiry of your old visa and the issuance of the new one, but the transfer process should be completed promptly (usually within 30 days) to avoid overstay.

3. If There is a Gap Between the Two Visas:

Legally, the new employer is not obligated to provide you with a residence visa before your new visa is issued, since you have not officially started working with them yet.

However, practically, you can negotiate with the new employer to cover any waiting period or to temporarily pay for visa renewal fees.

Advice:

Make sure not to overstay your legal residence period between the end of your old visa and the start of the new one.

Coordinate closely with both employers and the relevant authorities to expedite the visa transfer.

If you face any difficulties, we can provide legal assistance.

If you resigned properly, served your notice, and accepted a new job offer, theny our previous employer is no longer legally obligated to provide you with:

- Accommodation,

- Visa sponsorship, or

- Any support after your notice period ends.

Your new employer is also not legally required to provide accommodation before your visa is issued — unless it's clearly mentioned in your new offer letter or contract.

Check if your new employer offers temporary accommodation or a joining benefit (some companies do).

You may need to arrange temporary stay at your own expense until your visa is processed, which typically takes 1 to 3 weeks.

Ensure your visit visa or grace period is valid while waiting.

Under UAE labor law, the new employer is responsible for providing housing or a housing allowance to the new employee, even if the employee is still serving a period of time in any of the following circumstances.

The reference period is part of the previous contract and is not considered part of the new employment contract.

Under UAE Labour Law, once you resign and complete your notice period, your previous employer is no longer responsible for your accommodation.

The new employer is only obligated to provide accommodation if it is stated in your offer letter or employment contract, or if you fall under specific categories (e.g., low-skilled workers earning under AED 2,000 with employers of 50+ staff).

During the period between visa cancellation and issuance of the new employment visa, you are responsible for your own accommodation unless the new employer voluntarily agrees to support you.

Thank you for your question!

If you have already resigned properly, served your notice period, and accepted a new offer within the UAE, then your previous employer is no longer responsible for providing you with accommodation after your final working day.

From that point on, the responsibility shifts to either you or your new employer, depending on what is agreed in your new job offer.

Some companies offer temporary accommodation or cover your stay until the visa process is completed, but unless it’s clearly mentioned in your new contract or offer letter, it is usually your own responsibility during the transition.

To avoid issues or unexpected costs, it's always best to clarify this point in writing with your new employer before your last day at the previous job.

If you face difficulties or the company delays your visa unnecessarily, there may be legal remedies available.

Feel free to reach out to me on WhatsApp or phone at [-------------] to discuss your situation in more detail and understand your rights.

Dear Sir/Madam,

After you resign and complete your notice period, you are generally required to vacate your previous employer’s accommodation within 30 days, unless they agree otherwise.

Your previous employer is not obligated to provide accommodation beyond your employment period.

Your new employer is not legally required to provide accommodation until your new employment visa is issued, unless this is specified in your new contract.

If you need further assistance or clarification, please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East!

Your situation involves a transition period between two employments within the UAE, where the employment visa from the new company is still in process.

We recently advised a client in a similar case where they resigned properly, served full notice, and joined a new job, but were left without legal residency or accommodation during the visa transition phase.

We successfully resolved the matter by holding the new employer accountable for interim support, as they had already issued a signed offer and initiated visa formalities.

Legally, once your previous visa is cancelled and the new employer has formally issued an offer and started your employment process, the new employer is expected to take reasonable responsibility, including potentially offering temporary accommodation or visa holding support, especially if you’re under their sponsorship process.

However, this also depends on what was agreed in the offer letter and whether housing or relocation was mentioned.

The most strategic course of action is to send a formal written inquiry to your new employer requesting clarification on your accommodation during the visa processing period.

If their delay places you at immigration risk or financial distress, we can help you draft a legal notice asserting your rights based on labor precedents.

To advise you precisely, we would need to review your offer letter, previous cancellation proof, and any communications with your new HR department.

Our consultants are available in Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese.