Middle East Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

Can my mother claim end-of-service benefits after 18 years as a nanny?

Q: Hi, I want to inquire about my mother`s labour case. She served as a nanny for an Emirati family for 18 years. When she finished her contract, they didn’t give her anything, like end-of-service benefits, unpaid annual leave, or day-off pay. Would she be able to get anything?

I submitted two UAE employment visa applications through ADGM and both were rejected. What can I do?

Q: French citizen residing in Singapore for over eight years. I submitted two UAE employment visa applications through ADGM, both prepared professionally and fully documented (personal letters, family background, police clearance, translations). Both were rejected without explanation. I have no legal or immigration history that would justify a rejection. I am now considering re-entering the UAE as a tourist to seek clarification before any resubmission. I am seeking legal advice on whether it is possible to access or challenge a potential CID or security-related block, and whether such cases can be reviewed or reassessed when documents are resubmitted. I wish to ensure that my profile is not indefinitely restricted without cause or recourse.

What to do if MOHRE has not responded to my complaint about my sponsor holding my passport?

Q: Good morning, Sir/Madam! I already complained to the labour department about my sponsor not cancelling my visa and holding my passport after 4 years of working with them. But labour hasn`t taken any action yet. It’s already 1 month and 1 week since I complained, but I still haven`t received any call from MOHRE. Please advise what I can do about this!

Do weekends count as part of annual leave if they fall within the requested vacation period?

Q: Hello, I would like to check if there is any labor regulation in Dubai that requires counting weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as part of the annual leave if these days fall within the requested vacation period. I would appreciate your clarification or a reference to the applicable regulation.

A travel agent promised us a guaranteed visit visa to Canada and failed to obtain or return our money. What to do?

Q: My friend and I gave 31500 dhs to a lady in Dubai who is also a Canadian citizen. She approached us as a travel agent for a Canadian visit visa and a fake appointment letter for a job, too. She said if we do not get a visit visa, then she will return the whole amount. It has been two years, and she has not given us the money back. She is in Dubai and making excuses. Our whole conversation is in WhatsApp messages about money, too; we have those offer letters, too. Please, I need good advice, how to get our money back? I work in a big company as a sales assistant.

What can you do if you get arrested for carrying prohibited substances at the airport?

Q: Hello, My brother`s brother-in-law was arrested at Fujairah Airport, as he was carrying 25 bottles (each of 10 Grams) of new shama kamini vidrawan ras. This is an ayurvedic formulation that promotes sexual wellness. The ingredients help to enhance libido in men. As he (brother`s brother-in-law) informed police that my brother asked him to carry this ayurvedic medicine, as he (my brother) wanted to gift it to his few friends, as this is cheaper in India. As of now, both my brother and his brother-in-law are arrested by police stating that this medicine contains drugs and is kept in Fujairah Central Jail. It`s been more than 15 days since my brother`s brother-in-law (arrested on 26th June), and more than one week since my brother`s arrest (6th July). Now, I don`t have any idea or information about what will happen and what the current status is. Your kind advice and help will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

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The new landlord is increasing the rent and the tenancy contract is not registered in Ejari. What can be done?

Q: Good Afternoon, I have a new owner who has taken over the building from the previous owner. The new landlord is increasing the rent from 34000 to 44000. With add-ons like commission, deposit, and admin fees. I didn`t receive any notice for the renewal as per the law (90 days prior to the expiry). Our building is not registered in the RERA rental index. The previous landlord didn`t provide us with the Ejari, but I have a contract from him. What can be done? I need your advice.

Understanding Dubai’s New Contracting Law No. (7) of 2025

Dubai has introduced Law No. (7) of 2025 to reshape its contracting and construction sector with higher standards of efficiency, transparency, and professionalism. The law mandates contractor registration, enforces competency requirements, and imposes strict compliance measures across Dubai, including free zones like DIFC. This reform aligns with Dubai’s vision to safeguard urban development under the 2040 Master Plan while boosting investor confidence.

Why is my cousin in Sharjah CID custody for 3 days without charges?

Q: Hi, My cousin has been taken into custody by the Sharjah CID police, and when asked, they said “suspicious.” He has not done anything and has no cheque case. It’s been 3 days since he has been under police custody.

Visa cancelled, salary unpaid. How to check if my UAE employer filed absconding?

Q: Hello, My visa has automatically been closed since I’m outside the UAE. But my company didn’t pay me the final month’s salary and settlement. I submitted my resignation from outside the UAE, as the company suggested I take a leave instead when I resigned from there. Now I filed a complaint through MOHRE customer service for the salary, but the response was that they couldn’t find any issue. I’m not sure how the company cancelled my visa without clearing the payment. How can I check if they have filed an absconding case?

Terminated without warning for unsatisfactory performance. What are my rights?

Q: Hello, I have been terminated by my employer suddenly with the reason of unsatisfactory performance; however, I did not receive any feedback in this area. In fact, I received an increment last month with no prior warning letters. I am really shocked by this decision, and during the meeting, I was pressured by the line manager and HR Director, due to which I got overwhelmed and signed the termination. They gave me a 3-month notice period under Article 43. Also, in my EOS calculation, they only included the gratuity but did not add the annual leave pay or the 3-month notice period salary. It’s my third year in the organization, and I am on company sponsorship under a limited contract. I want to know my rights as an employee and what action I should take in this regard.

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Can I appeal to recover the fines paid for hiring an employee on a visit visa?

Q: Hello, I have received a fine of 50K as an owner for appointing an employee on a visiting visa, and the employee received a 10K fine. It has been paid. Please advise if there is any possibility of getting this money back by appeal. This is my first fine ever, and the employee’s visa has now been stamped.

I made a complaint about my stolen money and could not attend the hearing. Will I be penalized?

Q: Salaam alaikum, I made a complaint at the police station in Barsha about my stolen money 2 months ago. I left the country for a short while soon after that, but since I don`t know the process, I got missed calls from Dubai prosecution and a message from them to visit them on June 15th. I didn`t go since I was outside the UAE, and when I called them back, no one answered the call. Anyhow, 3 days ago, the Dubai Public Prosecution portal shows the person was sentenced for theft, and I also got a message that a judgment has been passed. I just want to know if I`ll be penalised for not attending prosecution, or stopped at immigration when I`m returning. Jazakallah Khair!

Why is my Abu Dhabi police clearance certificate still under review?

Q: Hello, I applied for a police clearance certificate in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday this week. Up to now, I haven`t received it yet; the status is still under review by the concerned party. Please guide!

Can I cancel the deal if an advertised 2-bedroom apartment is officially a 1-bedroom?

Q: Hello, I`m in the process of buying an apartment. The apartment was listed as a 2-bed, and when I asked to see the floor plan, it was marked as a 1-bed. I was told by the agent that this was a mistake/mislabel and that the seller is trying to get it fixed. In the process of obtaining the NOC from the developer, the apartment was again listed as a 1-bed, and when I asked for it to be updated, the developer mentioned that the apartment is officially registered as a 1-bed. Since it was spacious, it was offered as an internal modification, but the official classification is 1-bed and that can`t be changed. I checked with the DLD, and the apartment is registered as a 1-bed as well. I was not aware of any modifications and was not told any of this by the agent when signing Form F. Are the above facts grounds for me to back out of the deal, or does the classification not matter in this case?

Can a CEO sue for defamation just because I reported his misconduct to HR?

Q: Hello, I work in Abu Dhabi in a non-managerial position. I got into an argument with the CEO of the company, as he was blaming me for something that was not my fault or within my control. He then proceeded to tell me I would be written up for it. My immediate manager is on leave, so I informed him and went to HR to file a complaint of wrongdoing. He then immediately terminated me and told me that he would sue me for defamation. How is it defamation when I only brought the incident to the notice of the two people who are supposed to be involved anyway? Who do I speak to, and can I take him to court?

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