Not legal advice
Content summarises labour law as published by each GCC ministry, current as of May 2026. Not a substitute for legal advice. Employment law is jurisdiction-specific and subject to change. For contracts, disputes, visa issues, or any decision with legal consequences, consult a qualified labour lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.
Not legal advice
This guide summarizes United Arab Emirates employment law for informational use only. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified labour lawyer. Employment law is complex and jurisdiction-specific. For contracts, disputes, visas, or decisions with legal consequences, consult a licensed labour lawyer in your jurisdiction.
Quick summary
Most expat employees enter on an employment visa sponsored by the employer. Since 2022, no-objection certificates are no longer required to move between employers at the end of a contract or notice period. The UAE Green Visa and Golden Visa offer self-sponsored alternatives for qualifying professionals.
Employer-sponsored employment visa
The standard UAE work visa is a two- or three-year residency permit tied to an employer-issued labour card. The employer pays for the visa, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and (in most cases) health insurance, under Article 6 of the Decree-Law, the employee cannot be charged for any of these recruitment costs.
Changing employer
The pre-2022 no-objection certificate (NOC) regime is gone. An employee can transfer to a new employer at the end of their contract, after serving the contractual notice period, or in specific other situations covered by MOHRE policy (employer breach, non-payment of wages, etc.). The labour ban that used to apply on mid-contract resignations has been largely replaced with a financial settlement: the employee may owe up to half of three months' salary unless the new employer takes on the obligation.
Free zones run their own visa systems
DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA, DMCC, twofour54, and other free zones issue their own employment visas through their authority's portal. Mobility between mainland and free zone employers requires visa cancellation and re-issuance, typically a 4-to-6-week process during which the employee may need a grace-period visa or a visit visa to stay legal.
Self-sponsored alternatives
The Green Visa (5-year, self-sponsored, for skilled workers earning above AED 15,000/month and holders of certain degrees) and the Golden Visa (10-year, self-sponsored, for high-skilled professionals, investors, scientists, and others) decouple residency from employment. They allow the holder to change jobs without losing their residency status, sponsor family members independently, and remain in the UAE for up to 6 months after losing employment.
Cancellation and grace period
On contract end, the employer cancels the employee's visa. The employee then has a grace period, typically 30 days but extendable to 60, to either secure new sponsorship or leave the UAE. This period was extended under the 2022 reforms and is set by the type of visa held.
Worked example
Maria, a finance professional on a standard employment visa, decides to leave her Dubai onshore employer after 18 months. She serves her 60-day notice. Her employer cancels her visa on her last day. She has 30 days to either depart, find a new sponsor, or transition to a Green Visa if she qualifies. Her new employer (a DMCC company) issues a new visa within three weeks. Because she served full notice and her old contract was completed, she doesn't owe early-termination compensation.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer cancel my visa during the notice period?
Not lawfully before your notice period ends. If they do, file a complaint with MOHRE, premature cancellation while notice is being served can constitute arbitrary dismissal and entitles the employee to compensation.
What's the difference between Green Visa and Golden Visa?
Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residency for qualifying skilled workers (salary threshold, education criteria). Golden Visa is a 10-year self-sponsored residency for specific high-skill categories (investors, doctors, scientists, top students, etc.). Both decouple residency from employer sponsorship; Golden Visa has higher entry bar and longer validity.
Can I sponsor my family on an employment visa?
Yes, if your monthly salary meets the dependent-sponsorship threshold (currently around AED 4,000 plus housing, or AED 10,000 without housing) and you have a tenancy contract registered in your name. Specific rules vary by emirate.
Do I get a labour ban if I resign?
The traditional 6- and 12-month labour bans have been largely phased out. Some categories of mid-contract resignation can still trigger short-term restrictions, but completing your notice period and respecting your contract terms generally lets you transition without a ban.
When to consult a labour lawyer
Consult an immigration lawyer if you're in a mid-contract dispute and considering resignation, transitioning between mainland and free zone employers, applying for a Green Visa or Golden Visa, or your employer has cancelled your visa before notice ended.