Resigning in the UAE: notice periods and employee rights
Under UAE labour law, private-sector resignations are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its Executive Regulations. The resignation notice period is the first thing to check. The short version: you must give written notice and work through it, or pay in lieu.
Which rule applies to you
| Your situation | Notice you give | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Normal resignation | 30 to 90 days, as your contract sets | Article 43 |
| Resigning in probation, leaving the UAE | 14 days, in writing | Article 9 |
| Resigning in probation, joining another UAE employer | 30 days, in writing. The new employer compensates the previous one for recruitment and contracting costs | Article 9 |
| Employer breached your rights, assault, serious danger or fundamentally different tasks | None, if the Article 45 conditions are met | Article 45 |
Notice period
Under Article 43, the notice period must be at least 30 days and no more than 90 days, and your contract sets the exact length. If either side does not serve the notice, it owes the other “pay in lieu of notice”, equal to the worker’s wage for the full notice period or the part not served. The employee normally keeps working during the notice period.
Resigning during probation
Probation cannot exceed six months. Under Article 9, if you resign during probation you must give 14 days’ written notice when you are leaving the UAE, or 30 days if you are joining another UAE employer. In that second case the new employer must compensate your previous employer for recruitment and contracting costs.
Resigning without notice
Article 45 allows you to leave without serving notice in four cases: the employer violated your rights and did not fix it after MOHRE told them to (you must notify MOHRE at least 14 days before resigning); you were assaulted by the employer or its representative (report it to the authorities and MOHRE within five working days); there is serious danger to your safety or health that the employer failed to correct; or you were given tasks fundamentally different from your contract without consent.
Before you resign
- Check the notice period in your employment contract.
- Give written notice stating your last working day.
- Work through the notice period unless you agree otherwise in writing.
- Collect your end-of-service dues and any unused leave pay. See our annual leave rules.
If there is a dispute
Workers may leave a job at any time, while being aware of their legal obligations such as notice. Employers cannot confiscate passports. If pay or dues are late or incomplete, MOHRE has a “My salary complaint” service and a Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre on 80084. Workers are exempt from litigation fees for claims under AED 100,000. Our 10 key labour law points cover contracts, probation and leave more broadly.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer refuse my resignation?
You may leave at any time, but you must serve the notice your contract sets, or pay in lieu, unless an Article 45 exception applies.
Do I need my employer’s permission to leave the country?
No. Workers do not need employer permission to leave the country.
Where to go next
When an employer, not the worker, ends the contract without notice, see the ten cases of dismissal without notice under Article 44.
If you need to leave at once, see the four Article 45 cases where you can resign without notice.
Related: skipping notice carries a cost, explained in the UAE notice period allowance guide.
