No. Article 6(4) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 bars private-sector employers from charging workers the fees and costs of recruitment, directly or indirectly. That includes visa costs, and it still applies if you resign within your first year. A contract clause that makes you repay them cannot be enforced against you.
What the Law Covers
- Who: workers in the UAE private sector.
- What: recruitment, visa and similar employment costs.
- Salary deductions: taking visa fees out of your pay would be an illegal deduction. You can report it to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Leaving During Probation
Probation cannot run longer than six months. If you leave to join another UAE employer during probation, you give your current employer one month’s written notice. The new employer, not you, compensates the first employer for recruitment or contract costs, unless the parties agree otherwise. If you leave the UAE instead, the notice period is 14 days.
| Situation | Who bears the visa cost |
|---|---|
| Resign within a year | Employer; you owe nothing for recruitment costs |
| Contract says you must repay | Clause cannot be enforced against you |
| Move to a new UAE employer during probation | New employer compensates the old one, unless agreed otherwise |
Notice Still Matters
Not repaying visa fees does not remove your duty to give proper notice. A party that ends the contract without following the notice rules can owe compensation equal to the salary for the notice period. A foreign worker who leaves the UAE during probation without complying can face a one-year work-permit ban, which MOHRE can waive for some groups, such as Golden Visa holders.
If your employer demands repayment, keep your contract and payslips and contact MOHRE. Related: UAE labour law guides.
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