Termination & Notice Period in UAE
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The 2021 law killed off "limited" and "unlimited" contracts and consolidated everything into fixed-term contracts of up to 3 years (renewable). It was the cleanest single change in the rewrite — and it ended a long-running headache for HR teams trying to navigate two parallel termination regimes.
- Notice: either side must give between 30 and 90 days' written notice, set in the contract. 30 days is the floor.
- During notice: you keep working, the employer keeps paying. Both sides remain bound until the last day.
- Job-search leave: one unpaid day a week during your notice period to interview elsewhere.
- Immediate dismissal by the employer: only for the closed list of gross misconduct in Article 44 — fraud, assault, repeated no-shows, the like.
- Immediate resignation by you: Article 45 lets you walk without notice if the employer seriously breaches the contract, assaults you, or puts you in danger.
When does it apply?
- You work in the private sector under the UAE Labour Law.
- This applies to all contract types since February 2, 2022, when the new law took effect.
- Workers in free zones (DIFC, ADGM) may have different termination rules under their own employment regulations.
What to Do If You Are Dismissed Without Proper Notice in the UAE
- Always go in writing. Resignation, termination — email is fine. Verbal kills your case later.
- Check your contract for the exact notice period. It can be 30, 60, or 90 days; the contract controls within that range.
- Fired without notice? File with MoHRE through the app, the 600-590000 hotline, or a Tasheel centre. You may be owed compensation equal to the notice period's salary.
- Get your gratuity, unused leave pay, and final salary requested in writing — don't let the employer fold them into a vague "final settlement" figure.
- Working in DIFC or ADGM? Termination falls under the free zone's own law. Disputes go to DIFC Courts or ADGM Courts, not MoHRE.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't walk before serving notice. You may owe the employer compensation equal to half the notice-period salary.
- Don't accept a verbal termination. Insist on a written letter stating the reason and the effective date.
- Don't return company property until you have your final settlement documents in hand. Once the laptop and badge are gone, the leverage goes with them.
Common Questions
When does it apply — termination & notice period?
You work in the private sector under the UAE Labour Law.This applies to all contract types since February 2, 2022, when the new law took effect.Workers in free zones (DIFC, ADGM) may have different termination rules under their own employment regulations.
What should I do if my employer in the UAE fires me without the correct notice period?
Always go in writing. Resignation, termination — email is fine. Verbal kills your case later.Check your contract for the exact notice period. It can be 30, 60, or 90 days; the contract controls within that range.Fired without notice? File with MoHRE through the app, the 600-590000 hotline, or a Tasheel centre. You may be owed compensation equal to the notice period's salary.Get your gratuity, unused leave pay, and final salary requested in writing — don't let the employer fold them into a vague "final settlement" figure.Working in DIFC or ADGM? Termination falls under the free zone's...
What should you NOT do — termination & notice period?
Don't walk before serving notice. You may owe the employer compensation equal to half the notice-period salary.Don't accept a verbal termination. Insist on a written letter stating the reason and the effective date.Don't return company property until you have your final settlement documents in hand. Once the laptop and badge are gone, the leverage goes with them.