UAE labour law guide
Notice period in the UAE
Your contract sets it, somewhere between 30 and 90 days. Probation has shorter rules of its own.
In short
After probation, the UAE notice period is 30 to 90 days, as set in the employment contract, and it applies to both employee and employer. Whoever cuts the notice short owes the other the wage for the missing days. During probation, shorter notice rules apply.
Updated
- Law
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Articles 9 and 43
- Notice period
- 30 to 90 days after probation
- Probation
- 14 days from the employer
- Notice pay
- Full wage for the missing days
- Paid within
- 14 days of the contract ending
Written by Sukaina Sehar, CMO at LeagrowUpdated
What is the notice period in the UAE?
Between 30 and 90 days once probation is over. Your contract sets the exact number, and the same notice applies whether you resign or your employer ends the contract.
Resign in writing, by email or letter, and keep a copy with the date on it. Both sides count the notice from that date.
What is the notice period during probation?
It depends on who ends the contract and where you go next.
Probation can last up to six months and can't be extended.
| During probation | Notice |
|---|---|
| Your employer ends it | At least 14 days |
| You leave to join another UAE employer | At least 30 days |
| You leave the UAE | At least 14 days |
Do you get paid during your notice period?
Yes. Your contract carries on during the notice period, so you're paid your full wage as normal until your last day.
What happens if notice isn't served?
Whoever cuts the notice short pays the other side the wage for the days not served. If your employer lets you go early, they pay you for those days. If you leave early, you owe your employer, and it's usually taken off your final settlement.
Example: on AED 15,000 a month, a day's wage is AED 500. Leaving 20 days short of a 30-day notice costs AED 10,000.
Can a job end without notice?
Only in the cases the law lists. An employer can dismiss without notice for serious misconduct set out in Article 44. An employee can leave without notice if the employer breaks its duties, as set out in Article 45.
What are you owed when the notice period ends?
Your final settlement: salary owed, end-of-service gratuity, unused annual leave and any notice pay, less what you owe your employer. It must be paid within 14 days.
Sources
- UAE legislation portal: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
- Gulf News: UAE notice period rules for 30, 60 and 90 days
- Chambers: the notice period under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
Checked . We explain the law as it applies to most private-sector jobs. It isn't legal advice, so for your own case, check with MOHRE or a lawyer.
Run the whole exit in one place.
Leagrow HR handles the resignation and the offboarding checklist. Payroll then works out notice pay or recovery in the final settlement.
- Resignation and offboarding steps in one place
- Notice pay or notice recovery in the final settlement
- Gratuity, unused leave and loans worked out for you
- Paid through the pay run, with a WPS SIF file
Keep reading
More on UAE labour law.
UAE final settlement calculator
Gratuity, leave, notice and salary owed when a job ends. Free, no sign-up.
UAE gratuity calculator
End-of-service pay under the 2021 UAE Labour Law. Free, no sign-up.
UAE annual leave
30 days a year, and what happens to the days you don't use.
UAE sick leave
Up to 90 days a year, and how much of it is paid.
UAE labour law guide
Leave, notice, pay and end-of-service rules for the private sector.
Questions, answered.
Is a 30-day notice period mandatory in the UAE?
After probation, notice must be at least 30 days and no more than 90, as your contract says. During probation, the rules are shorter: 14 days from the employer.
Can I leave before my notice period ends?
Yes, but you owe your employer the wage for the days you don't serve, unless they agree to let you go early. It's usually taken off your final settlement.
Is pay in lieu of notice based on basic or full salary?
Most sources read the law as the full wage, with allowances. Your contract may say more, so check it.
How much notice do I give during probation?
At least 30 days if you're joining another UAE employer, and at least 14 days if you're leaving the UAE.
Do I still get gratuity if I resign?
Yes, if you've worked at least a year. Since February 2022, resigning no longer cuts your gratuity.
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