Arabic-language reference guide to what happens to your work permit and residency when you resign or are terminated in the UAE, under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The full article is in Arabic. General legal information, not legal advice — verify with MOHRE/ICP or a lawyer.
When employment ends in the UAE, the employer must cancel the work permit, and a grace period applies before you must leave or transfer status. Under the current law, an employee can generally move to a new employer, and the old automatic labour ban has largely been removed. An employer may not lawfully withhold your passport. A false absconding report can be contested. Exact grace-period durations and procedures change — verify the current ICP/MOHRE rules before acting.
