When a UAE private-sector job ends, the employer should pay your final wages, unused leave, any notice pay and your gratuity within 14 days, and should normally cover your ticket home unless an exception applies. MoHRE asks you to sign that you agree to the cancellation and have received your dues, so check the settlement before you sign. After your residence is cancelled you have a grace period to leave or change status, and its length depends on your residence category.
Who this guide is for
This checklist is for expatriate employees of private-sector companies registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), whether they resigned, were dismissed or reached the end of a fixed-term contract. It follows Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its implementing rules.
Different rules apply to domestic workers (see our guide on domestic worker disputes), government employees, and employees in the DIFC and ADGM financial free zones. If you are unsure which system you fall under, our guide on mainland, free zone and domestic worker complaints explains the differences.
Your end-of-employment rights at a glance
| Item | What the law says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Final wages | All wages up to the last working day | Article 53 |
| Unused annual leave | Paid for days not taken, based on basic wage | Article 29(9) |
| Notice period | 30 to 90 days, or payment in place of notice | Article 43 |
| Gratuity | 21 or 30 days of basic wage per year after one year | Article 51 |
| Ticket home | Employer pays repatriation, with exceptions | Article 13(12) |
| Experience certificate | Free of charge, on request | Article 13(11) |
| Payment deadline | Within 14 days of the contract ending | Article 53 |
All article numbers refer to Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 as published by MoHRE (as of September 2026).
Step by step
- Confirm your last working day in writing. Keep the resignation, termination or non-renewal letter and the notice dates.
- Check the notice period. Article 43 sets a notice period of 30 to 90 days. You are paid your full wage during it. The side that does not give notice owes the other side payment for it.
- List every amount due. Final salary, unused leave, notice pay if owed, gratuity, and any unpaid overtime or other contract benefits.
- Estimate your gratuity. Use the gratuity calculator and our worked examples.
- Ask for the settlement sheet. Request a written breakdown and compare it line by line with your own list.
- Confirm the ticket. Under Article 13(12), the employer pays for your return to your place of recruitment unless you have joined another employer or the contract ended for a reason attributed to you.
- Read the cancellation form before signing. MoHRE's work permit cancellation service requires your signature agreeing to cancellation and confirming receipt of all dues.
- Track the 14 days. Article 53 gives the employer 14 days from the end of the contract to pay.
- Complain promptly if unpaid. MoHRE's guidance says a complaint can be filed within 30 days of the employer's breach through the MoHRE app, website or 600590000. Free advice is available on 80084.
- Plan your grace period. Once the residence permit is cancelled, check your own grace period with ICP or, in Dubai, GDRFA (see below).
- Vacate employer housing on time. MoHRE's guidance gives workers up to 30 days after service ends to leave employer-provided accommodation, unless the employer agrees otherwise.
Our visa cancellation and final dues organiser turns these steps into a dated list.
Grace period after cancellation
The grace period is not the same for everyone. As of September 2026, ICP's residence cancellation service page lists 180 days for Golden, Green and Blue residence holders and some other groups, 90 days for skilled workers at levels 1 to 3 and property owners, 60 days for permits issued with a guarantor or host, and 30 days for all other categories. GDRFA Dubai's cancellation service page mentions a 60-day grace period. ICP charges a fine of AED 50 per day for staying after the grace period ends. For many private-sector employees, this means ICP's list points to 30 days, while GDRFA's page says 60 days. Because the two authorities' pages differ, confirm your own grace period with ICP or GDRFA before you book travel or apply for a new visa.
If family members are sponsored on your visa, ICP says their permits must be cancelled before yours or put on hold for a limited period, with fees.
Documents checklist
- Employment contract and any renewals
- Resignation, termination or non-renewal letter, with dates
- Last three to six payslips and bank statements
- Leave record showing days taken and unused days
- The employer's final-settlement sheet
- Your own calculation of each amount
- Copies of the cancellation form before and after signing
- Messages about the ticket, final pay and last working day
- Passport, Emirates ID and residence details
- Any MoHRE complaint reference number
Common mistakes
- Signing that you received everything when you did not. The form confirms you received your dues. The law says waivers of rights that break its rules are void (Article 65), but proving that later is harder than checking first.
- Accepting one lump sum with no breakdown. Without a line-by-line sheet you cannot see which item is short.
- Mixing up basic and total salary. Gratuity and leave pay use basic salary, while notice pay is based on the last wage received.
- Letting the grace period run out. Daily overstay fines can build up quickly. Check your date as soon as the residence is cancelled.
- Missing the complaint window. MoHRE's guidance refers to 30 days from the breach. Do not wait until after you leave the country.
- Handing over your passport. Article 13(2) says the employer must not keep a worker's official documents.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Many final-settlement gaps are resolved through MoHRE without a lawyer. It can help to get advice if the employer says you were dismissed for misconduct, if there is a large gap in the settlement, if a work abandonment report has been filed against you, or if your case has been referred to court. If you choose, CaseDaleel can introduce you to an independent licensed professional. You can also start with a free case check.
Frequently asked questions
How long does my employer have to pay my final settlement?
Article 53 of the Labour Law says wages and all other dues must be paid within 14 days of the contract ending.
Is my unused leave paid out?
Yes, MoHRE's guidance says unused leave days are paid when you leave, calculated on your basic wage.
Do I always get a ticket home?
Usually, but not if you have joined another employer or the contract ended for a reason attributed to you, in which case you pay (Article 13(12)).
Should I sign the cancellation form if I have not been paid?
Read it carefully, because it confirms receipt of all dues; if the dues are not paid, ask for payment first or get advice from MoHRE on 80084.
How long can I stay after my visa is cancelled?
ICP's page lists 30 to 180 days depending on your residence category, while GDRFA Dubai's page says 60 days, so confirm your own period with ICP or GDRFA.
Can I work for a new employer straight away?
Often yes, once the previous work permit is cancelled, but the rules depend on how the contract ended, so confirm with MoHRE.
Is there a deadline to claim my dues?
MoHRE says complaints should be filed within 30 days of the breach; the law also sets an outer two-year limit from the end of employment.
Official sources
- MoHRE — Cancellation of work permits and employment contracts
- MoHRE — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (consolidated PDF)
- MoHRE — Dear Worker: Know Your Rights
- ICP — Cancellation of residency permits
- GDRFA Dubai — Cancellation of all types of residence permits
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations (official Arabic text)
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.