I'm still on probation in UAE. Can I resign, and how much notice do I need to give?

Posted by Karim Nasser

15 views

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working in the UAE and still within my six-month probation period. I'm considering resigning because the job isn't quite what I expected.

I'm a bit confused about the notice period. Some people say I only need to give 14 days' notice, while others say it's 30 days.

Does the notice period depend on whether I'm joining another company in the UAE or leaving the country?

Also, can my employer refuse my resignation or ask me to pay visa or recruitment costs?

Has anyone resigned during probation recently? I'd appreciate hearing about your experience and how the process went.

Thanks in advance!

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Replies (10)

0
Omar Al Hassan
Karim, was the actual job different from what was promised in your offer letter, or is it more that you're unhappy with the work environment? I'm asking because those can be different situations legally. If your employer has seriously breached the contract, it may be worth discussing the details with MOHRE instead of treating it as an ordinary resignation.
0
Nikhil Reddy
Don't just stop showing up because you're on probation. Failing to serve the required notice can mean paying compensation for the unserved period, and leaving the country without following the rules can create additional work permit problems. A written agreement for an earlier release is much safer.
0
Yaqoob Al Khalifa
One detail people miss is what happens if you leave the UAE and return for another job soon afterward. If you obtain a new work permit within three months of departure, your new employer can become responsible for recruitment cost compensation to the previous employer. So the 14-day route isn't necessarily a way around the employer-transfer rules.
0
Salem Al Mutairi
I think the safest approach is to email HR with your resignation date and proposed last working day, then request written confirmation of the cancellation process. If they say they won't accept it or threaten penalties, you can contact MOHRE for guidance before taking further action.
0
Bilal Hussain
Something else to consider is your final settlement. Even if you resign after only three or four months, the company still has to pay you for work you've completed. You generally won't qualify for end-of-service gratuity because that requires at least one year of continuous service, but that doesn't mean your remaining salary disappears.
0
Tarek Mostafa
I'd also suggest checking your MOHRE employment contract rather than relying entirely on what colleagues tell you. People often mix up the probation rules with the normal 30 to 90 day notice periods that apply after probation.
0
Ankit Sharma
Have you already received another job offer, or are you planning to return home? That changes the answer quite a bit. If you haven't decided yet, I wouldn't submit a resignation assuming 14 days will be enough. You might end up needing the full month's notice if you take another UAE job.
0
Ibrahim Said
The visa cost part is where I'd be careful. Your employer generally cannot demand that you personally repay normal recruitment or residency visa expenses just because you're resigning. If you're moving to another UAE employer during probation, the law provides for compensation from the new employer to the old one, unless otherwise agreed.
0
Omar Khalid
Your employer cannot simply force you to stay until your six-month probation finishes. You can resign before that. Just make sure you submit it formally and follow the correct notice period. I would keep the resignation email and any HR replies as proof.
0
Nasser Al Qahtani
Yes Karim, it depends on what you're planning next. If you're switching to another company within the UAE, you need to give at least one month's written notice during probation. If you're resigning to leave the UAE, it's 14 days. Both rules come under Article 9 of the UAE Labour Law.

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