Living & Working
Visas, Emirates ID, labour law and the cost of living: plain-English guides for people working in the UAE.
Latest in Living & Working
A freelance visa is really two things: a freelance permit and a residence visa. In Dubai, GoFreelance charges AED 7,500 a year for the permit, AED 2,000 for the establishment…
Probation in the UAE can last up to 6 months, only once with the same employer. Here is the notice each side must give, what happens to leave and pay,…
If you are let go in the UAE, you are owed unpaid salary, notice pay, unused leave and gratuity within 14 days. Up to 3 months' wages is extra, and…
The UAE notice period is 30 to 90 days, as set in your contract, and it is the same for you and your employer. Here is how to resign, what…
After probation, UAE private-sector workers get up to 90 days of sick leave a year: 15 days on full pay, 30 on half pay and the rest unpaid. Here is…
UAE workers get 30 days' paid annual leave a year after one year of service, and 2 days a month between 6 and 12 months. Here is how leave pay,…
A plain-English map of the UAE labour law, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021: working hours, leave, probation, notice, dismissal, gratuity and how to make a claim, with article numbers.
The UAE labour card is now an electronic work permit from MOHRE. Here is how to find your labour card number, check its status, print a copy and spot fake…
The UAE overstay fine is AED 50 for each day you stay after your visa or grace period ends. Here is how to check the amount on ICP or GDRFA,…
Residents pay AED 100 for each year of the new card plus a AED 100 smart fee. Here is who can renew, what you need, how long it takes and…
UAE gratuity is 21 days' basic pay a year for the first five years and 30 days a year after that, capped at two years' pay. The formula, worked examples…
ILOE job-loss insurance costs AED 5 or AED 10 a month and pays 60% of your basic salary for up to three months. How to pay, check fines and make…