ILOE insurance UAE: how to pay, check fines and claim job-loss pay

ILOE insurance is the UAE’s compulsory unemployment insurance. If you lose your job through no fault of your own, it pays you 60% of your basic salary for up to three months. It costs AED 5 a month if your basic salary is AED 16,000 or less, and AED 10 a month if it is higher. You pay it yourself on the official site, iloe.ae, or through its app and partner channels.

The scheme’s full name is Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE). It was created by Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022, is run under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), and is administered by Dubai Insurance.

If you are also checking what your employer owes you when you leave, read how gratuity is calculated or use our gratuity calculator.

Who must subscribe to ILOE?

ILOE is mandatory for employees in the private sector and the federal government, UAE nationals and residents alike. Free zone employees were brought in from May 2023. The DIFC told its employees that the scheme is not mandatory for them.

These groups are exempt:

• Investors (owners of the business they work in)
• Domestic workers
• Employees on temporary contracts
• Under-18s
• Retirees who receive a pension and have taken a new job

How much does ILOE cost, and what does it pay?

The benefit is based on your average basic salary over the last six months before you lost your job. Across your whole working life in the UAE, total payments are limited to 12 months.

Example: your basic salary is AED 8,000. You pay AED 5 a month. If you lose your job, the benefit is 60% × AED 8,000 = AED 4,800 a month, for up to three months (AED 14,400 in total).

How to pay ILOE insurance (including Quick Pay)

You can subscribe and pay through:

• The official website, iloe.ae (including the Quick Pay option)
• The ILOE app
• SMS: text “ID” followed by a space and your Emirates ID number to 2120
• The call centre on 600 599 555
• Partner channels, including Tasheel and Tawjeeh centres, payment kiosks (such as MBME Pay and uPay), exchange houses such as Al Ansari Exchange, and some bank and wallet apps

You can pay month by month or cover several months in advance. Paying for the year up front is the easiest way to avoid slipping into arrears without noticing.

ILOE fines: how much, and how to check them

What happens if you do not pay:

• Policy cancelled. If you miss premiums for more than three months, your policy is cancelled. You must take out a new one, and the 12-month qualifying period starts again.
• Deductions. Unpaid fines can be deducted from your wages, your end-of-service gratuity or other entitlements.
• Blocked permits. You cannot get a new work permit until all fines are paid.

To check for fines, log in to iloe.ae or the ILOE app with your Emirates ID, or look at your record through MOHRE’s channels. You can pay fines online through the same Quick Pay route. See our guide to MOHRE enquiry services for the MOHRE side.

How to claim ILOE after losing your job

Who can claim

You can claim if all of these apply:

• You have been subscribed and paid for at least 12 consecutive months
• You lost your job involuntarily. Resignation does not count.
• You were not dismissed for disciplinary reasons
• There is no absconding complaint against you
• You are legally present in the UAE when you claim
• You file the claim within 30 days of your employment ending

How to claim

1. Log in to iloe.ae or the ILOE app and choose Submit a claim.
2. Enter your Emirates ID and the date your employment ended.
3. Upload what is asked for. This is usually the termination letter and your bank IBAN.
4. Track the claim in the app. Payments are made monthly to your bank account.

Your claim stops if you start a new job or leave the UAE. It is also rejected if any information turns out to be false.

ILOE and your visa

ILOE does not extend your visa. After your employer cancels your permit and visa, the normal grace period to find a job or leave still applies. Check your dates with our guide to checking your UAE visa status.

Frequently asked questions

Is ILOE insurance mandatory in the UAE?

Yes. ILOE is mandatory for private-sector and federal government employees, including most free zone staff. Investors, domestic workers, temporary contract workers, under-18s and pensioned retirees in new jobs are exempt. Not subscribing carries a fine of AED 400.

How much is ILOE insurance per month?

It costs AED 5 a month if your basic salary is AED 16,000 or less, and AED 10 a month if it is higher. You can pay monthly or in advance on iloe.ae, the ILOE app or partner channels.

How much will ILOE pay me?

ILOE pays 60% of your average basic salary over the last six months, for up to three months per claim. Payments are capped at AED 10,000 a month (Category 1) or AED 20,000 a month (Category 2).

Can I claim ILOE if I resign?

No. ILOE only pays if you lose your job involuntarily. Resigning, being dismissed for disciplinary reasons or having an absconding complaint filed against you makes you ineligible. Our termination benefits guide lists what your employer must still pay you.

How do I check my ILOE fine?

Log in to iloe.ae or the ILOE app with your Emirates ID to see your subscription status and any fines, and pay them through Quick Pay. Unpaid fines can be deducted from your salary or gratuity and block a new work permit.

How long do I have to claim ILOE?

You must submit your claim within 30 days of the date your employment ended. You also need at least 12 consecutive months of paid subscription behind you when you lose the job.