Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job: You’ve got a job offer in Dubai or Abu Dhabi exciting, right? But before signing the contract or resigning from your current role, you must ask the right questions. In 2025, the UAE job market is highly competitive, and workers from India, Nepal, the Philippines, and beyond often rush into accepting jobs only to face confusion later about salaries, work hours, or visa issues.
This guide lists the top 10 questions to ask before accepting a job in the UAE so you can avoid mistakes, secure your rights, and make informed decisions.
10 Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job in UAE
Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job:
1. Is the Offer Letter from a Registered UAE Company?
Before anything, confirm if:
The offer is on official company letterhead
The company has a valid trade license
The job is registered with MOHRE or Free Zone
Warning: Don’t accept offers sent only via WhatsApp or with no official email ID.
2. What Is the Total Monthly Salary Package?
In UAE, salary offers are typically divided as:
Basic Salary
Housing Allowance
Transport Allowance
Other benefits
Ask: “What is the total monthly salary, including all allowances?”
This helps you compare multiple offers fairly.
3. Is Accommodation and Transportation Provided?
Some companies provide:
Free shared or single accommodation
Company transportation or travel allowance
If not provided, factor these into your salary expectations.
4. Who Will Pay for the Visa, Medical, and Emirates ID?
As per UAE labour law:
Employers must cover visa, medical test, Emirates ID, and labour card costs
If they ask you to pay for these, it may be a red flag.
5. What Are the Working Hours and Weekly Off Days?
By law:
8 hours/day and 48 hours/week
6 hours/day during Ramadan
1 or 2 days off per week (depending on the company)
Ask clearly: “Is Friday/Saturday off? Are there split shifts?”
6. What Is the Annual Leave Policy?
The UAE law mandates:
30 calendar days of paid leave after 1 year
Pro-rated leave if you work less than a year
Also ask:
“Are Fridays or public holidays included in leave calculation?”
7. What Are the Probation and Notice Period Terms?
Check:
Duration of probation (usually 3–6 months)
Termination notice period (usually 30 days)
Will you receive full benefits if terminated during probation?
Ask for these details in writing in your labour contract.
8. Is There End-of-Service Gratuity?
This is your retirement payout when you leave:
21 days’ basic salary/year (first 5 years)
30 days’ basic salary/year (after 5 years)
Ask:
“Is my EOSB calculated on full or basic salary?”
9. Will I Get a Copy of the Labour Contract?
You must receive:
An Arabic and/or English copy of your MOHRE-approved contract
Copy of job offer letter
Visa copy and Emirates ID after onboarding
Avoid jobs where the employer refuses to share documents or delays the visa process.
10. What Happens If I Want to Leave the Job Early?
Ask about:
Contract breaking penalties
Work ban (usually for 1 year if leaving before 1 year in private sector jobs)
Resignation policy
Some Free Zones offer more flexible rules—always check.
Bonus: Questions for Specific Sectors
Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job:
For Construction/Labour Jobs:
Will I be working outdoors in the summer?
Is safety gear provided?
For Domestic Workers:
What are sleeping arrangements?
Are phone calls allowed?
For Retail/Hotels:
Is overtime paid beyond 8 hours?
Is commission included in the salary?
Mistakes to Avoid When Accepting UAE Jobs
Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job:
Accepting without reading the contract
Ignoring unclear job titles or salary splits
Agreeing to pay visa or recruitment fees
Not checking if the employer is blacklisted or under suspension
Not researching the company online
Summary: Top 10 Questions Before Accepting a Job in UAE
Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job:
Is the offer from a licensed company?
What is the full salary package?
Is housing or transport included?
Who pays for visa and medical?
What are working hours and weekly offs?
What’s the leave policy?
What are the probation terms?
Is there end-of-service gratuity?
Will I get a copy of my contract?
What are the exit/termination rules?
Final Thoughts
Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job: Don’t accept a job in UAE just because it sounds good. Ask the right questions, get everything in writing, and protect yourself. Whether you’re a cleaner, nurse, driver, teacher, or engineer your job offer must be clear, legal, and fair.