UAE Employee Resignation: When an employee submits their resignation in the UAE, employers must handle the exit process legally, fairly, and efficiently. A poorly managed resignation can result in:
Labour disputes
Delayed visa cancellations
Fines from MOHRE or free zones
Employee dissatisfaction and legal claims
In this guide, we’ll explain how to manage UAE employee resignation as per the UAE Labour Law 2025.
UAE Employee Resignation Guide for Employers 2025
Step-by-Step: Handling Employee Resignation in UAE
Step 1: Acknowledge Resignation in Writing
As soon as an employee submits their resignation (email or letter), the HR department must:
Acknowledge receipt within 24–48 hours
Confirm last working day based on notice period
Request employee to complete handover
📎 Tip: Save a soft copy of the resignation email/letter in the employee file.
Step 2: Verify the Contract Type and Notice Period
According to UAE Labour Law 2025, the standard notice period is:
Contract Type | Minimum Notice Period |
---|---|
Limited Contract | 30 days |
Unlimited (legacy) | 30 days or more (if stated in contract) |
Managerial roles | Up to 90 days if mutually agreed |
Waiving notice period? Get mutual written consent.
Step 3: Handover Process & Exit Checklist
The HR officer must ensure the employee:
Trains replacement (if required)
Returns company property (laptop, ID, tools)
Clears outstanding advances or loans
Completes handover documents signed by supervisor
All items must be recorded on an exit clearance form.
Step 4: Calculate Final Settlement & Benefits
Final settlement must be paid within 14 days of the last working day. It includes:
Item | Included |
---|---|
Last month’s salary | ✅ |
Unused annual leave | ✅ |
Gratuity (after 1 year) | ✅ |
Incentives/commission (if due) | ✅ |
Deductions (if any) | ✅ |
Use the MOHRE Gratuity Calculator to compute gratuity based on working days.
Step 5: Cancel Visa and Labour Card
Employers must:
Cancel the residence visa via ICP or GDRFA (Dubai)
Cancel the labour card via MOHRE
Update records on WPS and insurance portals
Visa cancellation must be completed within 30 days of last working day.
Step 6: Provide Experience Certificate
It is mandatory to issue an experience certificate if requested by the employee. The certificate should include:
Name
Duration of Employment
Employer’s Stamp & Signature
Step 7: Exit Interview (Optional)
Conducting a short exit interview helps improve employee retention. Ask:
Why they’re leaving
What the company can do better
If they’d recommend others to join
Maintain professionalism regardless of the reason.
What If the Employee Resigns Without Notice?
Under Article 45 of UAE Labour Law, an employee can resign without notice if:
The employer breached contract terms
Workplace harassment or unpaid salary for over 60 days
The employee is under threat or discrimination
In such cases, no notice period applies, and legal complaints are possible if the employer objects.
Common Employer Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Ignoring the resignation and delaying action
❌ Holding passports or salaries illegally
❌ Not issuing final payment within 14 days
❌ Refusing to cancel visa unless the employee withdraws resignation
❌ Retaliatory behaviour
Such actions can lead to MOHRE complaints, fines, and even court orders.
Mahad HRC – HR Experts in UAE Employee Resignation Handling
UAE Employee Resignation: We help UAE companies:
Process employee resignation smoothly
Ensure legal notice period compliance
Calculate final settlements and gratuity
Handle visa cancellation and WPS updates
Draft experience letters and exit forms
Minimize employee disputes and complaints
👉 Visit MahadHRC.ae to get professional HR compliance support today.
Summary: Managing UAE Employee Resignation
Step | Action |
---|---|
1 | Acknowledge resignation in writing |
2 | Verify notice period based on contract |
3 | Conduct handover and property clearance |
4 | Calculate final dues including gratuity |
5 | Cancel visa and labour card via MOHRE |
6 | Issue experience certificate |
7 | Maintain records for audit and compliance |