How much notice you owe — or are owed — under UAE Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, including the probation-period sub-rules.
Figures in AED.
| Service | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Standard notice (post-probation) | 30-90 days, as agreed in your contract — same for employer and employee (Art. 43) |
| Probation — employer ends it | At least 14 days notice |
| Probation — you resign to join another UAE employer | At least 30 days (1 month) notice |
| Probation — you resign and leave the UAE / no new local job | At least 14 days notice |
| If notice is not served | Either side may pay the other's salary for the unserved notice days instead |
Notice must be in writing. During notice the contract stays fully in force — full pay and duties continue. Cross-checked against MOHRE (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Source: Chambers and Partners.
30 days for a standard (post-probation) contract, and it cannot exceed 90 days — the exact figure is whatever your contract states within that range, per Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law 33/2021.
Yes — Article 43 requires the same notice period from both sides for a standard contract.
If your employer ends it, at least 14 days. If you resign to join another UAE employer, at least 30 days. If you resign and are leaving the UAE or not taking new local work, at least 14 days (Article 44).
Yes — either party can waive the notice period by paying the other side's salary for the remaining notice days.
Yes, in full, and your employer must give you one unpaid day off per week (with 3 days notice) to search for a new job.