How much notice is legally required to end employment during probation in the UAE — the rule differs depending on who's ending it and why. Per Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 9.
Figures in AED.
| Service | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Maximum probation length | 6 months from your actual start date (no extension; cannot be repeated with the same employer) |
| Employer ends employment during probation | ≥14 days' notice |
| You resign to join another UAE employer | ≥30 days' (1 month) notice |
| You resign to leave your job / the country | ≥14 days' notice |
| Breach of notice | The breaching party owes wages for the notice shortfall |
| Gratuity during probation | None — gratuity requires 1+ year of service (Art. 51); probation time counts toward that year if employment continues |
Notice pay in lieu is estimated on your monthly salary ÷ 30. Your contract may specify a longer notice period than the statutory minimum. Source: UAE Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 (Art. 9).
Up to 6 months from your actual start date. It cannot be extended, and you cannot be placed on probation twice by the same employer.
It depends: 30 days' notice if you're joining another employer inside the UAE, or 14 days' notice if you're leaving your job entirely (not joining another UAE employer) — under Article 9 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021.
At least 14 days' written notice, the same as if you were resigning to leave the country.
No — end-of-service gratuity under UAE law only starts accruing after you complete 1 full year of continuous service (Article 51). A probation period (max 6 months) never reaches that threshold on its own.
Whichever party fails to give the required notice owes the other side wages for the shortfall in the notice period.