UAE · Employment · Verified September 25, 2026
Probation in the UAE private sector has specific notice rules for employers and employees. The key numbers are 6 months maximum probation, 14 days’ written notice for employer termination during probation, and at least 1 month’s written notice when an employee leaves during probation to join another UAE employer.
How long can probation last?
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, probation cannot exceed six months from the employee’s start date. The same employer cannot place the worker on probation more than once. If the employee successfully completes probation and continues working, that probation period counts toward the employee’s service.
If the employer terminates during probation
The employer may terminate the employee during probation, but must give at least 14 days’ written notice before the termination date.
If you want to join another UAE employer
If you resign during probation to move to another employer inside the UAE, you must give the original employer written notice of at least one month. The law says the new employer must compensate the original employer for recruitment or contracting costs, unless the parties agree otherwise.
This recruitment-cost rule is between employers under the labour law. Do not assume it means the worker can automatically be charged whatever amount an employer chooses.
If you want to leave the UAE during probation
If a foreign worker terminates the contract during probation in order to leave the UAE, the worker must give at least 14 days’ written notice. If the worker returns to the UAE and obtains a new work permit within three months of departure, the new employer may have to compensate the former employer for recruitment costs unless there is an agreement otherwise.
What if the notice rules are not followed?
If either party ends the contract without following the probation notice rules, the law provides for compensation equal to the worker’s wage for the notice period—or the remaining part of that notice period.
The law also states that a foreign worker who leaves the UAE without complying with the probation provisions can face a one-year restriction on a new UAE work permit, subject to the law’s exceptions and MOHRE procedures.
Check the contract before resigning
Before giving notice, verify the official job offer and employment contract registered through MOHRE. Our MOHRE employment-contract guide explains how to compare salary, job title and contract terms against the official record.
Does probation affect end-of-service gratuity?
Probation counts as part of service if the employee completes it and continues working. However, statutory end-of-service gratuity has its own eligibility and calculation rules. See our UAE gratuity guide rather than assuming probation automatically creates a gratuity entitlement.
Five probation mistakes to avoid
- Resigning verbally instead of giving written notice.
- Assuming the same notice period applies whether you change UAE employers or leave the country.
- Ignoring the official MOHRE contract when a recruiter gives different terms.
- Assuming an employer can restart a fresh probation period with the same worker.
- Leaving the UAE immediately without checking the work-permit consequences.
Scope matters
These rules are for employment relationships covered by the UAE private-sector labour law. Government employees, domestic workers and some special jurisdictions can be governed by different frameworks. If your employer is in a free zone or another special regime, confirm which labour authority and rules apply to your contract.
Official sources checked
- UAE Government — employment contracts and probation
- UAE Labour Law — Article 9 probationary period
- UAE Government / MOHRE — one-year work-permit ban guidance
