Dubai: Planning to switch jobs in the UAE after resigning or completing your contract? The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has clarified when workers can legally move to another employer, and the situations in which a new work permit may be denied for one year.
In a post on their official social media channels on May 12, the ministry explained when a worker is allowed to transfer to another employer, as well as cases in which a new work permit cannot be issued.
Cases when you can switch jobs
According to MOHRE, workers may move to another establishment after the employment relationship ends in the following cases:
- Expiry of the employment contract
- Termination of the contract by mutual agreement between the worker and employer
Can you stay in the UAE after your job ends?
MOHRE also clarified that workers may remain in the UAE after the employment relationship ends during the designated grace period.
During this period, workers may:
- Adjust their residency status by securing another job or visa
- Leave the country legally before the grace period expires
What is a grace period?
The grace period is linked to your residency visa and begins after your visa is cancelled. The grace period is clearly mentioned on the ‘cancellation paper’ that is provided to employees, when they are leaving a job.
Depending on the visa category, grace periods in the UAE can range from 30 to 180 days after residency cancellation, according to u.ae, the official information portal of the UAE government.
Two mistakes that could affect your job move
There are two specific cases that workers should keep in mind, though, to ensure they do not face any problems in moving to a new employer.
In the post, the Ministry clarified that a worker will not be granted a new work permit for one year in the following cases:
- If they end the employment relationship during the probation period (without complying with the notice period)
- If an absence-from-work complaint is proven as valid.
What are the probation period rules to keep in mind?
When you join a new employer, you can be placed under probation for the first six months of your tenure.
If you want to change your job while on probation, to join another employer in the UAE, you need to ensure that you give the necessary notice to your current employer. Violating this requirement can lead to a case where a new work permit will not be issued to you for a period of one year.
What is the notice period during probation?
If you are on probation and want to quit, you have to give a written notice to your employer at least one month before you plan to leave. If you do join a new company after quitting, your new employer is legally required to compensate your current employer for the recruitment costs, unless it is otherwise agreed between your current employer and you.
In case you want to quit during your probation period and plan to leave the UAE, the required notice period is for 14 days. In such a case, if you return to the UAE within three months of leaving the country, and join a new employer, the new employer will be liable to compensate the previous employer for your recruitment costs, unless otherwise agreed between the current employer and the employee.
What is an absence-from-work complaint?
The ministry also said workers may not be granted a new permit for one year if an absence-from-work complaint filed by an employer is approved as valid.
An absence-from-work complaint is typically filed when an employee stops reporting to work without informing the employer or without a valid reason. If MOHRE reviews the case and approves the complaint, you will not be able to join a new employer for a year.