The United Arab Emirates has clarified the conditions that may lead to foreign workers in the private sector being barred from receiving a new work permit for one year.
This restriction is applied under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, governing employment relationships within the private sector.
Three grounds for the one-year ban
The UAE government highlights three specific scenarios that could result in this one-year ban:
1. Ending a contract during probation Workers who resign while still under probation may find themselves subject to this ban. However, this applies only if the employer has met all contractual obligations. In the case where the company has fulfilled its duties, but the employee chooses to depart prematurely, this penalty will be enforced.
2. Verified work abandonment If an employer submits a work abandonment report that is validated, the concerned employee becomes eligible for the one-year restriction. Work abandonment occurs when a worker fails to attend their job without prior authorisation or a justifiable reason.
3. Cancellation of permits from fake firms Individuals who possess work permits issued by non-genuine or fictitious companies also fall under the remit of this ban. If an establishment is discovered to be fraudulent, resulting in the permit’s cancellation, the worker will face a one-year bar on obtaining a new permit.
Implications for affected workers
For those impacted, this one-year ban means they will not be able to secure a new formal job in the UAE’s private sector for the duration of the restriction.
These regulations are part of the UAE’s broader initiative to regulate labour relations and discourage violations that disrupt the employment framework.
Workers contemplating resigning during their probation period or those uncertain about their employer’s legitimacy are encouraged to review their contracts thoroughly before taking actions that might initiate such penalties.
