What is the legal minimum notice period when resigning in the UAE?

Under Article 43 of the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), notice must be between 30 and 90 calendar days as specified in your MOHRE contract. By law, no employment contract can mandate less than 30 days notice. If you leave without serving notice, you must pay compensation in lieu of notice.

How is End of Service Gratuity (EOSG) calculated upon resignation in the UAE?

Under Article 51 of the UAE Labour Law, employees completing at least one year of continuous service are entitled to gratuity calculated on their basic salary: 21 days' basic wage for each year of the first five years of service, and 30 days' basic wage for each additional year. Under the new labour law, there are no gratuity reductions for voluntary resignation.

When must the employer disburse the final settlement in the UAE?

Under Article 53 of the UAE Labour Law, the employer must pay the employee all earned wages, end-of-service gratuity, and untaken leave balance payments within 14 days from the date the employment relationship ends.

Can my employer hold my passport when I resign in the UAE?

No. Under UAE law and Ministry of Interior directives, withholding an employee's passport is strictly illegal. A passport is personal property. An employer may only temporarily hold your passport for the administrative purpose of canceling your residency visa, and must return it immediately thereafter.

Free · United Arab Emirates · Not legal advice

Resignation Letter (UAE)

A UAE resignation letter confirms your resignation in writing and establishes your statutory notice period under Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021. Copy the template below and review your MOHRE contract for your required notice duration (statutory minimum of 30 days).

Reviewed by Editorial TeamLast reviewed: September 2026

How much notice to give in the United Arab Emirates

Under Article 43 of the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), either party may terminate an employment contract for legitimate reasons by providing written notice of not less than 30 days and not more than 90 days. Any contractual clause specifying less than 30 days notice is legally null and void. You must perform your full duties during the notice period and receive full salary. Departing without serving notice requires the resigning party to pay compensation in lieu of notice equal to the worker's salary for the unserved period.

Statutory notice must be between 30 and 90 calendar days as specified in your MOHRE employment contract.
Under Article 51, employees with at least 1 year of continuous service are entitled to End of Service Gratuity (21 days basic wage per year for the first 5 years; 30 days per additional year).
Under Article 53, the employer must pay all wages, gratuity, and accrued leave encashment within 14 days of the contract termination date.
The employer is legally obligated to process residency visa and labour card cancellation; withholding employee passports is strictly illegal under UAE law.
Notice period begins on the day formal written notice is delivered and acknowledged.

Review your official MOHRE contract and the UAE Government Portal guidance before handing in your notice.

Standard UAE resignation letter

Dear Alex Rivera,

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Marketing Coordinator at Acme LLC. In accordance with Article 43 of the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) and the terms of my MOHRE employment contract, I am providing 30 days’ notice. My last working day will be 29 October 2026.

Thank you for the support and professional opportunities provided during my employment. I will dedicate my remaining notice period to completing my assigned deliverables, transferring client accounts, and assisting with the handover.

Please advise on the offboarding schedule, final settlement calculations (including End of Service Gratuity and accrued leave encashment under Article 51), and the timeline for residency visa and labour card cancellation.

Yours sincerely,
Jordan Lee

Short UAE resignation letter

Dear Alex Rivera,

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my role as Marketing Coordinator at Acme LLC. In line with my contractual notice period under UAE Labour Law, my last working day will be 29 October 2026.

Thank you for the opportunity to work together. I am committed to assisting with a smooth handover and will coordinate with HR regarding final settlement and visa cancellation procedures.

Yours sincerely,
Jordan Lee

Prefer to build your own wording? Use the resignation letter generator and adjust the tone, names, and dates.

Wording and format in the United Arab Emirates

In the UAE, mainland employment is regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), while financial free zones (DIFC, ADGM) operate under their own statutory employment codes. Key concepts include 'End of Service Gratuity' (EOSG), 'Labour Card Cancellation', and 'Residency Visa Cancellation'. Letters open with “Dear [Name]” and close with “Yours sincerely” or “Best regards.” Currency is UAE Dirhams (AED).

What to do

Verify your exact notice duration in your official MOHRE contract (minimum 30 days, maximum 90 days)
Deliver written notice with an exact calendar date for your final day
Request written confirmation of your End of Service Gratuity (EOSG) calculation under Article 51
Cooperate with HR for passport handover strictly for visa cancellation processing (retrieve it immediately)

What to leave out

Giving less than 30 days notice (violates Article 43 and may incur payment in lieu of notice penalties)
Allowing an employer to permanently retain your passport (strictly illegal under UAE ministerial decrees)
Signing the final settlement paper before receiving all dues in your bank account