The first thing to understand when you start working in Dubai or any other Emirates is about employment laws in Dubai. Don’t get stuck! We are here with this handy guide to help with the basic relationship between an employee and his employer.
Other notable information includes the UAE Labour Law, and how the employment contracts are made. Additionally, the probation and notice periods in the private sector. Let’s discuss it!
Things to know about UAE labour law 2024
UAE labor law refers to rules and regulations that must be complied with by both employer and employee. Based on Federal Law No. 8, the law was established to build labour relations in the UAE.
The most prominent things that you should consider for employment laws in Dubai include:
Employment contracts:
Work contracts should be fixed-term only; they can be extended but not beyond a continuous period of two to three years.
Note: It is flexible if specific clauses can be included as long as they do not contradict the requirements set forth by labour law Dubai.
Gratuity pay and end-of-service benefits:
The gratuity is 21 days of salary for every year for the first five years and 30 days in the case of each additional year of service for a worker who has completed at least one year in service.
Resignation and termination:
Usually, a notice period of 30 to 90 days is served as stated on the employee’s contracts, and this is the same procedure an employer should follow if they decide to terminate the employee.
Labour disputes and resolution:
While the law encourages the amicable settling of disputes, it is the right for an employee to file a case at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation or at the courts of law, as may be appropriate.
Visa regulations and work permits:
This also means that the organizations must check if all their employees have valid working visas and permits. The UAE freelance visas allow freelancers/self-employed to have their choice of flexibility in how they work.

Types of work agreements in UAE
To work in UAE, you can have various types of arrangements. The most common type of work agreements employees get according to the labor law UAE are:
- Full-time – you work for a single employer on a full-time basis.
- Part-time – you work for single or multiple employers for fixed hours or days
- Temporary work – You take up a specific assignment.
- Flexible work – your working hours or days would vary based on the employer’s requirements.
Understanding the cost of a 2-Year employment visa in Dubai
The 2 years employment visa in Dubai price usually varies according to several reasons: if the sponsoring company falls under a particular category, the employee’s job category, and even depending on the location of the company.
The cost is normally in the range of AED 5,000 to AED 7,000 on average for employees in the private sector.
How to secure an employment visa in Dubai?
The steps to be followed to get an employment visa according to Dubai employment laws are as follows:
- After offering the job, the employer applies for an employment visa from MOHRE and GDRFA. Such costs include application fees, medical fitness tests, Emirates ID registration, and health insurance coverage, and all are obligatory under the necessities of Dubai employment laws.
- The government has resolved that the employer can get a 2-year visa for the employee in Dubai. But one should keep in mind that the cost of the visa is always payable by the employer.
- As per employment laws in Dubai, the employee not allowed to pay the visa costs. The due process for cancellation in case of termination by the employer or resignation by the employee, along with the issuance of an end-of-service gratuity payment, also falls under the guidelines of the law.
Conclusion
Labor laws in Dubai for 2024 are clear and to the point, promising fair treatment of employees, transparency in employment contracts, and security in employment. From having a 2-year employment visa in Dubai to compliance with Dubai employment law, companies cannot afford to breach strict policies. The cost of an employment visa and the rights to end-of-service gratuity, maternity leave, and anti-discrimination policies are all part of Dubai’s adherence to international standards of labor!
Emirates Business Setup will extensively help the business through such legal requirements. Our business consultants in Dubai expedite the application process for a visa. We ensure that this is done in a timely manner while guiding employers on compliance with Dubai Labor Laws.



