Key Takeaway: Your notice period pay in the UAE is calculated based on your MOHRE employment contract — not your labour card. If your employer uses labour card dates instead, they may be underpaying you. Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 makes this clear.
You’ve resigned. Or you’ve been let go. Either way, notice period compensation is one of the first things on your mind.
But here’s a question that catches many UAE employees off guard: what if the dates on your labour card don’t match your official employment contract? And what if your employer uses the labour card to calculate your notice pay?
Even a few days’ difference can affect the amount you receive. So which document actually counts?
The Short Answer: Your MOHRE Contract Decides Everything
According to lawyer Mohammed Elmasry, Associate at Al Suwaidi and Company, notice period calculations must be based on your MOHRE-registered employment contract — not the labour card.
“Notice calculation is based on the MOHRE employment contract, not the labour card,” El Masry confirmed.
This distinction matters. Your labour card may show slightly different dates from your official contract. Some employers — intentionally or not — use those labour card dates to calculate notice pay. If the dates are shorter, you receive less money.
Your employment rights, including notice period duration and compensation, stem directly from what’s written in the MOHRE contract. No other document overrides it.
What Does UAE Law Say About Notice Periods?
The rules sit under Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations. Here’s what the law requires:
Written notice is mandatory. Either the employer or employee must give written notice before ending the contract. Verbal agreements don’t count.
The employment relationship continues during the notice period. Your contract remains active until the notice period expires. You’re still an employee with full rights.
Notice must fall between 30 and 90 days. The exact duration depends on what’s stated in your employment contract. It could be one month, two months, or three months — but it cannot be shorter than 30 days or longer than 90 days.
You receive your full salary throughout. Article 43 confirms you’re entitled to full remuneration during the notice period, calculated on your most recent salary.
For a broader overview of how notice periods work across the UAE, we’ve covered the full framework separately.
What Happens If Notice Isn’t Served?
This is where “payment in lieu of notice” comes in.
If either party — employer or employee — fails to complete the full notice period, they must pay compensation. This applies regardless of whether any actual harm was caused.
The compensation amount equals the employee’s last received wage, covering the full unserved portion of the notice period.
So if your contract states a 60-day notice period and you only serve 30 days, your employer owes you 30 days’ salary. The same applies in reverse — if you leave without serving notice, you may owe your employer the equivalent amount.
This is why knowing your exact contractual notice period is critical. It directly determines how much money changes hands.
What About Termination During Probation?
Different rules apply if you’re still within your probation period.
Under Article 9(1) of the UAE Labour Law, an employer terminating an employee during probation must provide 14 days’ written notice. This is shorter than the standard 30-to-90-day range.
If you’re the one resigning during probation, the notice requirements depend on your next steps — whether you’re joining another UAE employer (one month’s notice) or leaving the country (14 days’ notice).
How to Check Your Official Notice Period
If you’re unsure what notice period applies to you, check your MOHRE-registered employment contract. This is the only document that legally defines your notice obligations.
You can access your contract through:
- MOHRE Website: Visit mohre.gov.ae, go to Services, select “View Approved Contract,” and verify using your Emirates ID
- MOHRE Mobile App: Download the official app, log in with UAE Pass, and access your contract under “My Dashboard”
Don’t rely on your offer letter, labour card, or any internal HR documents. The MOHRE contract is the legally binding reference for all employment terms, including termination and notice provisions.
Your Salary Rights During the Notice Period — A Quick Summary
Here’s what Article 43 guarantees during your notice period:
- Full wages based on your most recent salary
- The employment contract remains active until notice expires
- If notice isn’t served, compensation covers the entire unserved duration
- Compensation is owed even if no financial harm resulted
For employees who are asked to leave immediately after resigning, the same principles apply. You’re entitled to notice period pay whether you’re physically present at work or placed on garden leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is notice period pay calculated from the labour card or the employment contract?
Notice period pay is always calculated based on your MOHRE-registered employment contract. The labour card is not the determining document for notice period calculations under UAE law.
How long is the notice period in the UAE?
UAE law requires notice periods between 30 and 90 days. Your specific notice period depends on what’s written in your employment contract. Both employer and employee must follow this duration.
What is payment in lieu of notice in the UAE?
Payment in lieu of notice is the compensation paid when either party doesn’t complete the full notice period. It equals the employee’s last received wage for the unserved portion of the notice period.
Can my employer use a different document to calculate my notice pay?
No. Under Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, your MOHRE employment contract is the legal basis for all notice period calculations. Other documents, including the labour card, do not override it.
What is the notice period during probation in the UAE?
If an employer terminates during probation, they must give 14 days’ written notice under Article 9(1). Employees resigning during probation must give one month’s notice if joining another UAE employer, or 14 days if leaving the country.
How do I check my official notice period?
Access your MOHRE-registered employment contract through mohre.gov.ae or the MOHRE mobile app using your Emirates ID or UAE Pass. This document contains your legally binding notice period.
Am I entitled to full salary during my notice period?
Yes. Article 43 states that employees receive their full remuneration during the notice period, based on the most recent salary received.
Further Reading
- UAE Notice Period Rules: Essential Guide for Employers & Employees
- Can Employers Legally Enforce 3-Month Notice Periods?
- Download Your UAE Labour Contract Free: Complete MOHRE Guide
- UAE Employee Dismissal Rights and Compensation Guide 2025
- UAE Employment Contracts: Guide to Severance Packages & Gratuity
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