UAE experience certificate: what to request before leaving a job
Leaving a UAE job? An experience certificate can help with your next role. Here is what employers must provide, what the document should include, and how the MOHRE digital record works.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
If you are resigning or finishing a contract, a UAE experience certificate is one document worth requesting before you leave. According to Gulf News, UAE labour law says employers must provide it on request at the end of employment, and it can help when you apply for your next job or need proof of your work history.
For many workers, this matters most during a job move. It gives you an official record of where you worked, how long you stayed, what role you held and what salary you last received.
UAE experience certificate rules workers should know
According to Gulf News, Article 13, Clause 11 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 requires employers to give workers an experience certificate if they ask for one when their employment contract ends.
The same rule also protects employees. The certificate must not include anything that harms a worker's reputation or lowers their chances of getting another job.
That point matters if you are worried about how your exit will be described. The document is meant to confirm employment facts, not damage future job prospects.
What a UAE experience certificate must include
Under UAE labour law, the certificate should contain these details:
| Required detail | What it confirms |
|---|---|
| Employment start date | When you joined |
| Employment end date | When your job finished |
| Total period of service | How long you worked there |
| Job title or type of work performed | Your role |
| Last salary received | Your final recorded pay |
| Reason for termination of the employment contract | Why the contract ended |
If any of these details are missing, ask your employer or HR team to correct the certificate before you move on.
This can also help if you are sorting out other end-of-service paperwork, such as your leave balance. If you are resigning, read our guide on unused annual leave and final settlement as well.
How to get a UAE experience certificate
The simplest option is to request the certificate directly from your employer or HR department when your contract ends.
Gulf News also reported that workers can get an official digital employment history certificate through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, MOHRE, app.
According to MOHRE, the digital certificate is valid for 1 month. Employers can verify it through inquiry.mohre.gov.ae by choosing Employee Certificate Verification and entering the letter number printed on the document.
If you are planning your move carefully, it helps to collect this certificate before your access to company systems ends. You may also want to keep copies of other core records, such as your contract. Our UAE employment contract guide covers what workers should check in their paperwork.
What changes for job seekers and employees
An experience certificate is useful, but it is not automatically required for every job application. Gulf News said UAE labour law does not create a general rule forcing jobseekers to submit one each time they apply.
Still, some employers may ask for it during hiring or background checks to confirm previous employment. That means having it ready can save time, especially if you are changing jobs quickly or your old employer becomes harder to contact later.
It can also help if there is a mismatch in your employment history. For example, if dates or salary details are questioned, the certificate gives you an official record to rely on.
If your next step is a new role, you can start tracking openings on JobXDubai Jobs. And if you are leaving the country fully, our UAE exit checklist can help you organise the rest of your paperwork.
Key takeaway
Before you leave a UAE job, ask for your experience certificate. According to Gulf News, employers must provide it on request when your contract ends, and it should include your dates of service, role, last salary and reason for termination.
You may not need it for every application, but keeping it on hand can make your next hiring process smoother.
FAQ
Is an experience certificate mandatory in the UAE?
Yes, for employers, if the worker requests it when the employment contract ends. According to Gulf News, this is required under Article 13, Clause 11 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
What should a UAE experience certificate include?
It should include the employment start date, employment end date, total period of service, job title or type of work performed, last salary received, and reason for termination of the employment contract. These are the details listed in the Gulf News report.
Can I get a digital employment history certificate in the UAE?
Yes. Gulf News said workers can obtain an official digital employment history certificate through the MOHRE app.
How long is the MOHRE digital certificate valid?
According to MOHRE, the digital certificate is valid for 1 month. Employers can verify it online using the letter number printed on the document.
Do I need an experience certificate for every UAE job application?
No, there is no general labour law rule that says every jobseeker must submit one with every application. However, some employers may ask for it during recruitment or background verification.
Further reading
- Leaving Your UAE Job? What Happens to Your Unused Annual Leave
- UAE Employment Contract Guide: 10 Essential Checks Before Signing | JobXDubai
- Permanently Leaving UAE? Essential Checklist for Visa, Banking & Property | JobXDubai
- UAE Jobs: Forge Documents and Face 10 Years in Prison – Strict UAE Law Explained
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