You have got a new offer on the table, and the excitement is real. But before you type out that resignation letter, pause for a second, because this is where a lot of professionals in the UAE quietly make expensive mistakes.
Can you use your leftover annual leave during your notice period in the UAE? When does your notice period actually end? And when can you legally tell your new employer you are available to start?
These are not just HR technicalities. Get them wrong, and you could delay your new role, lose money you are owed, or land yourself in breach of contract.
What UAE Labour Law Actually Says About Notice Periods?
The UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) is pretty clear on this. When either side wants to end an employment contract, a notice period must be served. After the resignation notice period in the UAE, you cannot just walk out, and your employer cannot just show you the door, without consequences.
The standard notice period in the UAE starts at 30 days. Depending on your seniority and what your contract says, it could stretch to 60 or 90 days.
| Contract Type | Minimum Notice Period |
|---|---|
| Standard limited or unlimited contract | 30 days |
| Senior or managerial roles | As per the contract (60 to 90 days is common) |
| Resignation during probation | 14 days' written notice |
| Employer termination during probation | 14 days notice |
One thing the MOHRE notice period guidelines are firm about: neither party gets to just walk away. You either serve the notice or compensate for it.
Still in Probation? The Rules Are a Bit Different
Thinking of resigning before you have even cleared your probation? It happens more than people admit, and the rules do shift here.
If you resign from a job in Dubai during probation, the UAE labour law notice period only requires 14 days' notice. Sounds straightforward. But here is the part most people miss. If you are leaving to join another company inside the UAE rather than exiting the country, your new employer may need to cover your current employer's recruitment costs. It is not always enforced, but it is written into the law and worth knowing before you time your move.
What Happens to Your Unused Annual Leave?
Here is a question worth asking well before you hand in your notice: how many leave days have you actually built up?
If you cannot use them during your notice period, or your employer simply does not approve them, that balance does not disappear. Under UAE notice period rules, your employer is legally required to pay out any accrued unused leave as part of your final settlement.
The leave salary calculation itself is simple:
Leave salary = (Basic salary / 30) x Number of accrued leave days
| Contract Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Accrued leave balance | Days you have earned but not taken |
| Calculation base | Basic salary only, not allowances |
| Payment timeline | Within 14 days of your last working day |
| Governed by | MOHRE final settlement guidelines |
Before you resign, ask HR for a written breakdown of your current leave balance. Do not go in blind.
Can You Actually Use Leave During Your Notice Period?
Technically, you can request to use annual leave during your notice period. But your employer has every right to say no. There is no clause in the UAE labour law that forces them to approve it.
If they agree, your leave days run alongside your notice, which means your last working day comes sooner. If they decline, you serve the full notice, and the unused days get added to your final settlement payout instead.
The takeaway? Have this conversation with HR the same day you resign, or even before. Do not tell your new employer a start date until you know where you stand.
Making Your Next Career Move? We Are Here to Help You Land Faster
Resigning correctly is only part of a successful transition. Equally important is ensuring you are well positioned to secure your next role without unnecessary delay. Pink Camel Jobsite's Career Consultation Call offers a dedicated 30-minute session with a Career Consultant to help you approach your next move with clarity and confidence.
- Personalized career guidance & expert advice: Every professional's circumstances differ, whether you are resigning during probation, negotiating a notice period, or simply exploring new opportunities. Your consultant reviews your specific situation and provides advice tailored to your role, industry, and career stage, rather than generic recommendations.
- CV review with ATS optimization: Most UAE employers use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software to screen applications before a recruiter sees them. During your session, your CV is reviewed and refined to ensure it is correctly formatted and optimised to pass these systems, reducing the risk of being filtered out at the first stage.
- LinkedIn profile optimisation: Recruiters across the UAE actively search LinkedIn to identify and approach candidates. Your consultant assesses your profile and advises on the changes needed to improve your visibility in recruiter searches and strengthen the impression you make.
- 30-minute 1-1 session with a Career Consultant: This session is conducted on a one-to-one basis, allowing you to discuss your resignation timing, notice period, or broader career plans directly with a consultant and leave with clear, actionable next steps.
Explore our full range of jobseeker services and find the right support for where you are in your career journey. Visit our website to see everything we offer and how we help professionals across the UAE move into their next role faster.
FAQs
What is the minimum notice period in the UAE?
For standard employment contracts, it is 30 days. During probation, it drops to 14 days.
After resignation, how is the notice period handled in the UAE?
You serve out the agreed notice period, continue receiving your full salary and benefits, and your employer processes your final settlement once your last day is complete.
What does the UAE labour law say about the resignation notice period?
The law sets a floor of 30 days and a ceiling of 90 days. Where you land within that range comes down to what your employment contract actually says.
What is the notice period during probation in the UAE?
Just 14 days. That said, if your next role is with another UAE-based company rather than abroad, there are compensation rules between employers that can come into play, so do not overlook that detail.
Can I take sick leave during my notice period?
If you are genuinely unwell and have the medical paperwork to back it up, yes. Your notice period carries on ticking whether you are in the office or at home recovering.
