What is a notice period?
A notice period is the time between telling the other side that the job will end and the actual last day of work. It works in both directions. If you resign, you give notice to your employer. If your employer ends your contract, it gives notice to you.
The purpose is fairness. The employer gets time to find a replacement and plan a handover. The worker gets time to look for a new job while still earning a salary. In the UAE, the notice period also affects your visa, your final settlement and sometimes your ability to work again quickly.
Getting the dates wrong can cost money. If you leave one week too early, your employer may deduct a week of pay. If your employer pushes you out early, it may owe you pay for the days it cut. This UAE notice period calculator helps you get the date and the money right.
Notice period rules under UAE Labour Law
The private sector labour law in the UAE is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relations. It took effect on 2 February 2022. Notice rules after probation are in Article 43. Probation notice rules are in Article 9.
Key points of Article 43
- Written notice. Either side can end the contract for a legitimate reason by giving notice in writing.
- 30 to 90 days. The notice period must be at least 30 days and not more than 90 days. Your contract sets the exact length.
- Full pay during notice. The worker is entitled to the full wage for the notice period, based on the last wage, and must keep doing the job if the employer asks.
- Waiving or shortening. Both sides may agree to waive the notice or make it shorter. The worker's rights for the agreed period remain protected.
- Compensation if notice is not given. The side that fails to give notice must pay the other side compensation equal to the worker's wage for the whole notice period or the part that was not served. This applies even if no harm was caused.
- Job search day. If the employer ends the contract, the worker may take one unpaid working day each week during the notice period to look for a new job, after telling the employer at least three days in advance.
The law does not say which salary to use for notice pay. It just says "wage". Gulf News, quoting a UAE lawyer, explains that this normally means the full salary including allowances, not just basic salary. That is different from gratuity, which uses only basic salary. Our calculator uses your total monthly wage.
What about old unlimited contracts?
Under the old law, many workers had "unlimited" contracts. The new law required all contracts to move to fixed-term contracts. Some legal guides mention longer minimum notice periods linked to length of service for contracts that were still unlimited during the change-over. Today, almost all private sector workers are on fixed-term contracts with a notice period of 30 to 90 days. If you have an unusual older contract, check with MOHRE.
Notice period during probation
Probation can last up to six months under the law. During probation, the notice rules are shorter and different from Article 43. They are set in Article 9.
If the employer ends the contract during probation
The employer must give at least 14 days' written notice. Under the old law, workers on probation could be dismissed the same day. That is no longer allowed.
If you resign during probation to join another UAE employer
You must give at least 30 days' written notice (one month). The new employer must compensate your current employer for the cost of hiring you, such as visa and recruitment costs, unless the two employers agree otherwise. Those costs should not be passed on to you. As reported by The National, a worker is not personally liable for charges, fees or penalties for resigning.
If you resign during probation to leave the UAE
You must give at least 14 days' written notice. If you then come back and take a new job in the UAE within three months of leaving, the rules for moving to another employer apply. In that case, the new employer must compensate the old employer.
What happens if you leave without notice during probation
If a foreign worker on probation leaves the UAE without giving the required notice, the law says no new work permit should be issued for one year from the date of leaving. This is the probation "ban" people talk about. The simple way to avoid it is to give proper written notice and keep a copy.
Choose the right "Situation" option in the calculator above and it will fill in the minimum probation notice for you.
How to calculate your last working day
The law gives the length of notice but does not say exactly how to count the first day. Most employers start counting from the day after you hand in your notice. Some count the notice day itself as day 1. The calculator lets you choose.
If notice date is day 1: Last working day = Notice date + Notice days − 1
Notice is counted in calendar days, not working days. Weekends and public holidays inside the notice period still count.
Days remaining
If the result is zero or negative, your notice period has already ended.
Notice and annual leave
UAE lawyers note that notice should not normally start while you are on annual leave. It begins after you return, unless you and your employer agree something else. If you plan to resign around a holiday, agree the dates with HR in writing first.
Payment in lieu of notice
Payment in lieu of notice means money paid instead of working the notice period. It can go either way:
- If your employer ends the contract and asks you to leave at once, it should pay you for the notice days you did not get to work.
- If you leave before your notice ends without the employer's agreement, the employer may claim the wage for the days you did not serve, usually by deducting it from your final settlement.
The formula
Pay in lieu = Daily wage × (Notice days − Days already served)
The ÷ 30 method is the standard one used across the UAE for daily rates. If your contract uses a different method, follow your contract.
Payment in lieu of notice is part of your final settlement, along with gratuity, unpaid salary and unused leave. To add everything together, use our UAE Final Settlement Calculator.
Worked examples
All examples use the default counting method (counting starts the day after notice is given). Enter the same numbers above to see the same results.
Example 1: Standard 30-day notice
Sana resigns from a marketing agency in Sharjah. She hands in her letter on 1 November 2026. Her contract says 30 days' notice. Her total monthly wage is AED 9,000.
- Last working day: 1 November + 30 days = 1 December 2026
- Daily wage: 9,000 ÷ 30 = AED 300
- Wage for the full notice period: 300 × 30 = AED 9,000.00
If her employer tells her she can leave the same day without working the notice, it should pay her AED 9,000.00 in lieu of notice.
Example 2: 60-day notice, partly served
Hamza works for an engineering firm in Abu Dhabi on a total wage of AED 12,000. His employer gives him notice on 15 October 2026 with a 60-day notice period. After 20 days, the employer decides it no longer needs him in the office and ends his job early.
- Original last working day: 15 October + 60 days = 14 December 2026
- Daily wage: 12,000 ÷ 30 = AED 400
- Unserved days: 60 − 20 = 40
- Payment in lieu: 400 × 40 = AED 16,000.00
Because his employer ended the contract, Hamza could also take one unpaid day per week to attend interviews during the 20 days he worked.
Example 3: Probation – employer ends the contract
Grace is in her third month of probation as a receptionist. Her total wage is AED 6,000. Her employer tells her in writing on 3 November 2026 that it will not keep her.
- Minimum probation notice from employer: 14 days
- Last working day: 3 November + 14 days = 17 November 2026
- Daily wage: 6,000 ÷ 30 = AED 200
- If the employer asks her to leave immediately: 200 × 14 = AED 2,800.00
Example 4: Maximum 90-day notice
A senior finance manager earning AED 15,000 a month gives notice on 20 December 2026. His contract has the maximum 90-day notice period.
- Last working day: 20 December 2026 + 90 days = 20 March 2027
- Wage for the notice period: 500 × 90 = AED 45,000.00
If he works the whole notice, no payment in lieu is due. He simply receives his normal salary until 20 March 2027.
Quick reference table
| Situation | Minimum notice | Legal source |
|---|---|---|
| Employer ends contract during probation | 14 days | Article 9 |
| Worker resigns in probation to join another UAE employer | 30 days (one month) | Article 9 |
| Worker resigns in probation to leave the UAE | 14 days | Article 9 |
| Either side ends a contract after probation | 30 to 90 days (as in contract) | Article 43 |
| Serious misconduct by worker | No notice needed | Article 44 |
| Serious breach by employer | Worker may leave without notice | Article 45 |
The next table shows payment in lieu for common salaries and notice lengths, using the ÷ 30 daily rate.
| Total monthly wage | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 3,000 | AED 1,400 | AED 3,000 | AED 6,000 | AED 9,000 |
| AED 6,000 | AED 2,800 | AED 6,000 | AED 12,000 | AED 18,000 |
| AED 10,000 | AED 4,666.67 | AED 10,000 | AED 20,000 | AED 30,000 |
| AED 15,000 | AED 7,000 | AED 15,000 | AED 30,000 | AED 45,000 |
Special cases
Garden leave
Some employers ask a worker to stop coming to work but keep them on the payroll until the notice period ends. This is often called garden leave. You remain an employee and should receive your full salary until the last day. Your gratuity and leave also keep building up during this time.
Resigning without notice: Article 45
Article 45 lets a worker leave without notice in certain serious situations. Examples include the employer failing to meet its legal or contract duties after the worker has complained to MOHRE and the problem has not been fixed, assault by the employer, or a serious danger at work that the employer ignores. These are exceptions. Get advice before relying on them.
Dismissal without notice: Article 44
Article 44 lets an employer dismiss a worker without notice for serious reasons such as fraud, disclosing company secrets, or long absence without a valid reason. No payment in lieu of notice is due in these cases. The employer must follow the legal process, including a written investigation in many cases.
Notice and gratuity
Serving your notice period counts as service. If your notice takes you past your one-year or five-year anniversary, it can increase your gratuity. Check the effect with our UAE Gratuity Calculator before you choose your resignation date.
Notice and unused leave
Some workers ask to use their remaining annual leave during notice. This needs the employer's agreement. If you do not use it, your unused leave must be paid at the end, based on basic salary. Our UAE Leave Salary Calculator shows the amount.
Free zones, DIFC and ADGM
Most free zones follow the federal labour law, so the same notice rules apply. DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws with their own notice rules. If you work there, check your contract and the free zone's law.
Notice during sick leave
Notice periods and sick leave can overlap in practice. The law protects workers on approved sick leave, so an employer should be careful about ending a contract during it. If you fall ill during your notice period, send your medical certificate to HR at once and ask in writing how your last working day will be treated.
Domestic workers
Domestic workers are covered by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, which has separate rules. This calculator is for private sector employees under Decree-Law 33 of 2021.
Common mistakes
- Giving notice only by word of mouth. Notice should be in writing. Use email or a signed letter and keep a copy.
- Counting working days. Notice is counted in calendar days, including weekends.
- Using basic salary for notice pay. Notice pay is normally based on your full wage, not only basic.
- Leaving early without agreement. The days you skip can be deducted from your final settlement.
- Ignoring probation rules. Leaving the country during probation without 14 days' notice can lead to a one-year work permit ban.
- Assuming the contract can say 120 days. The legal maximum is 90 days.
- Forgetting to agree a shorter period in writing. If your employer lets you leave early, ask for written confirmation that no deduction will be made.
If there is a dispute about notice
Most notice issues can be solved by talking to HR. If that does not work:
- Collect your evidence: your contract, your resignation or termination letter, emails, and payslips.
- Ask the employer in writing to confirm your last working day and any notice pay.
- File a labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) through the MOHRE app, website or call centre.
- MOHRE will try to settle the matter. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, MOHRE can decide claims up to AED 50,000. Larger or unresolved cases go to the labour court.
Your employer must pay all final dues, including any notice pay, within 14 days of the contract ending (Article 53). Labour claims must be filed within two years of the end of employment.
Working in another Gulf country? Rules differ. For example, see our Saudi End of Service Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum notice period in the UAE?
For a normal contract after probation, Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 sets a notice period of at least 30 days and no more than 90 days. Your contract states the exact number.
Can my notice period be more than 90 days?
No. The law sets 90 days as the maximum notice period. A longer period in a contract is not in line with the law.
Do I get paid during my notice period?
Yes. You are entitled to your full wage for the notice period, based on your last wage, as long as you keep working or are kept on garden leave by the employer.
How is payment in lieu of notice calculated?
It equals the worker's wage for the whole notice period, or for the part of it that was not served. A common method is total monthly wage divided by 30, multiplied by the unserved notice days.
What notice do I give if I resign during probation in the UAE?
Under Article 9, you must give at least 30 days' written notice if you are moving to another employer in the UAE, and at least 14 days' written notice if you are leaving the country.
How much notice must my employer give me during probation?
An employer that ends your contract during probation must give you at least 14 days' written notice.
Can I be banned if I leave without notice during probation?
Yes. If a foreign worker on probation leaves the UAE without giving the required notice, the law says a new work permit should not be issued for one year from the date they leave.
Can my employer and I agree to a shorter notice period?
Yes. Both sides can agree to waive or shorten the notice period. The law protects the worker's rights for the agreed period, so get any such agreement in writing.
Can I take time off to look for a job during notice?
If your employer ended your contract, Article 43 lets you take one unpaid working day per week during the notice period to look for a new job, after telling the employer at least three days before.
Can I leave without serving notice?
Only in special cases listed in Article 45, such as serious employer breaches that are not fixed after a MOHRE complaint, or assault. Otherwise, leaving early means you may have to pay for the unserved notice days.
Disclaimer
This calculator and article give an estimate for general guidance only. They are not legal advice. Your contract or a MOHRE or court decision may lead to a different result. Always confirm your dates and payments with your employer or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Sources and references
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relations (Articles 9, 43, 44, 45 and 53); Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (Executive Regulations); Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 amending Decree-Law 33 of 2021; Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers. Official portal: UAE Government portal – Employment in the private sector.