Understanding the One-Year Ban on a New Work Permit in the UAE

How the one-year ban works

1. 1

   Know the cases that trigger the ban

   The one-year ban is enforced in the following cases: the worker terminates the employment contract during his or her probation period, provided that the employer had not breached his or her contractual obligations; a 'work abandonment' report against the worker was proven valid; or the worker's work permit at a fictitious establishment was cancelled.

   Documents:Employment contract
2. 2

   Understand how a complaint leads to a ban

   A labour ban is imposed following a labour complaint filed by the employer after the worker commits a violation that warrants the one-year ban, in accordance with the Federal Decree-Law and its Implementing Regulations.

   Documents:Labour complaint
3. 3

   Know that MoHRE reviews the case first

   MoHRE reviews the case to verify the validity of the complaint and goes through several stages before imposing the ban, so the decision is not automatic upon a complaint being filed.

4. 4

   Check whether a ban has been imposed on you

   A worker can verify whether a work ban has been imposed on him or her by contacting MoHRE's call centre at 600590000, which is available from 8 am to 8 pm.

5. 5

   Know how and when the ban ends

   A labour ban is lifted automatically after the lapse of the ban period imposed by MoHRE. Please note that the ban period starts once the worker departs from the UAE.

Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.

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