UAE Probation Period Rules: 6 Months Maximum and the Notice You Must Give
In the UAE, probation can last up to 6 months and can't be extended. Employers need 14 days' notice to end it; workers need 1 month to switch jobs or 14 days to leave the UAE.
UAEIn brief
- Probation in the UAE can last at most 6 months and cannot be extended.
- An employer ending your job during probation must give 14 days' written notice.
- To leave during probation, give 1 month's notice to join another UAE employer, or 14 days to leave the UAE.
- Probation months count as service, including for gratuity.
| Country | UAE |
|---|---|
| Organization | UAE Government (u.ae) / MoHRE |
| Official source | UAE Government portal – Employment contracts and probation ✓ u.ae |
Most new jobs in the UAE start with a probation period. Here is what the law says about how long it can last and how either side can end it.
How long probation can be
- Maximum 6 months.
- It cannot be extended or renewed.
- If you stay on after probation, the probation months count as service, including for gratuity.
If your employer ends your job during probation
The employer must give you 14 days' written notice.
If you want to leave during probation
The notice depends on where you are going next:
| Your plan | Notice you must give |
|---|---|
| Move to another employer in the UAE | At least 1 month in writing |
| Leave the UAE | At least 14 days in writing |
Recruitment costs: if you move to another UAE employer during probation, the new employer must pay your old employer's recruitment costs, unless they agree otherwise. The same applies if you leave the UAE and come back on a new work permit within 3 months.
Contract types to know
- Fixed-term contracts: all private-sector contracts are now fixed-term. They can be renewed, and renewals count towards gratuity. If both sides keep working after the end date, the contract is treated as renewed on the same terms.
- Work models: full-time, part-time (one or more employers), temporary (ends when the task is done) and flexible (hours or days change with business needs).
Practical tips
- Get your probation length in writing in your offer letter and MoHRE contract.
- Give notice in writing (email is fine), and keep a copy.
- Plan your next job before resigning, so you give the right length of notice.
Related: Notice periods, resignation and termination in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the probation period in the UAE?
A maximum of 6 months. It cannot be extended or renewed.
What notice is needed to resign during probation in the UAE?
At least 1 month in writing if you are moving to another UAE employer, or at least 14 days if you are leaving the UAE.
Can my employer terminate me during probation in the UAE?
Yes, with 14 days' written notice.
Does probation count towards gratuity in the UAE?
Yes. If you stay on after probation, the probation months count as service, including for gratuity.
Apply only through the official source.
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