Probation in the UAE is not a legal grey zone where you can be dismissed on a whim, and it is not a trap you cannot leave. The 2022 labour law sets exact rules for how long probation can run, how much notice each side must give, and what happens if you want to jump to another employer mid-probation.
Getting these rules wrong is expensive. Resign the wrong way during probation and you can face a one-year work permit ban. Here is what the law actually says.
The hard limits
- Maximum six months. Probation cannot legally exceed six months, and an employer cannot extend it or impose a second probation for the same job. Anything in your contract beyond six months is unenforceable.
- It must be in your MOHRE contract. The probation length in your signed labour contract is the one that counts, not what HR says verbally.
- Passing is automatic. If you continue working past the probation end date, you are confirmed, and the probation time counts as part of your total service for gratuity and leave calculations later.
For where probation sits within your wider entitlements, see the UAE labour law 2026 overview.
Notice rules during probation
The notice periods during probation are shorter than the standard 30 to 90 days, and they differ by who is leaving and why:
- Employer terminates you: 14 days' written notice. No reason has to be proven during probation, but the notice itself is mandatory and must be paid.
- You resign to join another UAE employer: 30 days' written notice. The new employer is generally expected to compensate your current one for recruitment costs, which is handled between the companies, not by you.
- You resign to leave the UAE: 14 days' written notice. If you then return and take a UAE job within three months, the new employer covers the previous employer's recruitment costs.
Leaving during probation without giving the legal notice can trigger a one-year ban on a new UAE work permit. Some categories, such as golden visa holders, are exempt, so confirm your own position with MOHRE before acting.
What you are entitled to during probation
Probation staff are employees, not trial goods. During probation you are entitled to:
- Full agreed salary, paid on time through the wage protection system. Late or short payment is a dispute you can raise, as covered in our MOHRE salary dispute guide.
- Medical insurance, which your employer must provide from day one.
- Public holidays and legal working-hour limits, the same as confirmed staff.
- Accrued annual leave, though employers commonly ask you to take it after confirmation.
What you do not yet get: paid sick leave generally begins only after you complete probation, and gratuity requires at least one full year of service. If you are dismissed during probation, you are owed your salary up to the last day and pay for the 14-day notice, but no gratuity.
Leaving probation cleanly: a checklist
- Re-read the probation and notice clause in your MOHRE contract.
- Resign in writing, dated, stating your last working day, and keep proof of delivery.
- Give the correct notice: 30 days if moving to another UAE employer, 14 days if exiting the country.
- Work the notice normally. Walking out early converts a clean exit into a potential ban and a compensation claim.
- Collect your final salary and a cancellation confirmation, then track your visa status. The rules after cancellation are in our guide to switching jobs and notice periods.
If the role failed because of the employer, document everything before you go. And if you are re-entering the market, focus your next search on fewer, better-fitting roles on the live UAE job board rather than repeating a rushed match.
Key takeaway
UAE probation is capped at six months, cannot be extended, and has fixed exits: 14 days' notice if the employer terminates or you leave the country, 30 days if you move to another UAE employer. Give notice in writing and serve it fully, because skipping it risks a one-year work permit ban.
FAQ
Can my employer extend my probation beyond six months?
No. Six months is the absolute legal maximum and extensions or repeat probations with the same employer are not permitted. A contract clause claiming otherwise is void.
Do I get paid if I am terminated during probation?
Yes. You are owed your full salary up to your final day, including the 14-day notice period, plus any unused accrued entitlements. You do not receive gratuity, which requires a completed year of service.
Can I switch to another UAE company during probation?
Yes. Give your current employer 30 days' written notice, and the hiring company typically settles recruitment-cost compensation with your old employer. There is no personal penalty when you follow the notice rule.
Does probation count as service for gratuity?
Yes, once you pass probation and stay, the clock runs from your first working day, not from confirmation. If you leave or are dismissed during probation itself, no gratuity is due.
