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Appointment letter generator for UAE employers

An appointment letter confirms the job and terms once the candidate has accepted your offer. Fill in the role, salary and terms. The letter is checked against the UAE Labour Law as you type: probation over six months, notice outside 30 to 90 days, more than 8 hours a day or 48 a week, or annual leave under 30 days stops the letter and names the article.

The form starts with a worked example. Change any field.

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Company
Employee

UAE nationals receive end-of-service benefits under the pensions law instead of gratuity.

Job

Fixed-term only: unlimited contracts were abolished in 2022.

Monthly salary
Probation, hours and leave

Up to 6 months.

30 to 90 days.

Up to 8 normal hours.

Up to 48 hours a week.

At least 30 days.

Benefits
Non-compete (optional)

Only where the role gives access to clients or business secrets.

Signed by
Updating
Building your letter...

Your details are sent to our server only to build the preview and the file, then discarded. Nothing is saved or logged.

The official contract is signed through MOHRE

For mainland employers, the job offer and the employment contract are issued on MOHRE forms and signed through MOHRE systems. The official job offer must be in Arabic and English, plus a third language the worker understands where needed, and it is registered as the contract after the worker arrives. This tool drafts your own offer letter or a summary of the agreed terms. It does not replace the MOHRE documents.

Not for DIFC or ADGM

DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws, and this tool does not cover them. It follows Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which covers the mainland private sector. If you are in another free zone, check with your free zone authority, which may issue the contract instead of MOHRE.

This tool produces templates for general guidance. It is not legal advice. Check the final wording with your HR team, and for contracts with MOHRE (600 590 000) or a UAE employment lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an offer letter and an appointment letter?

An offer letter sets out the terms you are offering, for the candidate to accept. An appointment letter confirms the appointment after acceptance, usually around the joining date. Neither replaces the employment contract issued on the MOHRE form.

Can an employee start work before the work permit is issued?

No. A worker may not be employed without a work permit from MOHRE (Article 6(1)), so the appointment is conditional on the permit and the residence visa.

Are unlimited contracts still allowed in the UAE?

No. Since Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 took effect on 2 February 2022, every private-sector employment contract is for a specified period and can be renewed by agreement (Article 8(3)). Employers had to convert old unlimited contracts to fixed-term ones within one year, a period the Minister could extend (Article 68). That window has passed.

How long can a fixed-term contract be?

The current text of Article 8 sets no maximum term, and the u.ae page on contract duration gives none. Another u.ae page still mentions a three-year maximum. Because the official sources differ, this tool offers terms of one, two or three years, which fits both. Renewals count towards continuous service.

What is the maximum probation period?

Six months, and only once with the same employer (Article 9). During probation the employer must give at least 14 days' written notice. An employee who resigns to join another UAE employer must give at least one month's notice, and the new employer compensates the old one for recruitment costs unless agreed otherwise. An employee who resigns to leave the UAE must give at least 14 days' notice.

What notice period can a UAE contract have?

Between 30 and 90 days, the same for both parties unless a different period favours the employee (Article 43). The party who does not give notice pays the other the wage for the notice period, or for the part not worked.

What working hours and leave does the law require?

Normal hours are at most 8 a day or 48 a week (Article 17), reduced by two hours a day in Ramadan, with at least one paid rest day a week (Article 21). Annual leave is at least 30 days for each year of service, and two days a month once service is over six months but under a year (Article 29).

How is end-of-service gratuity worked out?

A full-time foreign employee with at least one year of continuous service receives 21 days' basic salary for each of the first five years and 30 days' basic salary for each year after that, pro rata for part years, capped at two years' wage (Article 51). UAE nationals are covered by the pensions law instead. Use our gratuity calculator for the amount.

Is a non-compete clause enforceable in the UAE?

Only within limits. It is allowed where the job gives access to clients or business secrets, must be limited in time, place and type of work, and cannot last more than two years after the contract ends (Article 10). It does not apply if the contract ends during probation or for a reason attributed to the employer, and the employee is released if they or a new employer pay up to three months' wage with the former employer's written consent (Executive Regulation, Article 12).

Does this work for DIFC or ADGM employers?

No. DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws. This tool follows Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 for the mainland private sector.

Do you store what I type?

No. Your details are sent to our server only to build the preview and the DOCX or PDF file, and the letter is returned straight to your browser. Nothing is saved, logged or used for anything else, and you do not need an account.

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