Termination letter generator for UAE employers
Choose how the employment ends and why. The letter states the notice period and last working day, the employee's rights during notice and the 14-day deadline for final pay. If a notice period, a probation rule or an Article 44 condition is not met, or the reason is one the law forbids, the letter is not created and the tool names the article.
Your details are sent to our server only to build the preview and the file, then discarded. Nothing is saved or logged.
Reasons the law forbids
The tool will not write a termination letter for these reasons. Ending employment because the employee made a serious complaint to MOHRE or filed a lawsuit against the employer that proves valid is unlawful, and the court can award up to three months' wage in compensation on top of notice pay and gratuity (Article 47). A woman's service may not be ended, and she may not be given notice, because of pregnancy, maternity leave or a related absence (Article 30(8)). Discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin or disability is prohibited (Article 4). And employment may not be ended for ill health before the employee has used the leave they are owed (Articles 31(5) and 46).
Notice, pay in lieu and probation
Either party may end the contract for a legitimate reason by giving written notice of 30 to 90 days, as agreed in the contract (Article 43(1)). The employee is paid in full during notice and, when the employer ends the contract, may take one unpaid day a week to look for work (Article 43(2) and (5)). If the employee is not asked to work the notice, they are paid notice period allowance for the full period (Article 43(3)). If the employee is on leave, notice starts the day after their scheduled return unless both agree otherwise (Article 35). During probation the employer must give at least 14 days' written notice (Article 9(1)). Final pay is due within 14 days of the end of the contract (Article 53).
Dismissal without notice
Article 44 lists ten grounds. For any of them, the employer must first hold a written investigation with the employee, and the dismissal decision must be in writing, give its reasons and be handed to the employee. Some grounds have extra conditions: for gross loss, MOHRE must be told within 7 working days; for repeated failure to perform basic duties, two warnings of dismissal are needed; and for absence, more than 7 consecutive days or more than 20 separate days in a year.
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
Does a termination letter have to be in writing in the UAE?
Yes. Article 43(1) allows either party to end the contract for a legitimate reason provided the other party is notified in writing. A dismissal without notice under Article 44 must also be in writing, give its reasons and be handed to the employee.
What notice period applies to a termination?
The period in the contract, which must be at least 30 and at most 90 days (Article 43(1)). During probation the employer must give at least 14 days' written notice (Article 9(1)). Use our notice period calculator to check dates and pay.
Can an employer end a contract without notice?
Only on one of the ten grounds in Article 44, such as forged documents, assault at work, or absence of more than 7 consecutive days or more than 20 separate days in a year, and only after a written investigation. Otherwise the employer must give notice or pay notice period allowance instead (Article 43(3)).
What counts as unlawful (arbitrary) dismissal?
Termination because the employee made a serious complaint to MOHRE or filed a lawsuit against the employer that proves valid (Article 47(1)). The court can award fair compensation of up to three months' wage, on top of notice pay and end-of-service benefits (Article 47(2) and (3)).
Can I terminate an employee who is on sick leave or maternity leave?
Not because of pregnancy or maternity leave (Article 30(8)). For ill health, the employer may end employment only after the sick leave entitlement is used up and the employee cannot return (Articles 31(5) and 46). If the employee is on any leave when notice is given, the notice period starts the day after their scheduled return unless both agree otherwise (Article 35).
When must final pay be made after termination?
Within 14 days of the end of the contract, the employer must pay the employee's wages and all other entitlements (Article 53), including end-of-service gratuity where it is due. Use our gratuity and settlement calculators for the amounts.
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.
Sources
Last checked: October 2026
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