United Arab Emirates · employment

Can My Employer Deduct Visa Costs from My Salary in the UAE?

Under United Arab Emirates law, employers are strictly prohibited from recovering or deducting visa, residency, or recruitment fees from your salary under any circumstances. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 places this entire financial burden solely on the employer. If your company is illegally withholding your pay, you have strong legal protections and clear options to dispute the deduction.

What UAE Law Says About Visa Cost Deductions

Under the laws of the United Arab Emirates, your employer is strictly prohibited from deducting visa, residency, or recruitment costs from your salary. The primary legislation governing this issue is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (widely known as the UAE Labour Law).

Specifically, Article 6 of this law explicitly states that employers are prohibited from charging workers for the fees and costs of recruitment and employment, or collecting them, whether directly or indirectly. This mandatory rule covers all expenses associated with your hiring, including entry visas, medical examinations, residency permit issuance, and even recruitment agency fees.

Furthermore, Article 25 of the same law lists the exclusive permitted categories for salary deductions (such as loan repayments with written consent or court-ordered debts capped at specific percentages). Visa and recruitment costs are completely absent from this list. Consequently, any clause in an employment contract—even one you voluntarily signed—that attempts to pass these costs onto you is legally null, void, and unenforceable under UAE law.

The 'But You Resigned' Excuse

Employers frequently try to bypass the law by claiming that if you resign during your probation period or before completing a full year of service, you are contractually obligated to pay back your visa costs. This is a common tactic used to pressure workers into staying or forfeiting their final settlements.

Let's be absolutely clear: there is no provision under UAE Labour Law that forces an employee to repay their visa costs upon resignation. Even if you decide to leave the company, the legal responsibility for these hiring expenses remains entirely with the employer. While the law allows a new employer to sometimes compensate your old employer for recruitment costs under specific, narrow conditions during probation, the financial burden can never legally be placed on the employee.

Allowing your employer to pocket your hard-earned wages under the guise of 'visa expenses' is simply giving in to wage theft. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) takes a very strict stance against companies that violate these regulations, and you have every right to stand your ground and fight for your money.

What You Can Do Next

If your employer has already docked your salary or is threatening to do so, your immediate priority should be building a clear paper trail. Request an itemized breakdown of your salary deduction in writing (via email or WhatsApp) so you have undeniable proof of the deduction. Once they provide it—or if they refuse—reply formally by citing Article 6 and Article 25 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 to signal that you understand your legal rights. Many companies will quickly back down and refund your wages once they realize they cannot bully you.

If the employer refuses to cooperate, you should file an official labor dispute with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). You can do this easily online through the MOHRE website, their mobile app, or by calling their dedicated helpline. MOHRE will then initiate a mediation process to help resolve the dispute and compel the employer to pay you.

To navigate this stressful situation successfully, you do not have to go at it alone. You can use Caunsel to research UAE employment laws, organize and securely save your contracts and payslips in a dedicated digital case, or connect directly with an independent UAE-licensed lawyer who can review your specific circumstances and advise you on the best path forward.

Steps

• Document the illegal deduction: Securely save copies of your official MOHRE-registered employment contract, bank statements showing the exact amount transferred, and all your monthly payslips.
• Request an itemized written breakdown: Send a written message to your HR department or manager asking them to formally explain the exact reason for the deduction in writing.
• Submit a formal written objection: Reply to their explanation by citing Article 6 and Article 25 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, and demand a full refund of the illegally withheld amount.
• File a complaint with MOHRE: If they refuse to refund the money, submit a formal labor dispute via the MOHRE app or website, which will trigger an official mediation process.

Common mistakes

• Signing final settlement papers or visa cancellation forms that state you have received all of your financial entitlements and have no further claims against the company.
• Agreeing to verbal or informal payment plans to pay back visa costs in cash outside the official payroll system.
• Believing that resigning during your probation period legally nullifies your rights and makes you liable for visa expenses.

Questions people ask

Can my employer deduct visa renewal costs if I continue working with the company?

No. Under Article 6 of the UAE Labour Law, the employer is solely responsible for all recruitment, employment, and residency-renewal costs. They cannot pass renewal charges on to you under any circumstances.

What if my signed employment contract contains a clause saying I must repay visa costs?

Any such clause is completely invalid. Under UAE law, contractual provisions that conflict with the protections of the Labour Law to the employee's detriment are legally null and void, meaning the clause has no legal standing.

Is there a time limit for filing a salary deduction claim with MOHRE?

Yes. Under Article 54 of the UAE Labour Law, labor claims must be brought within one year of the date the entitlement became due. It is highly recommended to file your complaint immediately to avoid unnecessary delays.

General information only, last updated 2026-10-06. Caunsel is not a law firm and does not practise law. AI answers and this guide are not legal advice. Verify filings, deadlines, and statutes with a licensed lawyer in United Arab Emirates.