The United Arab Emirates has officially outlined the conditions under which a foreign worker in the private sector can be blocked from obtaining a new work permit for one year. The restriction applies when a worker breaches any provision of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, which governs employment relationships in the private sector, along with its amendments and implementing regulations, according to the UAE government's official website.
Three Specific Scenarios Trigger the One-Year Ban
The UAE government lists three distinct situations that attract the one-year work permit ban for foreign workers. These scenarios range from voluntary resignation during probation to verified work abandonment and permit cancellation at a fraudulent establishment.
First, a worker who terminates an employment contract during the probation period can face the ban, but only if the employer has not breached their contractual obligations. If the company fulfilled its side of the agreement and the worker chose to leave early regardless, the penalty applies.
Work Abandonment and Fictitious Firms
Second, a proven work abandonment report triggers the ban. If an employer files a work abandonment report against a worker and that report is subsequently verified as valid, the affected individual becomes liable for the one-year restriction. Work abandonment refers to situations where a worker stops showing up without authorisation or a legitimate reason.
Third, workers whose permits were issued under a fictitious or non-genuine company also fall within the scope of this ban. If the establishment is found to be fraudulent and the permit is cancelled as a result, the worker faces the one-year bar on obtaining a new one.
Impact on Affected Workers
The one-year ban effectively prevents the affected individual from entering into a new formal employment arrangement in the UAE's private sector for the duration of the restriction. The rules are grounded in the country's broader effort to regulate labour relations and discourage violations that disrupt the employment system.
Workers considering resigning during probation, or those uncertain about the legitimacy of their employer, are advised to review the terms of their contracts carefully before taking any action that could trigger the penalty.
Related Rule: No Work Permits for Under-15s
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that the UAE government does not allow people below the age of 15 to obtain work permits. The rule applies to both Emiratis and expatriate residents, regardless of their nationality or residency status.
