A notice period is the time between resigning, or being told your role is ending, and your last day. In the UAE it usually runs from 30 to 90 days, as set in the contract. You keep full pay and benefits throughout. Either side can choose to pay in lieu of notice.
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 sets standard notice at 30 to 90 days by agreement. During probation the rules are shorter.
An employer ends a probation contract on 14 days notice. A worker leaving the country gives 14 days. A worker moving to another UAE employer gives 30 days.
Write the notice term clearly into every contract. Avoid vague wording that invites disputes.
Use the period well. A proper handover protects institutional memory. Rushed exits lose knowledge you cannot easily replace.
Last updated: July 2026 | Reviewed by Tuscan Consulting, Dubai