The UAE’s requirement for a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from an employer when changing jobs was a major topic for years. Here is the 2025 update on UAE NOC rules.
UAE NOC: The Old Rule
Before 2022: UAE employees generally needed a No Objection Certificate from their current employer to: transfer to a new UAE employer, apply for a new UAE employment visa from a new company, or change their visa status from one category to another. Without an NOC: employees were subject to a labour ban (1-6 years) preventing them from working in the UAE if they left without the employer’s permission.
UAE NOC: The 2022 Labour Law Reform
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (effective 2 February 2022) significantly changed this: Most labour bans are ABOLISHED. Employees can change jobs without an NOC from their employer in most cases. The new rule: if an employee completes their contract (or gives proper notice and the employer processes the cancellation), they can immediately join a new employer without any ban or NOC requirement. When a ban CAN still be applied (exceptional cases): if the employee abandons the job without resignation (leaves without notice), violates specific terms of the contract related to national security or professional secrecy, or is in certain regulated professional categories that still have contractual restrictions.
Practical Advice for UAE Job Changers
Resign formally (in writing), serve the required notice period (minimum 30 days as per the 2022 law), and request your current employer to process the employment cancellation via MOHRE. With proper resignation and notice: you can join a new employer immediately after visa cancellation without any gap or ban. If your employer refuses to process the cancellation: MOHRE has a complaint mechanism. File a complaint and MOHRE will process the cancellation on the employer’s behalf if the resignation and notice period were complied with.