Can a UAE worker move to another employer when the contract ends?
Yes. Article 49 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and Article 27 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 allow a transfer when the contract term ends and is not renewed, when it ends under Articles 42 or 45 of the law, or when the employer ends it without a reason attributable to the worker.
On this page
Leaving during probation
A worker moving to another UAE employer during probation must give at least one month's written notice, and the new employer compensates the old one for recruitment costs unless agreed otherwise.
Leaving without a legitimate reason
A foreign worker who abandons work before the contract ends without a legitimate reason faces a one-year bar on a new work permit, with exceptions for in-demand skills, golden visa holders, family-sponsored residents and others.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Final settlements calculate the last salary, leave, notice and gratuity, so a worker transferring receives entitlements within the 14 days the law sets.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A plumber's two-year contract ends on 31 March and the contractor does not renew it. He can take a transfer permit with another contractor from April. His old employer must pay his entitlements by 14 April.
Questions people ask
Is a no-objection letter needed when the contract ends?
The law allows the transfer in these cases under the Ministry's procedures.
What if the employer ends the contract without cause?
The worker may transfer.
When must entitlements be paid?
Within 14 days of the contract ending.