UAE Law on Employers Holding Employee Passports

Feb 20, 2026

34 min

Feb 20, 2026 02:31

Ask Gulf News: Is it legal for a company to hold employees’ passports in the UAE?

## Legal Framework

In the UAE, it is illegal for companies to retain their employees' passports. This is outlined in Article 13/2 of the Labor Law, which mandates that employers must not withhold official documents from workers or compel them to leave the country once their employment ends.

## Salary and Leave Entitlements

Employees in the UAE have been entitled to receive their full salary during annual leave since February 2, 2022. This change came into effect with the implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021, which replaced the previous Federal Law No. (8) of 1980. The new law ensures that any conflicting provisions from the old law are nullified.

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