End of service calculation and gratuity — don't lose it
Mar 6, 2026Dubai · Experience date Dec 7, 2025
End of Service Gratuity is calculated on BASIC salary only (not allowances/bonuses). Rates: under 1 year = nothing; 1-5 years = 21 working days per year; over 5 years = 30 working days per year for years beyond 5. If resigned: 1-3 years service = 1/3 of gratuity; 3-5 years = 2/3; 5+ years = full. If terminated: full gratuity regardless. Capped at 2 years total salary. Calculate before resigning — it's often AED 20,000-100,000+ for multi-year employees. Demand payment within 14 days of last day.
Contributor: Lucas Mendes Visa ban risk — what can trigger it
Feb 18, 2026Dubai · Experience date Jan 13, 2026
Actions that can result in UAE visa ban (barred from re-entry for 1-6 years): significant unpaid debt (especially bounced cheques), criminal convictions, drug offenses, serious traffic violations. Overstay: fine AED 200/day, not automatically a ban but can be on discretion. If employer reports you for 'absconding' (leaving job without proper resignation): ban risk is real. Before leaving UAE permanently: close all UAE accounts, cancel all loans and credit cards, ensure no pending cases at MOHRE or police.
Contributor: Emma Larsson Dubai Municipality food safety — your rights as a consumer
Feb 3, 2026Dubai · Experience date Feb 2, 2026
Report food safety violations: Dubai Municipality app or call 800900. Common issues: expired products, wrong labeling, unhygienic conditions. Municipality inspections are regular and fines are significant for violators. Consumer rights: return any defective product within 15 days for refund (under UAE Consumer Protection Law). For pricing disputes or overcharging: DED Consumer Protection complaint at consumerprotection.ae. Most complaints are resolved within 2-3 weeks.
Contributor: Lucas Mendes Free zones vs mainland company setup — key differences
Jan 27, 2026Dubai · Experience date Dec 20, 2025
Free zone company (DMCC, DIFC, Dubai Silicon Oasis): 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on profits, cannot directly trade with UAE mainland market (need distributor), visa quota per office size. Mainland company (DED license): can trade directly with UAE market, UAE national partner historically required (now 49+ sectors allow 100% foreign ownership), more expensive setup. For freelancers: Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, RAKEZ free zones offer freelance permits from AED 7,500/year. Most solo digital workers use free zone or RAKEZ permit.
Contributor: Maria Santos Legal disputes with employers — how to file a complaint
Jan 2, 2026Dubai · Experience date Feb 15, 2026
If employer violates your rights: first try internal HR. If unresolved, file online complaint at mohre.gov.ae (labor complaint section) or call 800 60473. Free service, no lawyer needed for initial complaint. MOHRE mediation resolves ~70% of cases in 2-4 weeks. If unresolved: case goes to Dubai Labour Court (free for employees if salary under AED 20,000). Evidence to gather: employment contract, offer letter, salary slips, emails about the dispute, any written communication. Take photos of any physical evidence.
Contributor: James Wilson Setting up for remote work in Dubai — internet and workspace options
Dec 30, 2025Dubai · Experience date Dec 15, 2025
Home internet: du or Etisalat fiber 100Mbps, AED 249-279/month. VPN: most VPNs work in UAE. Video calls (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet): fully functional. Co-working spaces: Astrolabs (monthly AED 1,500), A4 Space (AED 1,200/month), WeWork (AED 2,000-3,000/month). Day passes AED 50-150. Dubai has excellent co-working infrastructure for remote workers. Many coffee shops (Costa Coffee, Second Cup) function as informal work spaces — no time limits if you keep ordering. The Remote Work Visa is designed for exactly this situation.
Contributor: Emma Larsson Job search in Dubai — what actually works
Dec 27, 2025Dubai · Experience date Mar 21, 2026
Effective channels in order: 1) LinkedIn (most professional jobs posted here, DMs to hiring managers work). 2) Bayt.com (Gulf-specific, huge volume). 3) Indeed UAE. 4) Company websites directly. 5) Recruitment agencies (Robert Half, Michael Page for professional roles, Gulf Talent for mid-level). Cold networking works — Dubai's business community is smaller than you think. Expat Facebook groups have job postings. Conferences and industry events: RTA, GITEX (tech), Cityscape (real estate) are major networking venues. Interviews: professional attire expected, punctuality strictly. Background checks common at senior levels.
Contributor: James Wilson