{"id":57698,"date":"2026-07-07T16:17:55","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T16:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/?post_type=press_releases&#038;p=57698"},"modified":"2026-07-07T16:17:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T16:17:55","slug":"can-an-employer-keep-your-passport-in-the-uae-heres-what-the-law-says","status":"publish","type":"press_releases","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/press-releases\/can-an-employer-keep-your-passport-in-the-uae-heres-what-the-law-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Can an employer keep your passport in the UAE? Here&#8217;s what the law says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Legal expert explains\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/legal-articles\/employment\/employment-of-domestic-workers-in-the-uae\">worker\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0rights when an employer withholds your passport in the UAE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Dubai: For many expatriate workers arriving in the UAE, handing over a passport to an\u00a0<strong>employer<\/strong>\u00a0may feel like a routine or unavoidable part of the\u00a0<strong>onboarding process<\/strong>. It is not. In the UAE, it is strictly prohibited for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/publications\/family-law\/can-i-demand-support-from-my-uncaring-husbands-company\">employers<\/a>\u00a0to retain or confiscate an employee&#8217;s passport\u00a0<strong>without the employee&#8217;s consent<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, some companies take advantage of\u00a0<strong>new expatriate workers<\/strong>\u00a0who are unfamiliar with the UAE&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/professionallawyer.me\/publications\/labour-law\/facing-a-salary-cut-or-unpaid-leave-experts-say-uae-labour-law-ensures-employees-are-fully-protected\">labour<\/a>\u00a0<strong>legislation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Navigate UAE law with confidence. Become a part of\u00a0<i class=\"fa fa-reddit\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/knowthelaw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0r\/KnowTheLaw\u00a0<\/a>\u2014your Reddit group for sharp analysis, strategic advice, and real solutions to complex legal matters.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>That is why\u00a0<strong>understanding your rights as a new employee<\/strong>\u00a0is not merely advisable, it is essential.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a\u00a0<strong>reader query<\/strong>\u00a0from someone facing a similar situation:<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;I would like to ask for help or advice on how I can get my\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/legal-articles\/family-law\/passport-issuance-laws-in-uae-consent-and-custodial-challenges\">passport<\/a>\u00a0back because my company does not want to return it. They told me it is\u00a0<strong>company policy to keep our passports<\/strong>\u00a0and that they will\u00a0<strong>only return them once we complete our contract<\/strong>.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Is it legal for an employer to keep your passport?<\/h2>\n<p>According to\u00a0<strong>Dr. Hassan Elhais<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Legal Consultant at Amal Alrashdi Lawyers &amp; Legal Consultant<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Article 13<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0<strong>Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021<\/strong>\u00a0Regarding the Regulation of Labour Relations clearly states:<\/p>\n<div><iframe id=\"form-iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/quick-form-articles.php\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><em>&#8220;The\u00a0<strong>Employer<\/strong>\u00a0must not\u00a0<strong>withhold<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0<strong>official documents<\/strong>\u00a0of the Worker or\u00a0<strong>force him to leave the State<\/strong>\u00a0upon the end of the labour relation.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In addition, the UAE government&#8217;s official policy has consistently confirmed that employers may not\u00a0<strong>confiscate workers&#8217; passports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;The prohibition is also reflected in multiple publications issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which states that\u00a0<strong>confiscation of a worker&#8217;s passport is unlawful<\/strong>\u00a0and that\u00a0<strong>workers do not require their employer&#8217;s permission to leave the country<\/strong>,&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0Dr Elhais explained.<\/p>\n<h2>When can an employer hold your passport?<\/h2>\n<p>There are limited situations where an employer may need to take possession of an employee&#8217;s\u00a0<strong>passport<\/strong>\u00a0for\u00a0<strong>administrative purposes<\/strong>, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Visa renewals<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Work permit issuance<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Work permit renewals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>However, this does not give employers the right to keep the passport indefinitely<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;While an employee may\u00a0<strong>voluntarily hand over a passport<\/strong>\u00a0to the employer for a specific administrative purpose such as\u00a0<strong>visa processing or renewal procedures<\/strong>, the\u00a0<strong>passport must be returned immediately upon completion<\/strong>\u00a0of that purpose, as the\u00a0<strong>employer cannot retain it as<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/publications\/criminal-law\/emphasis-on-the-importance-of-cybersecurity-laws-in-the-uae\">security<\/a>\u00a0<strong>for debts<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>employment obligations<\/strong>\u00a0or to\u00a0<strong>prevent the employee from leaving employment<\/strong>,&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n<p>While an employee may voluntarily hand over a passport to the\u00a0<strong>employe<\/strong>r for a\u00a0<strong>specific administrative purpose<\/strong>\u00a0such as visa processing or renewal procedures however the\u00a0<strong>passport must be returned immediately upon completion<\/strong>\u00a0of that purpose as the employer cannot retain it as security for debts or employment obligations or to prevent the employee from leaving employment.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/images\/publications\/thumbnail-06092026-5.webp\" alt=\"Can an employer keep your passport in the UAE? Here's what the law says\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Can a worker get their passport back?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes. A\u00a0<strong>worker<\/strong>\u00a0whose\u00a0<strong>passport<\/strong>\u00a0is being unlawfully retained by an\u00a0<strong>employer<\/strong>\u00a0is entitled to seek its return and report the matter to the relevant authorities.<\/p>\n<h2>How to report an employer for withholding a passport<\/h2>\n<p>Dr Elhais recommends the following steps:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Request the passport in writing<\/h3>\n<p><em>&#8220;The worker should\u00a0<strong>formally request the return of the passport<\/strong>\u00a0from the employer, preferably in writing, so there is a record of the request and the employer&#8217;s response,&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n<h3>2. File a complaint with MOHRE<\/h3>\n<p>If the employer refuses to return the passport, the worker may file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), which\u00a0<strong>regulates labour relations in the UAE private sector.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MOHRE<\/strong>\u00a0can\u00a0<strong>attempt to resolve the dispute<\/strong>\u00a0and take appropriate action regarding\u00a0<strong>labour law violations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Contact your embassy or consulate<\/h3>\n<p><em>&#8220;The worker may seek assistance from their embassy or consulate, especially if the\u00a0<strong>passport has been lost or damaged<\/strong>, or its\u00a0<strong>whereabouts are unknown<\/strong>,&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0he added.<\/p>\n<p>You can visit the\u00a0<strong>UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs<\/strong>\u00a0website to find contact details for\u00a0<strong>foreign embassies<\/strong>\u00a0and consulates in the UAE &#8211; www.mofa.gov.ae\/missions\/foreign-missions-in-uae<\/p>\n<h2>How to submit a labour complaint in the UAE<\/h2>\n<p>Workers can submit labour complaints through\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/legal-articles\/employment\/changes-to-labour-complaint-process-mohre-now-making-decisions\">MOHRE&#8217;s<\/a>\u00a0<strong>official channels<\/strong>, including its website, mobile application,\u00a0<strong>call centres<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>labour dispute services<\/strong>. A worker may also file an order on petition through the\u00a0<strong>urgent matters courts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Before filing a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.professionallawyer.me\/legal-articles\/property-law\/how-to-resolve-off-plan-property-disputes-through-rera-complaint-in-uae-easy-steps\">complaint<\/a>, ensure you have a valid\u00a0<strong>labour contract<\/strong>\u00a0and any\u00a0<strong>supporting evidence<\/strong>\u00a0relating to your claim.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>MOHRE website and mobile app<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Private sector and\u00a0<strong>domestic workers<\/strong>\u00a0can\u00a0<strong>register complaints through MOHRE&#8217;s website<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; mohre.gov.ae or\u00a0<strong>mobile application<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>MOHRE Call Centre<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Workers can contact MOHRE on 600590000.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Workers seeking assistance with\u00a0<strong>labour-related grievances<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>legal matters<\/strong>\u00a0can contact\u00a0<strong>MOHRE&#8217;s Labour Claims<\/strong>\u00a0and Advisory Call Centre on the toll-free number\u00a0<strong>80084<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dubai Police app<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; Workers who hold a Dubai\u00a0<strong>residence visa<\/strong>\u00a0and are employed in the emirate can also submit complaints through the\u00a0<strong>Dubai Police app<\/strong>\u00a0regarding wages,\u00a0<strong>working conditions, health and safety concerns<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Know your rights<\/h2>\n<p>While employers may temporarily hold a passport for legitimate\u00a0<strong>administrative procedures<\/strong>, such as\u00a0<strong>visa processing<\/strong>, the passport must be returned to the worker once those procedures are complete.\u00a0<strong>UAE law<\/strong>\u00a0does not allow companies to retain\u00a0<strong>employees&#8217;<\/strong>\u00a0passports as a condition of employment or until the completion of a\u00a0<strong>contract<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Workers who believe their passport is being unlawfully withheld have the right to request its return and seek assistance from MOHRE, their\u00a0<strong>embassy or consulate<\/strong>, or other relevant\u00a0<strong>authorities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-57698","press_releases","type-press_releases","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases\/57698","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press_releases"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57698"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}