Does my MOHRE contract override my offer letter in the UAE?

In the UAE private sector, the registered MOHRE contract is the official, binding document governing your employment, and in a dispute the authorities generally rely on it. Under the Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), your relationship is defined by the registered contract, so where an offer letter and the MOHRE contract genuinely conflict, the registered contract usually carries decisive weight. That is exactly why you should compare the two carefully before signing the MOHRE contract: anything promised in the offer letter, such as a higher salary, bonus, or specific allowances, should also appear in the MOHRE contract, or you risk losing the ability to enforce it. If the MOHRE contract drops or reduces terms you were offered, raise it with HR and have it corrected before signing, rather than signing and hoping the offer letter prevails. Keep both documents and any email confirmations. If you have already signed a MOHRE contract that contradicts your offer and the employer will not fix it, you can raise the matter with MOHRE and compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to assess your options.