Can I resign during my probation period in the UAE?

Yes. Either side can end the contract during probation in the UAE private sector — you can resign, and your employer can terminate you — but each direction carries its own notice rule under the Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Probation itself cannot exceed six months. If you resign, the notice you owe depends on what you do next. A worker who resigns during probation to take up another job inside the UAE generally must give the employer a longer notice period, because the law also addresses the recruitment costs the original employer incurred. A worker who is leaving the UAE entirely gives a shorter notice. These probation-stage notice rules are separate from the standard 30–90 day notice that applies after probation ends. The exact number of days is set by the statute and applied by MOHRE, so confirm the current figure for your situation rather than relying on assumptions — resigning without serving the correct notice can expose you to compensating the employer. If a new employer hires you while you are still in probation with another company, specific obligations can fall on that new employer too. If the employer is the one ending it, the rule is simpler: the employer must give the worker written notice of at least 14 days before terminating during probation. Before you act, submit your resignation in writing and keep a dated copy. Check whether your contract requires you to repay any recruitment or relocation costs the employer covered, as such clauses are common in early-exit scenarios. On money owed, end-of-service gratuity normally is not payable for service that ends within the first year, but unpaid wages and any accrued entitlements still must be settled. Review your signed MOHRE contract for the precise probation terms and verify the applicable notice period with MOHRE before you resign or accept a termination. If you believe a probation exit was handled unlawfully, you can raise it with MOHRE and compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to review your specific contract.