Can a domestic worker resign before the contract ends in the UAE?

A domestic worker in the UAE can end their employment, but how they do so — and the consequences — depend on the terms of the unified MOHRE-registered contract and the Federal Decree-Law on Domestic Workers. Leaving lawfully generally means following the contract's process for resignation or early termination, including any notice, rather than simply abandoning the household, which can affect the worker's legal status and dues. The law distinguishes between ending the contract with a valid reason (such as the employer breaching obligations) and ending it without justification, and it addresses how recruitment or repatriation costs are treated in each case. Because the specific notice requirements and cost-allocation rules are fixed by the decree and its executive regulations and may change, confirm the current position with MOHRE or a Tadbeer centre before resigning. If the worker is leaving because of unpaid wages or mistreatment, that should be documented and raised with MOHRE. A verified UAE legal professional on LEXAI can advise a worker or employer on a specific early-termination scenario.