How long does a MOHRE wage complaint take and what can I claim in the UAE?

When you file a wage complaint, MOHRE first tries to settle it amicably between you and your employer through conciliation. If that succeeds, resolution can be relatively quick; if it fails, MOHRE refers the case to the competent labour court, and a court process naturally takes longer. The precise timelines depend on the case, the parties' cooperation, and the court's schedule, so it is best to ask MOHRE about expected stages rather than assume a fixed duration. As for what you can claim, it generally centres on what you are lawfully owed: unpaid or short-paid wages, amounts unlawfully deducted, and other contractual and statutory entitlements such as accrued leave and end-of-service dues where applicable, depending on your circumstances. Strong evidence — your contract, payslips, and Wage Protection System records — is what determines how much you can substantiate. Acting promptly matters because claims can be subject to time limits. To estimate what you can realistically recover and to navigate conciliation or court, you can compare verified UAE employment lawyers on LEXAI who handle MOHRE wage disputes.