Probation Period

The probation period is the initial phase of a UAE employment relationship during which the employer assesses a new hire, capped by the Labour Law at six months and usable only once per employer. Termination rules differ from normal employment: the law sets shorter written-notice requirements during probation, and the required notice differs depending on whether the employee is resigning to leave the UAE or moving to another UAE employer — moving employers without following the rules can make the new employer liable for recruitment costs. Probation matters enormously in practice because it is where most quick exits, withdrawn offers, and visa-cancellation disputes happen, and because gratuity and several leave entitlements only mature after probation or after a minimum service period. Always check the contract's stated probation length against the statutory cap before advising on an early termination.