Can You Stay in UAE While a MOHRE Complaint Is Open?

You filed a MOHRE complaint or you are about to. One question is keeping you up at night: can you stay in the UAE while the complaint is being resolved?

This is a real and urgent question. Many workers assume that filing a complaint automatically lets them stay longer. It does not. The right to stay in UAE while MOHRE complaint open depends on steps you take separately. But you do have options — and acting quickly makes a big difference.

The Standard 30-Day Grace Period

When your employer cancels your UAE work visa, UAE immigration law gives you a 30-day grace period to remain in the country legally. This period begins on the date your visa is officially cancelled — not the date you were told about it, and not the date you left your job.

During these 30 days, you are in the UAE legally. You can:

• File a MOHRE complaint or continue an existing one
• Look for a new employer and transfer your visa
• Collect documents and evidence for your case
• Make travel arrangements if you decide to leave

Check your grace period end date by looking up your visa status on the ICP portal at icp.gov.ae or the UAE PASS app. Do not guess — confirm the exact date.

Does Filing a MOHRE Complaint Extend Your Stay?

This is the question most workers get wrong. Filing a MOHRE complaint alone does not automatically extend your visa or grace period. Your residency status and your labour complaint are handled by two different government systems — the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) handles residency, and MOHRE handles labour disputes.

However, you can take steps to stay in UAE while MOHRE complaint open legally. Here is how:

Option 1 — Find a New Job Before Grace Period Ends

This is the cleanest solution. If a new employer offers you a job during the 30 days, they can sponsor a new work visa for you. Your new visa replaces the cancelled one and you can remain in the UAE continuously. Your MOHRE complaint continues in parallel.

Option 2 — Apply for a Job Seeker Visa or Mission Visa

The UAE offers a Job Seeker Visa that allows you to remain in the country while searching for employment. This visa can be applied for through ICP (icp.gov.ae) and gives you additional time. If you are applying for roles and have a potential employer in process, this option buys you time to finalise.

Option 3 — Request MOHRE Assistance

If your grace period is about to expire and your MOHRE complaint is unresolved, contact your assigned MOHRE case officer directly and explain the situation. MOHRE has the authority under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 to coordinate with ICP to request extensions for workers with active disputes. This is not guaranteed, but it is available — and you must ask, it does not happen automatically.

Option 4 — Leave and Continue from Abroad

If none of the above options work in time, you can leave the UAE before the grace period ends and continue your MOHRE complaint from your home country. The online portal at mohre.gov.ae accepts complaints from abroad. You avoid overstay fines and keep your case active.

In practice: Workers often wait too long hoping the complaint will protect them. It does not. The grace period runs whether or not a complaint is filed. Act on your residency status separately and in parallel.

Overstay Fines — What Happens If You Stay Too Long

If your grace period expires and you are still in the UAE without a valid visa or extension, you are overstaying. The fine is AED 50 per day for every day you overstay. These fines compound quickly.

Beyond the fines, overstaying can affect:

• Your ability to re-enter the UAE in the future
• Your ability to transfer to a new visa smoothly
• Your overall immigration record

For a full breakdown of what overstay fines look like over time and how to pay them, read our guide on UAE visa overstay fines.

Skill-Level Grace Periods — Are You Eligible for More Time?

MOHRE classifies workers into skill levels (categories 1, 2, and 3) based on education and job type. Higher-skilled workers in certain categories may be eligible for a grace period of up to 180 days after visa cancellation instead of the standard 30 days.

This extended grace period was introduced to help attract and retain skilled professionals. If you hold a degree or work in a professional role (engineer, accountant, IT professional, teacher, nurse, etc.), check with MOHRE or ICP whether you qualify for the extended period.

In practice: Even if you believe you qualify for 180 days, confirm this with ICP before assuming. Do not rely on informal advice from colleagues.

What to Do If Your Grace Period Is About to Expire

If your 30-day grace period is running out and your MOHRE complaint is still unresolved, take these steps immediately:

1. Call MOHRE at 800-60 and tell them your grace period is expiring. Give them your complaint reference number. Ask what options exist for extending your stay.
2. Visit ICP or their portal at icp.gov.ae to check whether a Job Seeker Visa or other status change is possible.
3. Contact a UAE-based labour lawyer if your case is large (AED 20,000+) or complex. Many offer a free first consultation.
4. If no extension is granted, leave before the grace period ends to avoid overstay fines and future entry problems.

To understand the complaint process fully before your grace period runs out, read our detailed guide on how to file a MOHRE complaint after visa cancellation.

Can Your Employer Block You from Leaving?

No. Under UAE law, an employer cannot hold your passport or prevent you from leaving the UAE. If your employer has your passport, demand it back in writing. If they refuse, report it to MOHRE immediately — withholding a worker’s passport is illegal under UAE law.

Your decision to stay in UAE while MOHRE complaint open or to leave is yours alone. MOHRE complaints can continue regardless of your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does filing a MOHRE complaint automatically let me stay in the UAE longer?

No. Filing a MOHRE complaint does not automatically extend your visa or grace period. Your residency status is managed by ICP, not MOHRE. You must take separate steps — such as applying for a Job Seeker Visa or requesting MOHRE to coordinate with ICP — to extend your legal stay.

How long is the grace period after UAE visa cancellation?

The standard grace period is 30 days from the date of visa cancellation. Some skilled workers may qualify for up to 180 days depending on their job category. Check with ICP to confirm which applies to you.

What happens if my grace period expires while my MOHRE complaint is still open?

You will begin accruing overstay fines at AED 50 per day. Contact MOHRE and ICP immediately if your grace period is expiring. If no extension is granted, leave the UAE before the grace period ends and continue your complaint from abroad via the online portal.

Can I work for a different employer while my MOHRE complaint is open?

If you find a new employer during your grace period and they sponsor a new work visa, you can start working for them. Your MOHRE complaint against the previous employer continues independently and does not affect your new employment.

Can I travel in and out of the UAE while the complaint is being processed?

Once your original visa is cancelled, you cannot use it to re-enter the UAE. If you leave during the grace period, you would need a new visa to return. If you have a new employer in process, coordinate the timing carefully so your new visa is activated before you travel.

My employer is threatening to report me as an absconder. What should I do?

File your MOHRE complaint immediately and document everything. An absconding report filed after a visa cancellation is often considered retaliatory and can be challenged at MOHRE. Your complaint records, visa cancellation date, and communication history will help prove you did not abandon work.

Where can I check my current visa status and grace period end date?

Check your status at icp.gov.ae or use the UAE PASS app. You can also call the ICP helpline at 600-522222. Always verify the exact date — do not estimate based on when your employer told you the visa was cancelled.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rules can change. Always confirm with MOHRE or a qualified legal professional.