How Long Does a MOHRE Complaint Take in UAE? Full Timeline

Written and edited by the Visa Advice Hub Editorial Team.

You filed a complaint with MOHRE. Now you are waiting. You do not know what happens next or how long it will take. This article gives you the full timeline – stage by stage – so you know exactly what to expect.

Understanding how long does MOHRE complaint take UAE depends on two things: the amount of money involved and whether your employer agrees to a settlement.

Stage 1: Filing Your Complaint (Day 1)

You file your complaint through one of these channels:

• Online: mohre.gov.ae or the MOHRE app
• By phone: Call 800 60
• In person: MOHRE office or Tasheel service centre

Once your complaint is submitted, you receive a reference number. Keep this number. You will use it to track your case status online at mohre.gov.ae.

In practice: Online filing is fastest. The system registers your complaint immediately and assigns a case number within minutes.

Stage 2: MOHRE Contacts Both Parties (Within 72 Hours)

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 54, MOHRE must contact both you and your employer within 72 hours of receiving the complaint. This is a legal requirement, not optional.

MOHRE will reach out by phone or email. They will inform your employer that a complaint has been filed and invite both sides to an amicable settlement meeting.

In practice: If MOHRE cannot reach your employer within 72 hours, they continue attempts. Document any calls you receive from MOHRE so you have a record.

Stage 3: The 14-Day Amicable Settlement Window

This is the most important phase. MOHRE has 14 days to settle the dispute between you and your employer without involving the court.

During this period:

• MOHRE acts as mediator between you and your employer
• Both sides present their position
• MOHRE tries to get the employer to pay what is owed

Two outcomes are possible at the end of 14 days:

In practice: Many straightforward cases – unpaid salary, end-of-service gratuity – settle during this window, especially if the employer knows they are clearly in the wrong.

Stage 4A: MOHRE Issues a Binding Decision (Claims Under AED 50,000)

If your claim is under AED 50,000 and settlement fails, MOHRE does not automatically send you to court. Instead, MOHRE can issue a binding decision directly.

This means a MOHRE official reviews the evidence and makes a ruling. The employer must comply. If they do not, you can enforce the decision through the courts.

Typical total time for claims under AED 50,000: 14-21 days from filing.

This is significantly faster than going through Labour Court. It is one of the biggest advantages for workers with smaller claims.

Stage 4B: Referral to Labour Court (Claims Over AED 50,000)

If your claim exceeds AED 50,000 and the 14-day settlement fails, MOHRE refers your case to the Labour Court within 3 working days.

The Labour Court then takes over. The typical timeline from referral to verdict is:

If either side appeals the verdict, add another 3-6 months for the appeals court.

In practice: Cases move faster when both sides cooperate with document submission. Delays usually happen when employers do not respond to court notices or when hearings are postponed.

How to Track Your Complaint Status

You do not need to call MOHRE repeatedly to check your case. Use the online tracking system:

1. Go to mohre.gov.ae
2. Click on “Services” then “Complaint Tracking”
3. Enter your complaint reference number
4. View the current status and any updates

Status updates are added when MOHRE contacts your employer, when a meeting is scheduled, and when a decision or referral is made.

Full Timeline Summary

Important: Your Visa Status During a MOHRE Complaint

Many workers worry about their visa when a complaint is open. If you are concerned about this, read our full article on whether you can stay in UAE during a MOHRE complaint.

If your employer cancelled your visa after you filed a complaint, the situation is different. Read about how to file a MOHRE complaint after visa cancellation.

What Slows Down Your Case

These factors can add weeks to your timeline:

• Employer does not respond – MOHRE must keep trying to contact them before proceeding
• Missing documents – Always bring your passport, Emirates ID, employment contract, and proof of wages when filing
• Employer disputes the facts – Contested facts take longer at settlement stage
• Public holidays – These do not count toward working-day deadlines

What Speeds Up Your Case

• Filing online with all documents attached from day one
• Having clear evidence: payslips, bank statements, employment contract
• A claim amount under AED 50,000 (avoids Labour Court entirely)
• Employer willing to settle

If your complaint involves overtime wages that were not paid, you can read more about claiming unpaid overtime via MOHRE.

Workers often ask: how long does MOHRE complaint take UAE when the employer keeps delaying? The honest answer is that employer non-cooperation is the main cause of delays beyond the standard 14-21 day window. Every time MOHRE cannot reach your employer, the clock pauses while they keep trying.

After the Verdict: Getting Paid

Winning a Labour Court case or receiving a MOHRE binding decision does not always mean immediate payment. Here is what can happen:

• Employer pays voluntarily within the deadline – fastest outcome
• You need to apply for enforcement through the courts – adds 2-4 weeks
• Employer assets are seized or wages garnished – only if enforcement is needed

Always confirm the payment deadline given in any MOHRE decision or court verdict. Missing the enforcement window can complicate collection.

Documents to Prepare

What Usually Happens Next

1. Complaint registered (Day 1). Once you submit via the MOHRE app, website, or walk-in service centre, your complaint is logged and you receive a reference number. MOHRE contacts your employer – typically within 2-5 working days – to notify them of the claim and schedule a conciliation session.
2. Conciliation / mediation session (Days 5-14). A MOHRE labour inspector or dispute resolution officer conducts a formal mediation meeting with both parties. In practice this first session happens within one to two weeks of filing. Many straightforward wage complaints are settled at this stage – the employer pays owed amounts and the case closes. If settlement is reached, expect a written agreement and case closure within the same session or shortly after.
3. Second session or extended mediation (Days 14-30). If the employer disputes the claim or requests time to review, a second conciliation session is scheduled. MOHRE is required to resolve labour disputes within 14 working days of the complaint being registered. If the two weeks expire without resolution, the file must be referred to the competent court – this step is mandatory, not optional.
4. Referral to Labour Court (Day 30 onwards, if mediation fails). MOHRE prepares a referral letter and transfers the case file to the Labour Court circuit of the relevant emirate. The worker does not need to pay court fees for labour cases valued under AED 100,000. The court issues a summons to both parties. From referral to first hearing, allow 4-8 weeks depending on court backlog, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
5. Labour Court hearings and judgment (Months 2-6). The Labour Court typically holds two to four hearings before issuing a judgment. Simple cases can conclude in two to three months; cases involving multiple claims, counter-claims, or absent employers can run four to six months or longer. In practice, workers with strong documentary evidence (contract, salary slips, termination letter) reach judgment faster.
6. Enforcement of judgment. After judgment is issued in your favour, if the employer does not pay voluntarily, you must file an enforcement reques

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Filing without attaching any supporting documents — Unattached complaints take longer because MOHRE must request documents separately, adding days to the process.
• Missing a scheduled mediation appointment without notifying MOHRE — An unannounced no-show can cause your case to be delayed or, in some cases, treated as abandoned.
• Not tracking the case status online between appointments — MOHRE updates the online tracker when key actions occur. Workers who don’t monitor miss notifications and lose time.
• Accepting a partial settlement without getting the agreement in writing — Verbal settlements at mediation are unenforceable unless both parties sign a written document through MOHRE.
• Assuming the 14-day settlement window restarts each time the employer doesn’t respond — The 14-day clock runs from complaint filing regardless of employer delays. MOHRE proceeds after the window closes.
• Leaving the UAE before the settlement or decision is finalised — You can continue a complaint from abroad via the online portal, but attending hearings by phone or in person is easier from inside the UAE.

Legal Disclaimer