Visa & Sponsorship
UAE Visa Transfer Guide: Changing Employers and Sponsors 2025
Complete guide to UAE visa transfer. No NOC required since 2022, notice periods, in-country transfer process, free zone transfers, costs, and gratuity on transfer.
Published: January 23, 2026
11 min read read
7 topics covered
Quick Summary: Complete guide to UAE visa transfer. No NOC required since 2022, notice periods, in-country transfer process, free zone transfers, costs, and gratuity on transfer.
The Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 effective February 2022 transformed visa transfers in UAE. The NOC is no longer required, there is no automatic labor ban, employees have greater flexibility, and free movement between employers is enabled. This guide covers the complete transfer process.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| NOC Required | No (since Feb 2022) |
| Notice Period | Still applies per contract |
| Unlimited Contract | Transfer with notice |
| Limited Contract | Early termination provisions |
| Labor Ban | Largely eliminated |
2022 Labor Law Changes
Key changes to visa transfer rules.
Before vs After 2022
Before 2022: NOC required, 6-month ban possible, employer control, limited mobility. After 2022: NOC not required, no automatic ban, employee flexibility, free movement.
| Aspect | Before 2022 | After 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| NOC | Required | Not required |
| Labor ban | 6-month ban possible | No automatic ban |
| Control | Employer control | Employee flexibility |
| Mobility | Limited | Free movement |
When Can You Transfer?
Understanding transfer eligibility.
Unlimited Contracts
Completed notice period allows transfer yes. During notice period with agreement. Mutual termination allows transfer yes. Resignation with notice allows transfer yes.
Limited Contracts
Contract completed allows transfer yes. Early termination by employee requires compensation. Early termination by employer allows transfer yes. Mutual termination allows transfer yes.
Notice Period Requirements
During probation: Employee 14 days notice, Employer 30 days notice. Unlimited contract: 30-90 days as per contract. Limited contract: Per contract terms. During notice: Continue working unless agreed otherwise, salary continues full payment, cannot start new job until notice complete.
Transfer Process
Step-by-step guide to changing employers.
Step 1: Resignation
Submit resignation as written notice. Serve notice period per contract. Handover duties to complete all tasks. Final settlement to receive all dues.
Step 2: Current Employer
Accept resignation per notice terms. Calculate gratuity within 14 days. Prepare final settlement for all dues. Cancel current visa after settlement.
Step 3: New Employer
Employment contract signed before visa process. Work permit application 2-3 days. Entry permit if needed 2-3 days. Medical test 1-2 days. Emirates ID update 5-7 days. New visa stamping 3-5 days.
In-Country Transfer Process
Step 1: Current employer cancels visa 1-2 days. Step 2: 30-day grace period starts. Step 3: New employer applies for permit 2-3 days. Step 4: Status change application 1-2 days. Step 5: Medical test 1-2 days. Step 6: Emirates ID update 5-7 days. Step 7: New visa stamped 3-5 days. Total after notice approximately 2 weeks.
Free Zone Transfers
Transferring between free zones and mainland.
Mainland to Free Zone
Step 1: Cancel mainland visa. Step 2: Free zone employer applies. Step 3: Standard visa process. Step 4: New free zone visa issued.
Free Zone to Mainland
Step 1: Cancel free zone visa. Step 2: Mainland employer applies. Step 3: MOHRE work permit. Step 4: Standard visa process.
Free Zone to Free Zone
Step 1: Cancel current free zone visa. Step 2: New free zone employer applies. Step 3: Process through new free zone. Step 4: New visa issued.
DIFC Transfer Rules
Notice period per DIFC contract. Transfer fee may apply. Process through DIFC + ICA. DEWS contribution is portable. Resign from DIFC employer, serve notice, receive DEWS payout or transfer, cancel DIFC visa, new employer processes visa.
Golden or Green Visa Holders
Visa type remains same as self-sponsored. Employment just changes employer. No visa process as visa is unaffected. Simple: just update employment only. Changes: new employment contract, new employer pays WPS, update labor card if required.
Costs and Gratuity
Financial aspects of visa transfer.
Employee Costs
Visa cancellation usually employer pays. Medical new AED 300-500. Emirates ID update AED 370. Typing fees AED 100-200.
New Employer Costs
Work permit AED 1,000-2,000. Entry permit AED 500-1,500. Medical AED 300-500. Emirates ID AED 370. Visa stamping AED 500-1,000. Total AED 2,700-5,400.
Gratuity Entitlement
Less than 1 year service: None. 1-3 years service: 1/3 of calculated amount. 3-5 years service: 2/3 of calculated amount. 5+ years service: Full amount. Calculation: Years 1-5 at 21 days basic salary per year, Years 5+ at 30 days basic salary per year, Maximum 2 years total salary. Payment due within 14 days of final working day.
| Service Duration | Gratuity Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | None |
| 1-3 years | 1/3 of calculated amount |
| 3-5 years | 2/3 of calculated amount |
| 5+ years | Full amount |
Common Issues
Problems and solutions during transfer.
Employer Refuses to Cancel
If served notice properly file MOHRE complaint. If employer delays pursue legal recourse. Settlement dispute goes to labor court.
Overlapping Employment
Working before visa is illegal employment. Two active visas system will reject. Start date conflict will delay new visa.
Grace Period Expiry
Overstay means fines apply. Exit required to leave UAE. Re-entry as tourist or on new visa.
During Notice Period
What you can do: Interview, negotiate offer, plan transition. What you cannot do: Start new job, sign competing contract, share confidential info. What employer can do: Require work, assign handover, accept early release. What employer cannot do: Withhold salary, refuse to cancel, extend notice unfairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Manage Transfers with NeuralHR
NeuralHR streamlines visa transfers with offboarding workflow for structured exit process, final settlement calculator for accurate gratuity, document generation for experience letters and settlements, compliance tracking for notice period management, and visa status tracking to monitor cancellation.
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NeuralHR Team
VerifiedUAE HR Compliance Experts
Our team of HR professionals and legal experts specializes in UAE labor law compliance, with extensive experience helping businesses navigate MOHRE regulations, Emiratisation requirements, and workforce management in the UAE and GCC region.
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