How to Process “Early Leave” for Private Sector Employees to Return to their Home Countries

Private sector employees/workers who wish to return to their home countries can file for an “early leave”. This announcement was made by UAE authorities as part of the country’s humanitarian efforts in these challenging times.

Also Read: MOHRE Issues Decree Allowing Private Companies to Adjust Employee Contract, Grant Unpaid Leaves, Deduct Salaries

According to Emirates News Agency, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the General Civil Aviation Authority, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, has launched the ‘Early Leave‘ initiative.

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early leave uae

UAE “Early Leave” – Employees in Private Sector Can File for Annual Leave or Request for Unpaid Leave to Go Home

The initiative aims to enable residents who work in the private sector and wish to return to their home countries to do so during the period of precautionary measures undertaken in the UAE to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. Employees will be asked to submit their annual leave dates or agree with their employers on unpaid leave.

The initiative is part of the humanitarian efforts of the UAE’s wise leadership in meeting the needs of residents seeking to return to their home countries and supporting them in these difficult times.

early leave uae procedure

Procedures of Enabling Foreign Workers to Leave the UAE and Return to their Home Country(Early Leave)

1. Specify the leave duration by signing an additional temporary form for the job contract available on MOHRE smart app and website, during the implementation of precautionary measures to limit coronavirus spread.

2. Booking a round trip ticket for the employee

3. The contractual relationship between the employee and the employer must continue. The early leave is considered unpaid leave, provided that all workers’ entitlements are saved, as per the labour law.

4. The leave ends, after the employee is back to work, and the precautionary period is over.

5. Work residencies for those who went back to their countries will be renewed automatically if they are expired even if they are not back in the UAE.

how to apply early leave uae initiative

Below is the Tweet from MOHRE regarding the process: