How Many Days to Get Gratuity After Resignation in the UAE?

Quick answer – How many days to get gratuity after resignation in the UAE?
Under the current UAE Labour Law, your employer must pay your final settlement – including end-of-service gratuity – within 14 days from the end of your contract or your last working day. This deadline applies whether your employment ended by resignation or termination, as long as you are eligible for gratuity.

Leaving a job in the UAE can feel stressful, especially when you are waiting for your money. One of the most common questions employees ask is:

“How long does it take to receive my gratuity after I resign?”

If you need a broader overview of end-of-service benefits, you can also visit our main UAE gratuity guide.

What is end-of-service gratuity? Understanding gratuity comcept

End-of-service gratuity is a lump-sum payment that private-sector employees in the UAE are entitled to when their employment comes to an end, provided they meet the legal conditions.

It is designed to:

• Reward an employee’s years of service
• Support them financially during the transition to a new job or to another country
• Recognise their contribution to the company

Gratuity is not a gift; it is a legal right for eligible employees, similar to a severance benefit.

If you want to explore other aspects of your rights at the end of employment, you can check the UAE Government’s page on employment laws and regulations in the private sector. (u.ae)

Legal basis under current UAE Labour Law

Gratuity for most private-sector employees is regulated by the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its Executive Regulations. You can read the full text of the law on the official UAE legislation portal: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. (uaelegislation.gov.ae)

For foreign full-time workers who complete at least one year of continuous service, the standard formula is:

• 21 days of basic wage per year for the first five years of service
• 30 days of basic wage per year for each additional year after the fifth
• The total amount must not exceed two years’ basic wage in total

Only the basic salary is used for the calculation. Housing, transport, bonuses and other allowances are normally excluded unless your contract or company policy clearly states otherwise.

For more detailed background on the law and its implementing rules, you can also refer to the UAE Government portal on employment laws and MOHRE’s laws and regulations page. (u.ae)

Gratuity payment timeline after resignation (14-day rule)

The 14-day deadline after your last working day

Under the current UAE Labour Law, when your employment ends, your employer must pay you:

• Any outstanding salary
• Payment for unused annual leave (if applicable)
• End-of-service gratuity (if you are eligible)
• Any other contractual entitlements

These amounts must be settled within 14 days from the end of the employment contract. In practice, this is counted from your last working day as stated in your resignation or termination letter.

So if you resigned, worked your full notice period and your last working day was 30 June, your final settlement – including gratuity – should normally reach you no later than 14 July.

This 14-day deadline does not change just because the reason for leaving was resignation rather than termination.

You can see the general framework and workers’ rights described in more detail on the UAE Government site under employment laws and regulations. (u.ae)

Working through your notice period

In most cases, the notice period is defined in your employment contract (for example, 30, 60 or 90 days). The typical sequence is:

1. You submit your resignation in writing.
2. You work your notice period, unless both parties agree to waive it.
3. Your last working day marks the official end of your contract.
4. Your employer must settle all dues, including gratuity, within the following 14 days.

If either party fails to respect the agreed notice period, there may be compensation payable, but this does not remove your basic right to gratuity if you otherwise qualify.

Calendar days vs working days

The law refers to a period of 14 days without limiting it to “working days”.

In practice, this is usually interpreted as 14 calendar days, meaning weekends and public holidays are counted inside the period, unless there is a very clear and legally valid reason for a short administrative delay (for example, bank system outages or official public holidays). (dda.gov.ae)

Who is eligible for gratuity after resignation?

Resignation does not automatically cancel your right to gratuity. Under the current legal framework, many employees who resign are entitled to their full accrued gratuity.

You are typically eligible for gratuity after resignation if:

• You have completed at least one year of continuous service with the same employer.
• You are employed in the private sector under the UAE Labour Law (mainland or certain free zones that apply the Federal law).
• You are a foreign worker (UAE nationals are usually covered by separate pension schemes).
• You were not dismissed for proven gross misconduct under the applicable law and company policy.
• You have complied with your notice period, unless the employer agreed in writing to waive it.

If you have worked less than one full year, you are generally not entitled to end-of-service gratuity, but you may still be owed salary, leave pay or other dues.

For a broader explanation of eligibility rules and how they apply to different types of contracts, see our detailed UAE gratuity rules and calculation guide (if available on your site).

How gratuity is calculated in the UAE (step-by-step)

1. Use the basic salary only

The starting point is always your last basic monthly salary (as recorded in your contract, pay slips or WPS records). Allowances such as:

• Housing
• Transport
• Overtime
• Commissions or bonuses

are usually not included, unless your contract specifically states otherwise.

2. Convert monthly basic salary to a daily rate

A common and widely accepted method to find your daily basic wage is:

Daily basic wage = Monthly basic salary ÷ 30

Example:
If your basic salary is AED 9,000 per month:

• Daily basic wage = 9,000 ÷ 30 = AED 300

3. Apply the 21/30-day formula

Once you have the daily basic wage, gratuity is calculated as:

• 21 days of basic wage per year of service for the first 5 years
• 30 days of basic wage per year of service after 5 years
• Total gratuity is capped at two years of basic salary

Example 1 – Resignation after 3 years of service

• Basic salary: AED 8,000
• Daily basic wage: 8,000 ÷ 30 ≈ AED 266.67
• Years of service: 3 years

Gratuity days:

• 21 days × 3 years = 63 days

Gratuity amount:

• 63 days × AED 266.67 ≈ AED 16,800

If you resign after 3 years, and you meet all legal conditions, you should receive around AED 16,800 in gratuity, paid within 14 days from your last day of work.

Example 2 – Resignation after 7 years of service

• Basic salary: AED 10,000
• Daily basic wage: 10,000 ÷ 30 ≈ AED 333.33
• Years of service: 7 years

Gratuity days:

• First 5 years: 21 days × 5 = 105 days
• Remaining 2 years: 30 days × 2 = 60 days
• Total gratuity days = 105 + 60 = 165 days

Gratuity amount:

• 165 days × AED 333.33 ≈ AED 55,000

Again, this amount must be settled as part of your final settlement within 14 days of the end of your contract.

To quickly estimate your own entitlement, you can use a specialised tool such as a UAE gratuity calculator – for example, you may create or link to your own UAE gratuity calculator page, or use trusted tools provided by professional advisory sites.

Can your employer delay or withhold your gratuity?

Valid reasons for deductions

Your employer may legally deduct certain amounts from your final settlement, for example:

• Outstanding loans or advances that were properly documented
• Amounts awarded in a court judgment
• Overpayments or incorrect salary that you previously received

Deductions should always be transparent and reflected in a written final settlement statement.

Situations where gratuity can be reduced or lost

In rare and serious situations, gratuity may be affected, such as:

• Proven gross misconduct in line with the law and internal policy
• Fraud, theft or serious breach of trust
• Deliberate damage or harm to the employer’s interests

Each case is fact-specific. If your employer claims that you are not entitled to gratuity due to misconduct, you are usually entitled to see the evidence and seek independent legal advice or guidance from relevant authorities.

For more context, you can refer to official explanatory material such as the summary of the Labour Law provided by Dubai authorities. (dda.gov.ae)

Delays due to employer’s “cash flow” or internal issues

While administrative and banking processes can sometimes cause short delays, internal issues like:

• Cash-flow problems
• Internal approval delays
• Management disagreements

do not remove your employer’s legal obligation to settle your dues within 14 days of the end of your contract.

If the delay continues without a valid legal reason, you can take formal steps to enforce your rights.

What to do if your gratuity is not paid within 14 days

If your gratuity is not paid on time, you can:

1. Request a written explanation
   Ask HR or management to confirm in writing:
   • Why the payment is delayed
   • When they will settle the amount
   • A breakdown of how they calculated your gratuity
2. Send a polite reminder in writing
   Keep records of all emails and letters, as these can be useful if the matter escalates.
3. File a complaint with MOHRE (for mainland employees)
   If you are employed in mainland UAE, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) via:
   • The MOHRE smart application
   • The dedicated labour complaint service for private-sector employees
   • A TASHEEL or other authorised service centre (mohre.gov.ae)
4. Check the rules in your free zone
   If you work in a financial or special free zone such as DIFC or ADGM, gratuity may be replaced or supplemented by savings schemes. In that case, you should contact the relevant free zone authority or employment regulator.
5. Escalate to the labour court
   If the dispute is not resolved, MOHRE or the free zone authority may refer the case to the labour court, which can order the employer to pay your outstanding entitlements and, in some cases, impose penalties.

You can also consult the UAE Government’s page on resolving labour disputes for a high-level overview of the process. (u.ae)

Domestic workers: different rules and practical reality

Domestic workers (for example, live-in nannies, housekeepers, drivers and similar roles) are regulated by separate legislation from the general private-sector Labour Law. Their rights, including end-of-service entitlements, are governed by specific domestic worker regulations and their Executive Regulations.

Key points:

• Domestic worker rules are not identical to the standard private-sector gratuity system.
• The main framework is contained in Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers, which you can download from the official UAE legislation site: Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. (uaelegislation.gov.ae)
• The UAE Government portal also provides a useful overview on its domestic helpers page. (u.ae)

In practice, some households and agencies still follow simplified “rules of thumb” for end-of-service payments to domestic workers, but the legal position is more nuanced and has evolved over time.

If you are a domestic worker or an employer of domestic staff, it is advisable to:

• Review the latest information on the UAE Government domestic helpers page. (u.ae)
• Contact MOHRE or a qualified advisor if you need personalised guidance.
• Use the dedicated MOHRE domestic workers complaint service if you need to report a dispute. (mohre.gov.ae)

Conclusion

Knowing when you should receive your gratuity – and how much you are entitled to – is essential if you are planning to resign or your employer has ended your contract.

To summarise the key points:

• If you have completed at least one year of continuous service, you are usually entitled to gratuity when your job ends.
• The standard formula for foreign full-time workers is:
  • 21 days of basic wage per year for the first five years
  • 30 days of basic wage per year for each year after five
  • Capped at two years of basic wage in total
• Your employer must pay your final settlement, including gratuity, within 14 days of your last working day, whether you resigned or were terminated.
• Delays based purely on financial difficulties or internal issues are not a valid excuse under the law.
• If your gratuity is delayed or withheld, you can escalate the matter to MOHRE or the relevant authority and, if necessary, to the labour court.

Understanding your rights gives you more control over your career decisions and helps you plan your finances with confidence when changing jobs in the UAE.

Frequently asked questions

1. How many days does it take to get my gratuity after resignation in the UAE?

Under the current UAE Labour Law, your employer should pay your gratuity and other end-of-service benefits within 14 days from the end of your contract or your last working day, even if you resigned, as long as you are eligible for gratuity.

2. Do I get gratuity if I resign before completing one year of service?

Generally, no. If your total continuous service with the same employer is less than one full year, you are not entitled to end-of-service gratuity under the standard private-sector rules. You may still be entitled to unpaid salary, leave pay or other dues, but not gratuity.

For a deeper look at eligibility thresholds and calculation examples, you can read our UAE gratuity rules and calculation guide.

3. Does the 14-day period mean working days or calendar days?

The law specifies a period of 14 days from the end of the contract without limiting it to working days. In practice, this period is normally interpreted as 14 calendar days, which includes weekends and public holidays, unless a short and clearly justified administrative delay occurs for reasons beyond the employer’s control.

4. How will my gratuity be paid after I resign?

Most employers pay gratuity as part of the full and final settlement through the Wages Protection System (WPS) into your registered bank account. You should receive a written final settlement statement showing:

• Your basic salary and service period
• How many days of gratuity were used in the calculation
• Any deductions made (such as loans or advances)
• The final amount transferred to you

5. Can my employer withhold my gratuity?

Your employer cannot withhold your gratuity without a valid legal reason. However, they may:

• Deduct amounts you legally owe them (for example, documented loans)
• Dispute your entitlement in cases of alleged gross misconduct

If you believe your gratuity is being withheld unfairly, you can raise the issue with HR and, if it is not resolved, file a complaint through the MOHRE complaint services or via the MOHRE contact channels. (mohre.gov.ae)

6. What should I do if my gratuity is not paid within 14 days after my last working day?

You should:

1. Ask HR for a written explanation and a clear payment date.
2. Keep copies of all emails, letters and settlement statements.
3. If the delay continues without a valid reason, lodge a labour complaint with MOHRE (for mainland jobs) using the labour complaint registration service or via the UAE Government labour dispute portal. (mohre.gov.ae)
4. If necessary, allow the case to be referred to the labour court, where a judge can order your employer to pay the outstanding amounts.

Quick answer – How many days to get gratuity after resignation in the UAE?
Under UAE Labour Law, your employer must pay your final settlement – including end-of-service gratuity – within 14 days from your last working day. This 14-day deadline applies whether your contract ended by resignation or termination, as long as you have completed at least one year of continuous service with the same employer.