INTRODUCTION

When an employee suddenly stops coming to work without giving any explanation, UAE Labour Law provides employers with a clear legal pathway to protect their organization. If a worker is absent for more than seven consecutive days, you are entitled to initiate an official absconding report, which can lead to visa cancellation, possible arrest, and eventual deportation.

Below is a fully optimized step-by-step guide to ensure compliance and safeguard your company.

1. Contact Them Once — Then Document Everything

Before initiating any legal action, you must show that you made an effort to reach the employee.

• Call the employee at their registered phone number.

• Send an email and a written message notifying them of their absence.

• Maintain a detailed record of all outreach efforts, including screenshots, dated communication logs, call records, emails, and message copies.

If they do not reply, you are legally allowed to proceed with the next steps. Proper documentation is essential because MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) may request proof.

2. File an Absconding Report After 7 Days of Unexplained Absence

Once seven consecutive days pass with no valid reason from the employee, the UAE Labour Law permits the employer to file an absconding case with MOHRE.

This immediately escalates the situation from a basic HR matter to a formal immigration and legal enforcement case.
Filing the report protects your company from liability in case the employee misuses their visa, overstays, or commits violations while absent.

3. Consequences the Employee Will Face After an Absconding Case Is Filed

Visa Cancellation

The employee’s residency visa and work permit are cancelled, leaving them with no legal right to stay in the UAE. They become an overstayer under immigration law.

Risk of Arrest

Once flagged as absconding:

• Police checks
• Airport immigration scans
• Emirates ID verifications

…can result in immediate detention.

Deportation and Potential Bans

Immigration authorities may deport the employee, and in many cases, issue a work ban that prevents them from returning to the UAE for future employment.

Absconding is considered one of the strongest enforcement mechanisms available to employers when a worker abandons their job.

We Manage the Entire Process

Professional Assistance to Manage the Full Legal Process

Handling absconding cases requires precision and full compliance with MOHRE guidelines.
We provide end-to-end support, including:

• Preparing evidence of absence and communication attempts

• Drafting formal legal notices

• Submitting the absconding case to MOHRE

• Managing full visa cancellation and documentation

• Ensuring your company remains fully compliant and protected from liability

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is considered employee absconding under UAE Labour Law?

An employee is considered absconding when they stop reporting to work for seven consecutive days without providing a valid reason. After this period, the employer is legally allowed to file an absconding report with MOHRE.

2. Can an employer immediately start the deportation process if an employee stops showing up?

No. The employer must first attempt to contact the employee and document all communication efforts. Only after seven days of unexplained absence can the legal process, including visa cancellation and absconding reporting, begin.

3. What documents are required to file an absconding case in the UAE?

Employers typically need:

• The employee’s passport copy
• Visa and work permit details
• Proof of employment
• Evidence of attempted communication (screenshots, logs, emails, call records)
• A formal statement explaining the absence

4. Does filing an absconding report protect the employer from legal liability?

Yes. Submitting the absconding report shifts responsibility to the UAE authorities and protects the employer from liability related to overstaying, illegal activity, or misuse of the employee’s visa.

5. What happens to the employee after an absconding case is filed?

Their work permit and residency visa are cancelled, they risk immediate arrest during ID or immigration checks, and they may face deportation and a future work ban.

6. Can the employee dispute or remove an absconding case?

In some cases, yes. If the employee can prove they had a valid reason such as medical emergency, unpaid wages, or coercion, MOHRE may review the case. However, the burden of proof is on the employee.

7. How long does the absconding and deportation process take in the UAE?

Timelines vary depending on case complexity, but once the absconding report is filed, visa cancellation and enforcement actions move quickly, often within days.

8. Can an employer be penalized for filing a false absconding report?

Yes. Filing a wrongful or fraudulent report can lead to penalties, fines, and potential suspension of the company’s file with MOHRE. This is why accurate documentation is critical.

9. What if the employee returns after an absconding report has already been filed?

They cannot resume work unless the employer withdraws the case (if legally permitted) and completes the proper reinstatement or cancellation procedures. Many cases still proceed to deportation if the employee violated visa laws.

10. Can a PRO or legal service provider handle the absconding process on behalf of the company?

Yes. Authorized service providers can prepare your evidence, submit the MOHRE filing, manage visa cancellation, and ensure full compliance to protect your company from legal repercussions.

Need to file an absconding case or cancel an employee’s visa fast?

Our team handles the entire legal process for you—evidence preparation, MOHRE filings, visa cancellation, and full compliance support.
👉 Contact us today for expert assistance and protect your company from costly legal risks.