Khulasa (Roman Urdu)
UAE mein employer aap ka passport apne paas nahi rakh sakta; ye aap ki cheez hai.
Sirf visa ke kaam ke liye de sakte hain, kaam khatam to wapas lena hai.
Wapas na dein to email se maangein, phir MOHRE mein shikayat karein.
Can my employer keep my passport? In the UAE, no. Your passport is your official document, and Article 13 of UAE Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 says the employer must not withhold a worker's official documents (as of 21 October 2026). Many workers think handing over the passport is normal. The law says it is not.
Your passport belongs to you, not the company
A passport is an official document issued to you. It belongs to you, not the company you work for. UAE labour law says the employer must not hold your official documents, and the passport is the most important one.
So when HR says, "Give us your passport so we can keep it safe," the answer is not "Okay, keep it until I leave the job." The answer is, "Thank you, but I will keep my passport with me." Keeping it safe is the company's offer, not a legal reason.
The one normal case: visa work, then it comes back
There is one situation where HR may need your passport: your visa or work permit. Stamping and processing need the physical document. That is normal.
What matters is what happens next. When that work is done, they must give the passport back. A passport given for visa work is on loan for that work only. It does not become the company's property while you are employed.
Not for debt, not to stop you leaving
Two reasons come up again and again, and neither is legal in the UAE. A boss cannot hold your passport to stop you from leaving the job, and a boss cannot hold it because you owe money, for example a loan or a cost they say you must repay. If you decide to leave, do it properly with notice; a clear Resignation letter keeps the record clean. Your passport is never a security deposit.
What to do if HR still has your passport
Your visa is done, but HR still has your passport. Now what? The wrong move is to wait and say nothing. The right move is to ask for it back by email, so there is a record with a date.
If they still say no, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, called MOHRE. You can complain through the MOHRE app or its call centre. Before you complain, keep copies of your contract, your emails and any messages about the passport. If your passport is lost, contact your embassy too.
While you sort this out, your job search does not have to stop. A strong CV from the free CV builder is ready whenever you are.
Worked example
Take one case the way the video tells it. Bilal joins a company in the UAE. In week one, HR takes his passport for the work permit. That is the normal case, and he hands it over.
Week four: the permit is done and his Emirates ID has arrived, but the passport has not come back. HR says they keep everyone's passport "for safety".
Step 1: Bilal does not wait silently. He sends HR a short email: the visa is complete, please return my passport. Now there is a written record.
Step 2: HR replies that the passport stays until he finishes a year, because the company paid for his ticket. Bilal knows those are not legal reasons: not to stop him leaving, not for money owed.
Step 3: He gathers his contract, the email thread and the WhatsApp messages from HR.
Step 4: He files a complaint with MOHRE through the app, with those copies attached.
Result: Bilal did four things in the right order: asked, asked in writing, kept records, complained. Each one is free, and the law is on his side at every step.
In numbers
- Article 13 of Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021: the employer must not withhold your official documents (as of 21 October 2026)
- 1 legal reason to hand over your passport: visa or work-permit processing, after which it must be returned
- 0 legal reasons to hold it for debt or to stop you leaving
- 2 ways to complain to MOHRE: the app and the call centre
- 4 steps: keep it, give it for visa work only, ask back in writing, then MOHRE
Your checklist
Keep your passport with you. Give it only for visa work. Ask for it back in writing. Still no? Go to MOHRE, with copies of your contract and messages.
One last point from the video: rules differ in other Gulf countries, so this article is about the UAE. Wherever you work, check your contract and the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer keep my passport in the UAE?
No. Article 13 of UAE Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 says the employer must not withhold a worker's official documents, and your passport belongs to you (as of 21 October 2026).
When is it normal for HR to take my passport?
Only for your visa or work-permit processing. When that work is done, they must return it.
Can my boss hold my passport because I owe the company money?
No. Holding a passport for a debt, or to stop you from leaving the job, is not a legal reason in the UAE.
HR will not return my passport. What should I do first?
Ask for it back by email so there is a dated record, and keep copies of your contract and all messages about it.
How do I complain to MOHRE about my passport?
File a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) through the MOHRE app or its call centre, with your contract, emails and messages ready.
What if my passport is lost while the company had it?
Contact your embassy as well as MOHRE, and keep every message showing that the company was holding it.
Sources
Rules as of 2026-10-21. Always check your own contract and the official source.