Is it legal for a UAE company to hold your passport? Learn what the labour law says, when holding it is allowed with consent, and the step-by-step MOHRE complaint route to get it back.

Published: 2 November 2026

Short answer: no. Under UAE labour law, a private-sector employer must not withhold a worker’s official documents, and a passport is one of them. Article 13 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations states that the employer must not withhold the worker’s official documents. An employer may hold a passport briefly for a real administrative task, such as visa processing, but only with the worker’s consent and only until the task is finished. If your company is keeping your passport as a condition of working, you can ask for it back in writing and, if refused, complain to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

This guide explains the rule, the difference between lawful and unlawful holding, and the exact steps to take. Always check the current wording on the official MOHRE and u.ae websites before relying on any detail here, because rules and procedures can change.

Is It Legal for a UAE Employer to Keep Your Passport?

It is not legal for a private-sector employer to withhold a worker’s passport or other official documents. The governing text is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE Labour Law). It says the employer must not withhold the worker’s official documents. The wording of the article and any related provisions should be confirmed on the official gazette, MOHRE or u.ae before you quote them in a complaint (verify with MOHRE).

What the law does not allow in practice:

Keeping your passport as a guarantee or security for a debt, loan or advance.
Keeping it so that you cannot resign, change jobs or leave the country.
Keeping it for convenience, “for safekeeping”, when you want it back.
Refusing to return it after your visa work is finished.

Your passport is your personal property and identity document. Whether you work in a shop, on a site, in a hotel or in an office, you are entitled to hold it yourself.

When Can an Employer Hold a Passport?

There is a real difference between lawful, temporary handling and unlawful retention. Companies often need your passport for a short time to complete official procedures. This is acceptable only when it is voluntary, limited in purpose and limited in time.

Situation	Usually acceptable?	Key point
Passport handed over for visa issuance, renewal or cancellation	Yes, with your consent	It must be returned as soon as the procedure is done
Passport handed over for Emirates ID or medical test appointment	Yes, with your consent	Ask when it will be returned
Employer keeps it “in case you run away”	No	This is retention to prevent leaving
Employer keeps it until a debt or advance is repaid	No	A debt does not give the employer a right to your passport
Employer keeps it for months after the visa work finished	No	The purpose ended, so it must be returned
You asked for it back and the employer refuses	No	Start the written request and complaint steps below

If you gave consent for a specific task, that consent does not turn into permission to keep the passport indefinitely. You can ask for it back once the task is complete.

Who Does This Rule Cover?

The labour law applies to private-sector employment regulated by MOHRE. Domestic workers (housemaids, drivers, cooks and similar) are regulated under separate arrangements, but MOHRE accepts complaints from domestic workers through its channels. If you are a domestic worker, confirm the correct route with MOHRE or an authorised Tadbeer centre. Government employees follow their own HR rules. Free-zone companies fall under their own authority for some matters, but MOHRE contact remains the first step for most labour complaints. If you are unsure, ask MOHRE which channel applies to you (verify with MOHRE).

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Passport Back

Follow these steps in order. Keep everything calm, polite and documented. A written record is the strongest tool you have.

Step 1: Write down the facts

Note the date you handed the passport over, who took it, why, and every time you asked for it back. Save any messages, emails or WhatsApp chats that mention the passport.

Step 2: Check what you hold

Take photos or scans of your passport pages, your visa, your Emirates ID, your labour contract and your offer letter. Keep copies on your phone and with a trusted person. Many workers are only asked for copies, and the original does not need to be kept by the company.

Step 3: Ask for it back in writing

Send a short message or email to your HR or manager: “Please return my passport. I handed it over on [date] for [reason].” Use WhatsApp or email so the date is recorded. If your employer answers verbally, write back to confirm what they said.

Step 4: Allow a short, reasonable time

If the passport is at a government office for a visa procedure, ask for a date. If the answer is vague or the passport is simply in a drawer, move to the next step.

Step 5: File a complaint with MOHRE

You can contact MOHRE through:

The MOHRE call centre: 600590000
The MOHRE website (mohre.gov.ae)
The MOHRE mobile app

Explain that your employer is withholding your passport, give the company name, your labour card or contract number if you have it, and attach your written request and any messages. MOHRE can contact the employer and try to resolve the issue. For the general complaint process, see our guide to the MOHRE labour complaint in the UAE.

Step 6: Use other channels if the situation is serious

If the passport is being held to force you to work, to frighten you or to stop you from leaving, the situation may be more serious than a labour dispute. You can contact the police. Your own embassy or consulate can also help, especially if you need an emergency travel document. If you believe you are a victim of coercion or trafficking, seek help immediately from the police or a recognised support organisation. Check the official u.ae website for the current hotline details.

Step 7: Follow the case

Keep your complaint reference number. Check progress through the app or call centre. Do not sign any document you do not understand, and do not sign a statement that says you received your passport unless you actually did.

What If the Employer Says You Owe Money?

Some employers say “we will return the passport after you pay”. A dispute about money, a loan or damages is a separate matter from your passport. The labour law does not give an employer the right to hold your passport as security. Raise the money issue through the proper labour dispute process, but still ask for your passport back. Do not agree to pay under pressure without understanding the claim.

What If Your Visa Is Being Cancelled or You Are Leaving?

When employment ends, the employer normally needs your passport briefly for visa cancellation. That is the main lawful reason for holding it at that stage. Even then, ask when you will get it back and keep a record.

Useful related guides:

UAE visa cancellation grace period: how long you can stay after cancellation.
UAE resignation, notice period and gratuity: what you can claim when you resign.
UAE end of service gratuity calculation: how the official calculation works.
UAE labour ban: causes, duration and removal: what a ban means and how it ends.

If your employer reports you as absconding after you asked for your passport back, read about the UAE absconding report: how to check and remove it. A report filed to retaliate can be challenged through MOHRE.

What This Is Not: A Lost or Stolen Passport

Holding by an employer is different from losing your passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, you need a police report, an embassy replacement and sometimes an exit permit. That process is covered in our guide to a lost or stolen passport in the UAE. If your passport is simply expiring, see how to renew your passport in the UAE and update residence and Emirates ID.

Your Rights at Work Beyond the Passport

A passport dispute often sits alongside other issues. Workers who raise one issue often discover others: unpaid wages, excessive hours, or an unsafe workplace. Related guides:

What to Put in Your Complaint File

A clear, short file helps MOHRE act quickly. Prepare these items before you call or open the app:

Your full name as in the passport, passport number and nationality.
The company name, its location and, if you have it, the labour card or establishment number.
The date you handed over the passport and the reason you were given.
Screenshots or copies of your written requests and the employer’s replies.
Your labour contract or offer letter, and your latest visa page or Emirates ID copy.
A simple timeline of events in date order, in two or three lines per event.

If you cannot find a document, do not delay the complaint. Describe what you know and ask MOHRE what else is needed.

Tips for Workers and Families

Never hand over originals if a copy will do. Ask whether a copy is enough.
If you hand over the passport for a procedure, take a photo of the passport page and record the date and the name of the person who took it.
Ask for a short written acknowledgement: “Passport received on [date] for [purpose], to be returned by [date].”
Tell a family member or friend where your passport is.
Learn the MOHRE call centre number before you need it: 600590000.
If the passport is returned, check all pages and the visa stamp.

Tips for Employers

Employers who need a passport for official work should ask for consent, state the purpose, return it promptly and keep a record. Holding it longer than necessary exposes the company to MOHRE complaints. Check the current MOHRE rules and penalties on the official website, as they can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my company keep my passport in the UAE?
No. A private-sector employer must not withhold a worker’s official documents, including the passport, under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Temporary holding for a visa procedure with your consent is the main exception.

Is it legal if I gave my passport voluntarily?
Handing it over for a specific task is allowed. But the employer must return it when the task is done, and you can ask for it back at any time.

What should I do first if my employer refuses to return my passport?
Ask in writing by WhatsApp or email, keep a record, and then file a complaint with MOHRE if there is no return.

What is the MOHRE number for complaints?
The MOHRE call centre is 600590000. You can also use the MOHRE website or app.

Can my employer keep my passport until I repay a loan or advance?
No. A debt is not a lawful reason to hold your passport. Raise the money dispute separately through the proper process.

Can I travel or leave my job if my employer holds my passport?
Without the passport you cannot travel. That is why you should ask for it back and, if needed, complain to MOHRE. Keep your complaint reference. Also check your contract and the rules on notice and bans.

Does this apply to domestic workers?
Domestic workers are covered by separate arrangements, but they can lodge complaints with MOHRE. Confirm the right channel with MOHRE or a Tadbeer centre.

Will I lose my job or be reported as absconding if I complain?
A complaint is your legal right. If an employer files an absconding report after you complain, you can challenge it. See our guide on absconding reports. Seek help from MOHRE.

What if my passport is at a government office for a visa procedure?
Ask your employer for the date it will be returned and for proof of the application. If the date passes without return, escalate in writing.

Do I need a lawyer?
Many passport complaints are handled through MOHRE without a lawyer. If your case is complex, such as unpaid wages, a ban or a threat, ask MOHRE for guidance or seek independent legal advice.

Where can I check the official rules?
On the MOHRE website (mohre.gov.ae) and the UAE government portal (u.ae). Confirm article wording and current procedures there.

Need Help With UAE Paperwork?

If you are unsure what documents or steps apply to your case, message Yalah on WhatsApp: wa.me/971525802100. We can help you understand the official process for visas, labour paperwork and cancellations. For company accounting and compliance questions that employers often have, Qaspro Global’s guide to the 13-week cash flow forecast and its AI accounting automation guide are useful starting points.

Have Any Questions?