Fixed-term contract jobs in the UAE

About fixed-term contract jobs

A fixed-term contract has a start date and an end date. In the UAE private sector this is now the standard form of employment: since Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 came into force on 2 February 2022, all contracts are concluded for a fixed term, and the former "unlimited" contracts were converted. A 2023 amendment removed the maximum term, so the duration is agreed between employer and employee, and contracts can be renewed or extended.

In job adverts, "contract" or "fixed-term" often refers to a role tied to a project, a budget or a defined period, such as a construction phase, a plant shutdown or maternity cover, as opposed to an ongoing position. Read carefully what happens at the end of the term: whether renewal is expected, whether the employer will cancel or transfer your visa, and how your gratuity will be settled. Notice and termination rules still apply during the contract, so check the notice period in writing.

Points to check

• Start date, end date and renewal conditions
• Notice period for both sides
• Visa sponsor: the employer or a staffing agency
• End-of-service gratuity if you complete a year or more
• Project allowances, accommodation and transport on site