Emergency & Force-Majeure Guidance
If you have to leave the UAE or Saudi Arabia suddenly — for any reason — your End of Service Benefit still stands.
Last reviewed: 8 August 2026. This page provides general guidance only. Always check your government's current travel advice, consult your embassy, and seek qualified legal advice for your specific situation.
If you have to leave suddenly — or your employment ends unexpectedly because of an emergency, a crisis, or force majeure — you still have legal rights to your End of Service Benefit. Here's what you need to know, whatever the circumstances.
Critical: an emergency does NOT eliminate your EOSB entitlement
Force majeure — acts of war, civil unrest, natural disaster, or any event beyond your control — does not extinguish statutory EOSB rights under UAE or KSA labour law. Your entitlement exists regardless of why the employment ended. In KSA, Article 85 goes further: if you leave because of a force majeure beyond your control, you are entitled to the full award with no resignation reduction.
If your employer terminated your contract — whether through redundancy, office closure, or a force-majeure event — you are entitled to full EOSB as if terminated by the employer.
This is more complex — but you are still entitled to EOSB.
UAE:
Since the 2021 law reform, there is no resignation penalty in UAE. You receive the same EOSB whether you resign or are terminated. Minimum 1 year of service required.
KSA:
Standard Article 85 resignation reductions apply unless you left because of a force majeure beyond your control — in which case Article 85 entitles you to the full award. If you believe your employer made conditions untenable (constructive dismissal), seek legal advice. The standard reduction tiers are:
Worth knowing: if you left because of a force majeure beyond your control, KSA Article 85 gives you the full award with no reduction. And if your employer issued a force-majeure notice, that may count as employer-initiated termination rather than voluntary resignation — consult a labour lawyer.
UAE:
KSA:
Need to send a formal letter to your employer?
Generate an EOSB demand letterUAE
30 days from employment visa cancellation for a standard work residence — some resident categories get longer (up to 6 months); check icp.gov.ae for your case. During this period you can stay, transfer to a new employer, or exit.
Saudi Arabia
Final Exit Visa: Must exit within 60 days of issue. Check Absher app for your exit visa status. Overstay fines apply after the grace period.
UAE
Your employer must pay all final dues within 14 days of your last working day. After 14 days, this constitutes a breach and you can file with MoHRE immediately.
Saudi Arabia
Under Article 88, final dues must be paid within one week of your last working day if you were terminated (or your contract expired), or within two weeks if you resigned. After the deadline, file through HRSD Qiwa or Musaned.
If you are a UK national, your EOSB may be tax-free if received before you resume UK tax residency. Once you return to the UK and become UK tax resident, EOSB received after that date may be subject to UK income tax at your marginal rate (20%, 40%, or 45%).
Consider receiving your EOSB before returning to the UK permanently. Consult an expat tax advisor — this timing could save you thousands.
Indian Citizens
Indian Embassy UAE (Abu Dhabi): +971 2 449 2700
Indian Consulate Dubai: +971 4 397 1222
Indian Embassy KSA: +966 11 488 4144
Pakistani Citizens
Pakistan Embassy UAE (Abu Dhabi): +971 2 444 7800
Pakistan Consulate Dubai: +971 4 397 0412
Know the exact amount you're owed before speaking to HR or filing a complaint.