How to Check Absconding Status in UAE – How to Clear It?
When an expat worker (employee) is absent from work without prior notice, the Employer can declare the employee as absconded in the UAE.
If you think that you are absconded, you can learn how to check absconding status in UAE and check it online. The absconding status will let you know if your employer has filed a complaint against you or not. You can check your absconding status online right on your mobile phone.
What is Absconding in UAE?
When a foreign worker (expatriate) does not report to his workplace for seven days without prior notice, this activity is called Absconding in UAE.
In this situation, the employer may declare the worker as absconded i.e. run away from work without following the proper procedure.
Is Absconding Illegal in UAE?
Yes, Absconding is illegal in UAE because it is violation of the UAE Labour Law. The Labour Law is very strict in the UAE and it takes of both the employer and the employee.
The employee must follow the legal procedure to take leave while working in the UAE otherwise s/he will get into the “absconding” trouble that will lead to legal consequences.
How to Check Absconding Status in UAE
The facility to check absconding status in UAE is available for all expatriate workers. You can check your absconding status online or offline as you prefer. Here I provide 3 easiest ways for checking absconding status in UAE as under.
Check Absconding Status at MOHRE Website
The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE), UAE provides a service to check absconding status online for expat workers. If you need to check it, just go through the steps given below.
- Go to MOHRE official website @www.mohre.gov.ae.
- Put the cursor on Services section to expand it and select New Enquiry Services option.
- Navigate to Choose a Service section and select the applicable option as “Abscond Approval” or “Absconding Withdraw Cancellation Document”.
- Enter Transaction Number and Security Code in the given boxes.
- Finally, click on Search button to proceed.
- Your absconding status will appear on your screen.
The facility to check absconding status online is also available in MOHRE mobile app. You can download the MOHRE app and login to it, then check your absconding status in the app.
Check Absconding Status at Emirates Smart Service Website
You can also visit Emirates Smart Service website for checking your absconding status online, here are the steps for the process.
- Open a web browser and visit the official website of Emirates Smart Service @www.icp.gov.ae.
- Scroll down to Services section and click on E-Channel Services option.
- Enter your Email and Password or choose Sign in with UAE Pass to continue.
- Find and click on “Collect the Leave Permit Fees” option.
- Enter your Date of Birth (DOB) and Nationality, then click on Next button.
- If you see a message “Person Cannot Pay This Fine” on screen then your absconding status is positive. It means that your employer has filed a complaint against you for running away from work without prior notice.
Visit Police Station to Check Absconding Status
You can go to a nearby police station to check Absconding Status offline. You should provide your Emirates ID and work contract details as asked by the police officer. The police officer will enter your personal info in their system to check for any absconding case against you or not.
You should discuss with the police officer about how to resolve the absconding status as soon as possible. Listen to the police officer’s advice and follow the procedure to get rid of the absconding case quickly.
List of Documents Required at Police Station
When you go to a police station to check your absconding status in UAE, do carry all required documents shared below.
- Original Emirates ID
- Original Passport
- Residence Visa
- Employment Contract
- Latest Payment Receipt or Salary Slip
- Valid Medical Certificate(s) If Applicable
How to Remove Absconding Status in UAE
After checking absconding status, you have found that your employer has filed an absconding case against you.
So, you have to do something to resolve the absconding case to remove absconding status from your work visa.
Here I provide a few important suggestions for removing absconding status in UAE for expat workers.
Talk to Your Employer:
When you come to know about your absconding case, you should immediately contact your employer. Talk to your employer to discuss the problem and clear the misunderstanding, if any.
in case you were not present at work for 7+ days, provide a valid reason with proof to your employer. Thereafter request your employer to withdraw the absconding case so that you can be free from the absconding issue.
In case the employer does not withdraw the case then you need to seek legal help.
Get Legal Help (Hire a Lawyer):
It is important to get legal help for resolving an absconding case filed against you. If your employer does not response or is unreachable, you should go to a lawyer or legal advisor that works on UAE labour cases for a long time.
You should share everything about your employment with the legal advisor so that s/he can help you remove the absconding status. The lawyer/advisor may charge a nominal fee that you have to pay.
File a Complaint to UAE Labour Dept:
You should file a complaint against your employer if the employer has filed an absconding case even if you are not at fault.
You can discuss this issue with your legal advisor (or lawyer) and provide a valid evidence to prove that the employer has wrongfully filed an absconding case against you.
You need to register a complaint to the UAE Labour Law Department under the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE). The Labour Dispute Resolution Committee/Department will consider your complaint and evidence documents, then it will take necessary steps to resolve the case.
Follow UAE Court Proceedings:
If the Labour Dispute Resolution Committee cannot resolve your absconding case then the case will go to the UAE Labour Court. You should hire a lawyer to represent your case in the labour court and provide all evidences from your side.
The UAE Labour Court Proceedings may take several weeks to consider & review your case. The court will also consider your employer’s complaint and evidences, if any. At maximum, your absconding case will be resolved by the labour court in one year.
Please understand that the absconding status will be removed only if the court finds you innocent at the end.
If you are guilty and your employer is right, the UAE Labour Court will keep the absconding status on you and may ban you from working in the UAE for several years or permanently.
Consequences of Absconding Case in UAE
The UAE Labour Law takes absconding cases very seriously therefore it has set some consequences with it.
If there is a valid absconding case against you, you will have to face the consequences of absconding case in UAE including the following.
Fines & Penalties:
The employee is liable to pay fines & penalties to the UAE Labour Department if s/he is proven guilty in the absconding case. The fine/penalty amount is decided by the UAE Labour Court or the Labour Dispute Resolution Committee.
If you are innocent but your employer is guilty for filing a false absconding case then the employer has to pay 5000 or 10000 AED fine/penalty as ordered by UAE Labour Department or Labour Court.
UAE Work Visa Ban for One Year
The absconded employee is banned from working in the UAE for the period of one year. It means that you cannot work at any other company in UAE after absconding from your current employer.
If you are an absconded employee, no employer will give you a job in the UAE. You have to leave the country as per authority’s order and you will not be able to get UAE work visa for one year.
Note: If an expat worker (employee) has multiple absconding cases from different employers, the UAE Labour Department or Court may ban such an employee permanently. Such an employee can never get UAE work visa again during lifetime.
Detained in Jail and Deportation to Home
After the employer files a complaint of an absconded employee, the UAE Labour Department informs the UAE Police to find the employee ASAP.
After the employee is found guilty for absconding from work without informing the employer, the police will detain the employee in jail.
The employee has to pay fines/penalties as ordered by the authorities. Thereafter the employee has to finish the pending paperwork with the employer.
When it is all over, the UAE Police will deport the employee to his/her home country.
Conclusion:
At the end, I advice you to check your Absconding Status Online if you think that your employer has filed a case against you. Absconding from work is not a solution, you should contact UAE Labour Department if you have a complaint regarding any issue of your employer/workplace.
The UAE Labour Law protects the benefits of employees and takes care of the rights of the employers. I have shared everything about how to check absconding status in UAE and its consequences. If you still have a doubt, ask your question in the comment section.
FAQs about Absconding Status in UAE
How do I know if I have an absconding case in UAE?
You can check your absconding status online at MOHRE website or a nearby Police Station to know if you have an absconding case in UAE.
Where can I clear my absconding case in UAE?
You can contact your employer to withdraw the complaint against you to clear your absconding case in UAE. If it is not possible then meet a legal advisor and contact UAE Labour Department to clear your case.
How much is the fine for absconding in UAE?
The fine for absconding in UAE is 2000 AED and it must be paid by the absconded employee in given time.
Can I work at other UAE employer after absconding?
No, you cannot work at any other UAE employer after absconding from your current employer. Because you get banned from working in UAE for one year due to the absconding case.
