An absconding report is the common name for what the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) calls an absence from work complaint. An employer files it when a worker stops coming to work without explanation. If it is approved, the work permit is cancelled, and if the report is later proven valid, the worker can face a one-year ban on new work permits. This guide explains when a report can be filed, how to check whether one exists against you, and how either side can ask MOHRE to cancel it.
When can an employer file an absconding report?
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 and MOHRE's service rules, an employer can only report a worker when all of the following are true:
- the worker has been absent for more than seven consecutive days
- the employer does not know where the worker is and cannot reach them
- the worker is inside the UAE, which the employer proves with an entry and exit movement report from ICP issued within the last 30 days
- the employer has paid any fines for late issuance or renewal of the work permit
The complaint is filed through the MOHRE website or app using UAE Pass. MOHRE lists a completion time of two working days and no fee. Once the ministry approves it, the work permit is cancelled automatically. The rule does not cover a worker who has left the country; that case is handled through normal cancellation.
What happens after a report is approved?
An approved report has three practical effects:
- The work permit is cancelled. You can no longer work legally for that employer, and your residence status is affected, so you should act quickly rather than wait.
- Wage protection stops applying. MOHRE's 2026 resolution on the Wage Protection System excludes a worker with an active absconding report for as long as the report is valid.
- A possible one-year ban. According to the UAE Government portal, a worker can be barred from a new work permit for one year if a work abandonment report against them is proven valid. The ban period starts from the date the worker leaves the UAE.
The ban is not automatic for everyone. The portal lists these exemptions in the case of a proven work abandonment complaint:
- workers sponsored on a family residence visa
- workers applying for a new permit with the same establishment
- workers with professional skill or knowledge levels the UAE needs
- holders of the UAE Golden Visa
- other occupational categories set by ministerial decision
How to check if there is a report or ban against you
Start with MOHRE. You can call the MOHRE call centre on 600 590000, which the government portal lists as available from 8 am to 8 pm in several languages, or use the inquiry service on the MOHRE website and app. If you have a UAE Pass account, your MOHRE profile also shows the status of your permit.
A work permit shown as cancelled when you did not resign, or an SMS from MOHRE about a complaint, are common signs. A police or travel case is a separate check; see how to check a travel ban in the UAE.
How to cancel an absconding report through MOHRE
MOHRE has a dedicated service called Cancellation of an Absence from Work Complaint. It can be requested by either party to the employment relationship, so the worker does not need the employer's permission to apply.
- Log in to the MOHRE website or app with UAE Pass.
- Choose the cancellation service and enter the worker's details: work permit number or passport number, name, date of birth and nationality, the date of absence recorded in the report, and the establishment's details.
- Confirm your identity with the one-time password sent by SMS or email.
- Upload supporting documents that answer the claim.
- MOHRE reviews the request and sends the decision by SMS.
According to MOHRE, there is no fee and the expected completion time is 14 working days. The conditions are simple: the worker must be registered in the ministry's database and there must be an existing absence from work report.
What evidence helps
MOHRE decides on the documents in front of it, so build a clear file. Useful evidence usually includes:
- attendance records, emails, messages or call logs showing you were at work or in contact during the dates in the report
- a medical report or sick leave certificate if you were absent for health reasons
- proof that you reported unpaid salary or another breach to MOHRE before the report was filed
- your resignation letter and proof that you served the notice period
- any written agreement with the employer, such as a settlement or an agreed last working day
If the report was filed as pressure in a salary or end-of-service dispute, say so and attach the evidence. You can also file your own labour complaint; MOHRE's FAQ says complaints should be filed within 30 days of the breach. If the employer later agrees the report was a mistake, the employer can submit the same cancellation request.
Domestic workers follow a different process
Maids, drivers and other domestic workers are covered by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, not the private sector labour law. Under that law, an employer must notify MOHRE within five days if a domestic worker leaves, and a domestic worker must inform MOHRE within two days of leaving without the employer's knowledge. MOHRE offers separate withdrawal services for domestic worker reports; in Dubai the employer's withdrawal is processed through GDRFA Dubai's systems. For hiring and transfer rules, see our maid visa guide.
Practical tips
- Do not ignore a report and stay on in the UAE; your grace period and any fines depend on your residence status. Read UAE visa cancellation and grace periods.
- Keep copies of your contract, payslips and every message with the employer.
- Changing jobs? Resolve the report first so the new employer can issue your permit; see MOHRE work permit rules.
Official sources: MOHRE: Cancellation of an Absence from Work Complaint · MOHRE: Filing an absence from work complaint · u.ae: One-year work permit ban
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an absconding report in the UAE? It is the common name for an absence from work complaint that an employer files with MOHRE when a worker has been absent for more than seven consecutive days, cannot be contacted and is still inside the UAE.
Can I cancel an absconding report myself? Yes. MOHRE's cancellation service can be requested by either party to the employment relationship, through the MOHRE website or app with UAE Pass. There is no fee and MOHRE lists 14 working days to complete it.
Does an absconding report always mean a one-year ban? No. The one-year ban applies when the work abandonment report is proven valid, and several groups are exempt, including workers on family visas, Golden Visa holders and workers with skill levels the UAE needs.
When does the one-year ban start? According to the UAE Government portal, the ban period starts once the worker departs the UAE, and it is lifted automatically when the period ends.
How do I check if I have a labour ban? Call the MOHRE call centre on 600 590000 or use the MOHRE inquiry service on the website or app. You can also contest a ban by submitting a grievance with supporting documents through MOHRE's channels.
An absconding report is serious, but it can be challenged, and many are cancelled once the facts are on file. PRO VISA UAE (NOR ALAYAM Documents Clearing Services) can check your MOHRE status, prepare the cancellation request and organise your evidence. Message us on WhatsApp at +971 52 505 3494 (wa.me/971525053494) for a free first review of your case.