Can my employer hold my passport in the UAE?

No. It is unlawful for an employer (or any third party) to retain the passport of a UAE employee against their will. The passport remains the property of the issuing government and the personal property of the holder.

The legal position

• UAE court precedent and labour-law principles consistently treat passport withholding as a violation of personal rights and a labour-law breach.
• Even with an employee's written consent, an employer cannot meaningfully require passport surrender as a condition of employment — such consent is generally voidable.
• A "voluntary" passport storage arrangement (employee asks employer to keep it for safekeeping) must be revocable by the employee at any time on demand.

What to do if your passport is being withheld

1. Send a written request (email + WhatsApp on record) asking for return.
2. If refused or ignored within 24 hours, file a complaint with MOHRE (for labour matters) or the local police (criminal complaint for misappropriation of personal property).
3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your home country can assist: most embassies in the UAE will issue an emergency travel document and pursue diplomatic channels if needed.
4. Keep evidence: copies of the passport, any custody receipt, the employer's acknowledgement.

Common scenarios

• Domestic workers face passport withholding more frequently than other employees. The Federal Law on Domestic Workers explicitly prohibits this.
• "Trade licence required" arguments by employers are not a valid legal basis.

For a specific dispute or to coordinate complaint filing, consult a UAE-licensed labour lawyer immediately.