When you leave a job in the UAE, an experience certificate is one of the most useful documents you can take with you. Your next employer may ask for it, licensing bodies often want it, and some visa and immigration processes abroad rely on it to prove your work history.
Fortunately, UAE law gives you a clear right to one. This guide explains what the law says about the experience certificate in the UAE, what it must include, how to request it, what to do if your employer delays or refuses, and how it differs from a salary certificate or NOC.
Your legal right to an experience certificate
For private-sector employees on the UAE mainland, Article 13 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 lists the employer’s obligations. One of them is to give the worker, at the worker’s request and when the employment contract ends, a certificate of experience free of charge.
Two points follow from that wording. First, you need to ask for it, because employers are not required to issue it automatically. Second, your employer cannot charge you for it.
What the certificate must include
Under the same article, the certificate should state:
- the date you started work
- the date your employment ended
- your total period of service
- your job title or the type of work you did
- the last wage you received
- the reason the employment contract ended
In addition, the law says the certificate must not contain anything that could harm your reputation or reduce your chances of finding work. An employer can state factual reasons, but should not use the certificate to criticise you.
In practice, most UAE employers print the certificate on company letterhead, with the company stamp and an authorised signature, usually from HR or a manager. Some also add a short line on your responsibilities. That extra detail is optional; however, it helps when a future employer or licensing body wants to see what you actually did.
Experience certificate vs salary certificate vs NOC
These three documents are often confused. However, each one answers a different question.
| Document | What it proves | When you usually need it |
|---|---|---|
| Experience certificate | Where you worked, for how long and in what role | At the end of a job, for your next employer, licensing or immigration abroad |
| Salary certificate | That you currently work there and what you earn | While employed, for banks, tenancy or family visa applications |
| NOC (no objection certificate) | That your employer does not object to a specific action | For specific cases, such as an extra part-time job |
If you need proof of income rather than proof of past work, read our guide to the salary certificate in UAE.
How to request your experience certificate
- Ask in writing. Email HR before your last working day, or as soon as you receive notice of termination. A written request gives you a dated record.
- List what you need. Then ask for the details the law requires and, if useful, a short description of your duties.
- Check every line. Compare your name, passport spelling, dates and job title with your labour contract. Otherwise, mistakes cause problems later, especially abroad.
- Keep several copies. For example, save a scanned PDF and keep the signed original safe.
- Collect it with your final documents. Ask for it alongside your final settlement, so you are not chasing a former employer months later.
You can check the job title and dates MoHRE holds for you using our guide on how to check your labour contract in UAE.
Sample experience certificate wording
Employers use their own format; still, a typical certificate reads like this. The names, dates and figures are examples only.
To Whom It May Concern
This is to certify that Mr Rahul Menon worked with Example Trading LLC, Dubai, as Sales Coordinator from 1 March 2022 to 30 September 2026, a total service of four years and seven months.
His last monthly wage was AED 7,500. His employment ended on resignation.
During his employment, he coordinated customer orders, prepared quotations and supported the sales team with reporting.
This certificate is issued at his request.
HR Manager, Example Trading LLC (signature and company stamp)
What to do if your employer delays or refuses
Start with a polite written reminder that refers to Article 13 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and gives a reasonable deadline. In most cases, delays are administrative and end there.
If your employer still refuses, or asks you to pay for the certificate, you can raise a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) through its website, app or call centre on 600590000. Our guide explains how a MoHRE labour complaint works. Meanwhile, keep your request emails, your contract and your final payslip as evidence.
While you wait, other records can also support your work history: your registered labour contract, payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, and your end-of-service settlement.
Using the certificate outside the UAE
If you plan to use the certificate abroad, for example for a job, professional registration or a skilled immigration application, the receiving country may ask for it to be attested. However, requirements differ by country, so check with the receiving authority or that country’s embassy first, then follow the UAE attestation steps they specify. Ask your employer to issue the certificate in English, and in Arabic as well if the receiving authority needs it.
Who this applies to
The rules above come from the federal Labour Law, which covers most private-sector employees on the mainland. However, free-zone employees should check their free-zone authority’s employment rules, and federal or local government employees follow their own HR laws. Domestic workers come under a separate law.
Frequently asked questions
Is an experience certificate mandatory in the UAE?
Your employer must issue one if you request it when your contract ends. Under Article 13 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, it must be free of charge.
Can my employer charge for an experience certificate?
No. In fact, the law says the employer must give the certificate without fees.
Can I get an experience certificate if I resigned?
Yes. The right applies when the employment contract ends, whether you resigned or your employer ended the contract. In that case, the certificate states the reason the contract ended. See our guide to resignation and notice periods in UAE for the rest of the exit process.
Can my employer write negative comments on the certificate?
The law says the certificate must not include anything that could harm your reputation or limit your job opportunities.
Ask early and check the details
Request your experience certificate in writing before you leave, check every date and title, and keep both the original and a scan. After all, it costs nothing, and it will save you time with every future application.
Moving on to your next role? Browse the latest jobs in UAE and keep your new CV ready.
This guide summarises Article 13 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 as checked in October 2026. It is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your own situation with MoHRE or a qualified UAE employment lawyer.
