Notice period rules when you resign in Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Short answer: in Qatar, 1 month for up to 2 years of service and 2 months after that. In the UAE, what your contract says, between 30 and 90 days. In Saudi Arabia, since February 2025, 30 days when you resign and 60 days when the employer ends the contract, for monthly-paid staff.
At a glance
| Country | You resign | Employer ends the contract | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | 1 month (up to 2 years' service), 2 months (over 2 years) | Same | Article 49, as amended in 2020 |
| UAE | As in the contract, 30 to 90 days | Same | Article 43, Decree-Law 33 of 2021 |
| Saudi Arabia (monthly pay) | At least 30 days | At least 60 days | Article 75, amended 2025 |
Your contract can set a longer notice period than the minimum, so check it first.
Qatar
The 2020 amendments to the Labour Law set notice by length of service: at least one month in your first two years and at least two months after that, for either side. Give notice in writing and keep a copy with the date.
UAE
Notice is whatever your contract says, as long as it is between 30 and 90 days, and the same period applies to both sides. If the contract is silent, 30 days is the usual default.
Saudi Arabia: the 2025 change
Amendments that took effect on 19 February 2025 made notice uneven for indefinite contracts with a monthly wage: an employee who resigns gives at least 30 days, while an employer who ends the contract must give at least 60 days. Before the change, both sides gave 60 days. For workers not paid monthly, it is 30 days for both sides.
For a fixed-term contract, a resignation that the employer doesn't answer within 30 days counts as accepted. The employer can delay acceptance for up to 60 days, and you can withdraw your resignation within 7 days if it hasn't been accepted yet.
If you don't serve your notice
In all three countries, the side that cuts notice short owes the other the employee's wage for the notice period, or for the part not served. If you leave early, your employer can deduct that from your final settlement. If your employer ends your job without notice, it owes you that pay on top of your other dues.
Notice and gratuity
Your gratuity is calculated up to your last working day, so the notice period counts as service. In Saudi Arabia this can matter a lot: if serving notice takes you past 2, 5 or 10 years, your share of the award goes up. Check your dates in the calculator before you resign.