Frequently Asked Questions
Get clear answers about your rights, legal processes, and how to get help when facing difficulties abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear legal procedures, official helpline steps, and emergency guidance for migrant workers
Salary & WagesWhat should I do if my salary is not paid or delayed in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, or Bahrain?
File an immediate wage dispute with the official ministry: in UAE via MOHRE app/hotline (800 60), in Saudi Arabia via Qiwa portal / MHRSD (19911), in Oman via the Ministry of Labour portal / helpline (800 77000), and in Bahrain via the LMRA Expat Protection Centre (995). Employers are legally bound by Wages Protection Systems (WPS) across all 4 countries.
Legal RightsIs it illegal for my employer or sponsor (Kafeel) to confiscate my passport in the Gulf?
Yes, strictly illegal across all GCC countries. Under UAE Law (Decree Law 33/2021), Saudi Law (Decision 166), Oman Royal Decree 53/2023, and Bahrain Labour Law (Law 36/2012), your passport is sovereign government property. Employers face heavy fines and mandatory court orders to return passports immediately.
Immigration & LegalWhat should I do if my Kafeel files a false Huroob or Absconding report against me?
You have statutory rights to contest malicious runaway notices: in Saudi Arabia via Qiwa/Absher within 60 days, in UAE via MOHRE (800 60), in Oman via the Ministry of Labour (800 77000), and in Bahrain via LMRA (995). Submit proof of unpaid wages or valid duty attendance to overturn the report and avoid deportation.
Visa & ReturnHow do I clear visa overstay fines and get an Outpass / Emergency Certificate to return home?
Visit immigration authorities (UAE ICP/Amer, Saudi Jawazat, Oman ROP Seeb Outpass, Bahrain NPRA) with your ticket and an Emergency Certificate (White Passport) from your embassy. Look out for government amnesty waivers or submit an Istirham humanitarian fine reduction request.
Salary & WagesWhat legal steps should I take if my employer refuses to pay my End-of-Service Gratuity?
Calculate your legal dues using official ministerial formulas (MOHRE in UAE, Qiwa in Saudi Arabia, Royal Decree 53/2023 in Oman, LMRA Article 116 in Bahrain). Lodge a formal labor grievance before signing your final visa cancellation clearance papers.
Emergency & SafetyWhat emergency steps should be followed in case of physical abuse, threats, or confinement?
Call police dispatch immediately: 999 in UAE & Bahrain, 911 in Saudi Arabia, 9999 in Oman. Then contact your embassy's 24/7 welfare hotline or safe shelter (Oman MoSD 1100, Bahrain LMRA EPC 995) for urgent rescue, safe lodging, and repatriation.
Healthcare & RightsWhat should a worker do if an employer denies medical insurance or healthcare access?
Health insurance is mandatory by law in UAE (DHA/DoH), Saudi Arabia (CHI 920001177), Oman (Dhamani unified scheme), and Bahrain (NHRA/LMRA). File a grievance with the health authority or labor ministry. All government public hospitals are legally mandated to stabilize life-threatening emergencies free of discrimination.
Consular & WelfareWhat is the official process to repatriate the mortal remains (dead body) of a worker from the Gulf?
The sponsor or family must obtain local police death clearance, medical cause of death report, embalming certificate, and embassy repatriation NOC. If the employer refuses statutory transportation expenses, home country welfare funds (ICWF for India, CWWA for Pakistan, Wage Earners Board for Bangladesh) provide 100% free air cargo transit.
Immigration & LegalHow do I check if I have an active travel ban or legal case before exiting the Gulf?
Check official portals before booking flights: in Dubai via Dubai Police app / ADJD Estafser in Abu Dhabi, in Saudi Arabia via Absher / Najiz, in Oman via the Royal Oman Police & Public Prosecution portal, and in Bahrain via the Bahrain.bh national portal.
Visa & FraudHow can I verify a Gulf work visa and report fraudulent recruiting agents?
Verify work visas directly on official destination government portals (UAE ICP, Saudi MOFA, Oman ROP e-Visa, Bahrain LMRA) before paying money. Report fake agents to national recruiting regulators: MEA eMigrate / MADAD (India), BEOE / FIA (Pakistan), and BMET (Bangladesh).
Government PortalsWhat are the official government grievance portals for overseas South Asian workers?
Indian workers can log disputes on the MADAD portal (madad.gov.in) and eMigrate. Pakistani workers can reach the OPF / PM Portal and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. Bangladeshi workers can submit grievances through the Probashi Kallyan Desk and BMET.
GeneralIs the Migrant Help Finder directory completely free to use?
Yes. Migrant Help Finder is a 100% free, non-governmental public utility built to provide direct access to verified embassy contacts, labor helplines, and step-by-step rights navigation for blue-collar workers across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.