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 a wage dispute through official government channels: in UAE via MOHRE (800 60), in Saudi Arabia via Qiwa portal / MHRSD (19911), in Oman via the Ministry of Labour (800 77000), and in Bahrain via the LMRA Expat Protection Centre (995). Each country has mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing wage payments, but the specific system, coverage and complaint procedure differs by country.
Legal RightsIs it illegal for my employer or sponsor (Kafeel) to confiscate my passport in the Gulf?
Your employer generally cannot retain your passport. In the UAE, official UAE Government regulations (Federal Decree Law 33/2021) prohibit passport confiscation; in Saudi Arabia, MHRSD ministerial decisions prohibit retaining non-Saudi worker passports; in Oman, Royal Decree 53/2023 strictly prohibits withholding worker identity documents; and in Bahrain, LMRA rules clearly state withholding expat passports/IDs is illegal.
Immigration & LegalWhat should I do if my Kafeel files a false Huroob or Absconding report against me?
If you believe an absence-from-work/work-discontinuation status has been reported incorrectly, use the current official Saudi labour platform or contact MHRSD through its official channels to determine the procedure available for your case. In UAE contact MOHRE (800 60), in Oman contact the Ministry of Labour (800 77000), and in Bahrain contact LMRA (995).
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). Public hospital emergency rooms are legally required to provide life-saving stabilization during critical emergencies. For unpaid medical bills resulting from an employer failing to provide mandatory coverage, file formal grievances with the health insurance regulator or labor ministry, and consult hospital social work departments.
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. While employers are statutorily obligated to cover transportation expenses, if the employer refuses or absconds, home country welfare funds (such as ICWF for India, CWWA/OPF for Pakistan, or Wage Earners' Welfare Board for Bangladesh) can provide air cargo transit or local burial assistance subject to embassy eligibility criteria and verification.
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 an independent, free public information directory built to provide direct access to verified embassy contacts, labor helplines, and step-by-step rights navigation for workers across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. We do not charge fees, require registration, or act as paid intermediaries.