Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (162) of 2025
- Issued Date: 04 Nov 2025
- Effective Date: 15 Nov 2025
- Official Gazette: No. 811
- Sector: Labour, Residency and Professions
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 45
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution establishes a Remote Work System that allows federal authorities in the UAE to contract non-national employees to perform certain specialized positions from outside the UAE. The purpose is to leverage global expertise and optimize resource utilization by contracting competencies at lower costs than hiring locally. The Resolution sets out the eligibility criteria for positions, employment patterns, contractual requirements, financial entitlements, and obligations of both employees and federal authorities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 1-22)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Resolution aims to support and enable federal authorities to perform their duties and enhance governmental efficiency and effectiveness through three key objectives: (1) leveraging global competencies and expertise located outside the UAE to perform certain positions or execute projects/studies; (2) optimizing the use of resources by contracting global competencies at lower salaries and benefits than local hires; and (3) leveraging modern digital technologies to enhance the efficiency of governmental work. The provisions apply to all non-national individuals contracted to work remotely from outside the UAE to occupy eligible positions in federal authorities, with some exemptions. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Resolution provides the following key definitions:
- System: The Remote Work System from Outside the State
- Remote Work from Outside the State: The performance by the employee of job duties from outside the UAE, in accordance with this System
- Salary: The financial remuneration determined for the person contracted from outside the UAE pursuant to this System
- Positions: The positions identified and agreed upon for remote work from outside the UAE
- Employee: The non-national person contracted to work remotely from outside the UAE to occupy an eligible position
- Performance System: The performance management system adopted by the federal authority
(Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The Resolution imposes the following key obligations on employees working under the Remote Work System: 1. Perform the duties of the assigned position and work requirements. (Art. 10(1)) 2. Adhere to the official working days and hours stipulated in the employment contract. (Art. 10(2)) 3. Complete tasks required for other positions within prescribed timeframes. (Art. 10(3)) 4. Personally perform the required job duties and not subcontract. (Art. 10(4)) 5. Refrain from working for any other authority inside or outside the UAE, unless prior approval is obtained. (Art. 10(5)) 6. Attend virtual meetings scheduled by the federal authority. (Art. 10(6)) 7. Maintain the security and confidentiality of the authority's data and information. (Art. 10(7)) 8. Comply with the Code of Ethics, information security regulations, and other relevant regulations. (Art. 10(8)) (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 10)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The Resolution does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for individuals to work under the Remote Work System. However, it does outline the following approval process for eligible positions: 1. Federal authorities must determine in advance the specialized positions that may be performed under this System, excluding administrative or executive positions. (Art. 4(1)) 2. The federal authority submits the list of identified positions to the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources for coordination and approval. (Art. 4(2)) 3. The approved positions are then included in the approved electronic system. (Art. 4(3)) 4. The federal authority may request the addition of new specialized positions to the approved list. (Art. 4(4)) (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 4)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The Resolution does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections granted to employees working under the Remote Work System. The focus is primarily on the obligations and requirements imposed on both employees and federal authorities.
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible under this Resolution are: 1. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources: Develops the human resources information system, prepares the procedural guide, includes approved positions in the electronic system, and oversees the implementation of the System. (Art. 12) 2. The Head of the Federal Authority: Approves the list of eligible positions, approves the employment contract, and may temporarily approve certain positions. (Art. 4, Art. 7) 3. The Federal Authority: Ensures the Position is approved and vacant, verifies the electronic infrastructure, takes measures to ensure data security, complies with HR procedures, monitors employee performance, and informs employees of relevant codes and regulations. (Art. 11) (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 4, Art. 7, Art. 11-12)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The Resolution does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with its provisions.
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The Resolution outlines the following key financial provisions for employees contracted under the Remote Work System: 1. Employees shall be granted a financial amount equivalent to 60% of the total gross salary of the job grade whose duties are performed. (Art. 8(1)) 2. Employees contracted under special benefits or experts and consultants benefits shall be granted a financial amount not exceeding 60% of the total gross salary of the specified grade or category, subject to applicable conditions. (Art. 8(2)) 3. The Head of the federal authority may approve an increase in the financial entitlement up to 80% of the total gross salary for employees contracted under special benefits or experts and consultants benefits. (Art. 8(3)) 4. Employees shall not be granted any allowances, bonuses, rewards, end-of-service benefits, or benefits granted to Federal Government employees. (Art. 8(4)) 5. No travel ticket allowance, children's education allowance, in-kind housing allocation, or health insurance shall be paid. (Art. 8(5)) 6. The approved currency for determining financial entitlements is the UAE Dirham (AED). (Art. 8(6)) (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 8)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The Resolution states that federal authorities for which a separate Cabinet Resolution is issued shall be exempted from the application of its provisions. (Art. 3(2))
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The Resolution does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The Resolution outlines the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. The term of the employment contract shall be one year, renewable for similar periods or part thereof. (Art. 7(1)) 2. The Head of the federal authority may temporarily approve certain positions for a maximum period of one year, where the purpose is the execution of projects, preparation of research or studies, or other urgent tasks. (Art. 4(5)) (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Art. 4, Art. 7)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Resolution references the following related UAE legislation: - The Constitution - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended - Federal Decree by Law No. (49) of 2022 Regarding Human Resources in the Federal Government - Cabinet Resolution No. (48) of 2023 Regarding the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree by Law No. (49) of 2022 Regarding Human Resources in the Federal Government (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
The Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government was issued on 04 November 2025 and came into effect on 15 November 2025, as per the Effective Date specified. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government, 2025, Issued Date, Effective Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Remote Work System from Outside the State in the Federal Government for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.