ILOE (Involuntary Loss of Employment) is the UAE's mandatory unemployment-insurance scheme, compulsory for most private-sector and federal employees since 2023. It costs AED 5 or AED 10 a month depending on your basic salary, and pays 60% of that salary for up to three months if you lose your job through no fault of your own. We check your subscription status and any outstanding fines by Emirates ID, register you if you are not covered, and prepare a claim if you have just been let go.
- Category A premium
- 5/ month
- Category B premium
- 10/ month
- Benefit
- 60% of basic salary
- Non-subscription fine
- 400
Who must subscribe
Subscription is compulsory for most employees in the private sector and the federal government, regardless of nationality or contract type.
- Private-sector and federal-government employees must subscribe
- Investors and business owners who own their own firm are exempt
- Domestic workers, temporary-contract workers and under-18s are exempt
- Retirees who have taken up a new job are exempt
Premiums and categories
Two categories, based on your basic salary — not your gross package. Premiums can be paid monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually, and the annual option is the cheapest to administer.
- Category A — basic salary up to AED 16,000: AED 5 per month plus VAT
- Category B — basic salary above AED 16,000: AED 10 per month plus VAT
- Payment channels include the ILOE portal, app, kiosks, exchange houses and telecom bills
Fines for non-compliance
Missing the deadline is expensive relative to the premium, and unpaid amounts follow you into your next job.
- AED 400 for failing to subscribe by your deadline
- AED 200 for not paying premiums for more than three months
- Unpaid amounts can be deducted from salary or end-of-service benefits
- Outstanding fines can block a new work permit or a residency renewal
How the claim works
The benefit is 60% of your average basic salary over the six months before unemployment, capped at AED 10,000 per month for Category A and AED 20,000 for Category B, for a maximum of three months per claim.
- At least 12 consecutive months of subscription before the claim
- The job loss must be involuntary — not resignation or dismissal for cause
- Claim within 30 days of your last working day
- Payment is made within two weeks of claim approval
Frequently asked
ILOE (Involuntary Loss of Employment) is the UAE's mandatory unemployment-insurance scheme, introduced in 2023. If you lose your job involuntarily it pays a monthly cash benefit for a limited period while you look for new work.
Most private-sector and federal-government employees. Investors and business owners, domestic workers, temporary-contract workers, under-18s and pensioners who have taken a new job are generally exempt.
Category A (basic salary up to AED 16,000) is AED 5 per month plus VAT. Category B (basic salary above AED 16,000) is AED 10 per month plus VAT. You can pay monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually.
AED 400 for failing to subscribe on time, and AED 200 for not paying premiums for more than three months. Send us your Emirates ID number on WhatsApp and we will check your status and any fines for free.
60% of your average basic salary over the six months before unemployment, capped at AED 10,000 per month for Category A and AED 20,000 for Category B, for up to three months per claim.
You generally need 12 or more consecutive months of subscription, the job loss must be involuntary, and the claim must be filed within 30 days of your last working day. Claims are rejected for resignation, dismissal for disciplinary reasons or if you have already left the country.
No. The scheme only covers involuntary loss of employment. Resignation and termination for disciplinary reasons are both excluded.
Fines are settled through the ILOE portal, app or authorised channels, and must be cleared before a new work permit is issued. We can confirm the exact outstanding amount and settle it with you.