Key takeaways
- ILOE is mandatory for private-sector and federal government employees under Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022; owner-investors, domestic workers, temporary-contract workers, under-18s and some retirees are exempt.
- Premiums are AED 5 a month for a basic salary of AED 16,000 or less and AED 10 a month above that, plus VAT, paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or yearly.
- Compensation is 60% of your average basic salary over the last six months, for up to three months per claim, capped at AED 10,000 or AED 20,000 a month.
- To claim, you need 12 consecutive months of subscription and up-to-date premiums, and you must file within 30 days of your job ending; resignation and disciplinary dismissal don't qualify.
- New employees have four months to subscribe, and fines apply for not subscribing or for premiums more than three months overdue.
What ILOE insurance is and who must subscribe
ILOE insurance pays a monthly cash amount for a limited time if you lose your job. It rests on Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022, Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022 and Ministerial Resolution No. 604 of 2022, and subscription began on 1 January 2023. The ILOE portal says it covers both Emiratis and residents.
Article 2 of Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022 requires all federal government and private-sector employees to subscribe, except:
- Investors who own the establishment they work in.
- Domestic workers and workers on temporary contracts.
- Juveniles under 18.
- Emiratis who meet the conditions for retirement, and pensioners who have joined a new job.
MOHRE says subscribing is the employee's responsibility, not the employer's, though establishments must encourage staff to subscribe and pay on time. If your contract sets no basic salary because you're paid on commission, you choose your category.
ILOE insurance cost and payment options
Your category depends on your basic salary, not your total package.
| Category | Basic salary | Monthly premium | Maximum monthly compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| First (Category A on iloe.ae) | AED 16,000 or less | AED 5 plus VAT | AED 10,000 |
| Second (Category B on iloe.ae) | Above AED 16,000 | AED 10 plus VAT | AED 20,000 |
Ministerial Resolution No. 604 of 2022 lets you pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or yearly. The ILOE portal sells 1-year or 2-year policies and adds the full VAT amount to your first payment. Our calculation: a year costs AED 60 or AED 120 before VAT.
ILOE compensation and the conditions to claim
Compensation is 60% of your basic salary, paid monthly for up to three months per claim and 12 months in total over your UAE working life. Ministerial Resolution No. 604 of 2022 and the ILOE portal use your average basic salary over the six months before job loss. Our calculation: an average of AED 12,000 gives AED 7,200 a month. Article 9 of Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022 requires:
- 12 months. At least 12 consecutive months of subscription, with all premiums paid on schedule.
- No resignation or discipline. You lost your job for a reason other than resigning and weren't dismissed for disciplinary reasons.
- 30 days. You claim within 30 days of the job ending, or of the court's ruling on a labor complaint referred to it.
- Other conditions. No pending absence complaint, no fraud or fictitious employer, no non-peaceful strike, and legal presence in the UAE.
Payments stop if you join a new employer. After a full three-month claim, you need 12 new consecutive months before the next one.
ILOE login, registration, payment and renewal
The ILOE portal (iloe.ae) and ILOE app carry no extra charge. Al Ansari Exchange, Tasheel and Tawjeeh business centers, kiosks, bank apps, ATMs, Botim and SMS ("ID" plus your Emirates ID number to 2120) add a service charge. To register or pay ILOE insurance online:
- 1. Open the portal or app. Choose Subscribe/Renew and your sector (private or federal government).
- 2. Log in. Enter your Emirates ID and mobile number, then the one-time password sent to your phone. Never share it.
- 3. Choose your plan. Pick the policy period and payment schedule.
- 4. Pay by card. Add an email address to receive your certificate.
- 5. Check your records. View Policy Details and View Statement show your certificate and anything you owe.
The policy terms on iloe.ae say the certificate renews automatically while you work in the UAE and keep paying, but the portal also sells 1-year and 2-year policies, so check your end date and renew in time.
ILOE last date, fines and Quick Pay
| What | ILOE last date | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribe as a new employee | Within four months of entry on a work entry permit, status change or first work permit approval | Ministerial Resolution 604/2022, Art. 11 |
| Pay premiums | Never more than three months overdue, or the certificate is canceled and a fine applies | Ministerial Resolution 604/2022, Art. 9 |
| File a claim | Within 30 days of the job ending, or of the court's ruling on a labor complaint referred to it | Cabinet Resolution 97/2022, Arts. 9 and 12 |
| Get paid | Within two weeks of the insurer receiving the claim | Cabinet Resolution 97/2022, Art. 13 |
MOHRE's ILOE page lists an ILOE Quick Pay FAQ. MOHRE said in November 2023 that fines can be checked and paid on its website and app or at business service centers. Unpaid fines can block a new work permit and can be deducted from wages through the Wages Protection System or from gratuity. For amounts, see how to check and pay ILOE fines.
How to claim ILOE insurance, and how we help
The ILOE claim brochure advises canceling your work permit first, as proof of job loss. Then:
- 1. Log in within 30 days. Use the ILOE portal or app, or call 600 599 555, with your Emirates ID or unified number, date of birth and UAE mobile.
- 2. Check the cancellation details. Confirm the reason and date; if they're wrong, add remarks and supporting documents.
- 3. Upload documents. Emirates ID, passport and visa, contract, termination letter, residency cancellation (not needed for UAE and GCC nationals or Golden Visa holders), bank statement, entry and exit report and any active labor complaint, up to 5 MB in total.
- 4. Choose payment and submit. Pick bank transfer to your IBAN (the system doesn't verify it) or an exchange house.
The approved work permit cancellation decides the claim, and the employee must check it before signing, so record the reason for termination accurately. Global Sky PRO is not an insurer and doesn't sell ILOE policies. We help employers keep staff insurance and HR records in order through our HR and payroll services and employee insurance support. Staff log in themselves; we never need passwords or OTPs. To check permit details, see our guide to MOHRE inquiry services.
Sources
- UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022 on insurance against unemployment
- UAE Legislation: Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2022 on implementing the unemployment insurance scheme
- UAE government portal: Ministerial Resolution No. 604 of 2022 on the unemployment insurance scheme
- UAE government portal: unemployment insurance scheme
- ILOE: official portal
- ILOE: claims submission guideline
- MOHRE: over 6.6 million subscribe to unemployment insurance scheme
Official sources checked on 13 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.