NOC Lies Entirely at the Discretion of Employer

I am an engineer working with a private construction company for three years now. My residence visa will expire this month.

My labour card has already expired and my contract is unlimited. I submitted my resignation last week, but the company refused to give me a No Objection Certificate. I would like to know if I can join another company even without an NOC.

The issue of NOC is entirely at the discretion of the employer. Since you have completed three years in the same company, you may not require a NOC for joining another company.

I have been working as an engineer with a company based in Dubai for over five months. Due to the poor salary and internal politics, I wish to change my job. Is there any law that states a minimum number of months to avoid a job ban? Will the ban be applied if the new visa is issued from a free zone?

You have not mentioned whether your contract is limited or unlimited. If it is unlimited I advise you to complete one year in the company before tendering your resignation. If it is limited, you have to complete your contract period to avoid a job ban. Job bans are not applicable in most of the free zones in the UAE.