Question: How is annual leave calculated for UAE companies? Is it credited upfront or accrued monthly? I’m asking because I plan to take a month-long leave for my wedding in March 2026, but my HR says my leave balance won’t cover it.
Answer: In the UAE, employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of annual leave after each year of service, as per Article 29(1)(a) of the UAE Employment Law. It states, “Without prejudice to the rights accruing to the employee prior to the entry into force of this Decree-Law, the employee shall be entitled to a paid annual leave of not less than thirty days a year for each year of service.”
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Additionally, employers can determine when an employee takes their annual leave. Article 29(4) of the UAE Employment Law specifies, “The employee shall use his leave in the year of entitlement. The employer may fix the dates of leave according to the work requirements and in agreement with the employee, or rotate leaves among employees for the smooth progress of work, and shall notify the employee of the date of his leave at least one month before the same.”
Employees can also take unpaid leave with their employer’s consent, as per Article 33(1) of the UAE Employment Law, which states, “The employee may, after the consent of the employer, take an unpaid leave, other than leaves referred to herein.”
Your annual leave for the current year may only be credited after a full year of employment. Your employer can set your leave days based on their internal policy. In your case, by March 2026, you may not have 30 days of leave available if you haven’t completed a year. However, you might negotiate with your employer to consider this a special case due to your fixed wedding date. If 30 days of leave aren’t granted, you could request unpaid leave with written consent from your employer.
Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He practices law in Dubai, the UK, and India. More about his firm at: www.amalawyers.com. Send questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.
