In this post, I’m going to explain leave policies in UAE for foreign employers.
In fact, as an employer of record service provider, we follow exactly these guidelines for our clients.
This post covers all rules and regulations related to leave entitlement, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and more.
Without further delay, let’s get started…
Author
Co-author
In this post, I’m going to explain leave policies in UAE for foreign employers.
In fact, as an employer of record service provider, we follow exactly these guidelines for our clients.
This post covers all rules and regulations related to leave entitlement, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and more.
Without further delay, let’s get started…
Author
Co-author
Get in Touch with Us
Leah Maglalang
Business Coordinator UAE
Why Foreign Employers Must Understand UAE Leave Laws
If a foreign employer hires workers in the UAE, they must follow local leave rules even if their company is based in another country. When they know these rules, it helps employers avoid mistakes that can lead to fines.
UAE Labor Law Requirements for Employee Leave
UAE labor law gives workers different kinds of leave. For example, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, parental leave, compassionate leave, and Hajj leave.
Annual leave is a paid right, and unused leave must usually be paid at the end of service based on the worker’s basic salary.
Who Is Eligible for Leave Benefits in the UAE
Full-time workers are usually the main group that gets these leave benefits. In many cases, workers also start earning annual leave after they have worked for some time. If the employer allows it, some leave rules may still apply during probation.
Leave Entitlement for Full-Time Employees
A full-time employee in the UAE can usually get 30 days of paid annual leave after one year of service. If the employee has worked for more than six months but less than one year, they may earn leave month by month.
Leave Entitlement During Probation Period
During probation, annual leave accrues at 2 days per month worked but cannot usually be taken without employer approval most employers schedule leave to begin after probation ends.
For sick leave, the legal position is clear under Article 31: employees have no entitlement to paid sick leave during probation. The employer may grant unpaid sick leave if the employee provides a valid medical certificate from a recognised UAE medical authority, but this remains at the employer’s discretion. Paid sick leave eligibility begins automatically once the probation period is completed.
22 Working Days Annual Leave in UAE
Some companies say “22 working days” because they count only the days the employee normally works. They don’t count weekends or rest days. UAE rules are based on the employee’s full annual leave entitlement, and the company should explain how it counts leave days in its policy.
Labour Law for Annual Leave in UAE
UAE labour law says the employer must give annual leave and must not stop a worker from using it for more than 2 years. If the worker agrees to carry this leave forward or take money instead, this is legal. Remember that public holidays are separate from annual leave.
Annual Leave Calculation in UAE
If a worker has finished 1 full year, they usually get 30 days of leave. If they leave the job before using all their leave, the employer should pay for unused leave. This payment is calculated based on the basic salary.
Carry Forward Rules for Unused Annual Leave
Unused annual leave can be carried forward to the following year, but only up to a maximum of 15 calendar days (half of the 30-day annual entitlement), subject to employer agreement. Any remaining balance above 15 days that is not taken must be compensated in cash or forfeited it cannot be accumulated indefinitely.
Additionally, employers cannot prevent workers from taking earned leave for more than 2 consecutive years, unless the employee voluntarily chooses to carry it forward or receive a cash allowance. This means an employer who defers leave beyond the 2-year limit faces legal exposure regardless of whether there was employee agreement.
Carry-forward encashment rate: Cash compensation for carried-over unused leave is calculated at the salary applicable at the time the leave was due, not at the current rate. Upon termination, any remaining unused leave balance is paid out at the basic salary rate
Can Employers Refuse Annual Leave Requests?
Yes, an employer can refuse a leave request if work needs make it hard to approve. The decision should be fair, and the employer should tell the worker about upcoming leave at least 1 month in advance.
Notice Requirements for Annual Leave
The employer should tell the worker the leave date at least 1 month before the leave starts. This is useful for both sides to plan work and avoid confusion.
Payment Rules During Annual Leave
Annual leave is paid leave, so the worker should still get their salary during this time. If leave is not used and the job ends, the employer has to pay for unused days.
Medical Leave in UAE
Medical leave is another way people say sick leave. Employers give it when an employee has a real health problem. Workers must inform the employer and show a valid medical report.
Medical Certificate for Sick Leave UAE
The employee must notify the employer of their sickness within 3 calendar days of falling ill and provide a valid medical certificate from a recognised UAE medical authority.
Medical certificate attestation rules by duration:
Sick Leave Duration | Attestation Requirement |
5 days or less | Electronic attestation (no accreditation from medical committee required) |
More than 5 days up to 1 month | Attestation required with fee, plus medical sub-committee approval |
Over 1 month | Higher-level medical committee review required |
Paid and Unpaid Sick Leave Rules
After probation, sick leave pay is usually 100% for the first 15 days, 50% for the next 30 days, and unpaid for the last 45 days. During probation, paid sick leave is not required, but an employer may allow unpaid sick leave if the medical report is valid.
Employees are entitled to a maximum of 90 days of sick leave per year of service after completing the probation period — whether taken continuously or intermittently:
Period | Pay |
Days 1–15 | Full pay (100%) |
Days 16–45 | Half pay (50%) |
Days 46–90 | Unpaid |
Important: Employers cannot terminate an employee while they are on sick leave. However, if an employee exhausts all 90 days and remains unable to return, the employer may terminate the contract — in which case the employee is still entitled to full end-of-service gratuity.
When Can Employers Reject Sick Leave?
An employer can refuse paid sick leave if the worker is still on probation. Other conditions include the illness being linked to alcohol or drug use, or the worker breaking safety rules. If the worker has already used the full 90 days of sick leave, the employer may also take action under the law.
How Many Days Maternity Leave in UAE for Private Sector
The 60 days are divided into 45 days with full pay and 15 days with half pay. If the employee cannot return to work because of a pregnancy- or childbirth-related illness, she may also take up to 45 more days without pay. However, in this situation, a valid medical certificate is required.
Maternity Pay and Benefits in UAE
A worker on maternity leave gets pay according to the law, as discussed earlier. After returning to work, she is also allowed paid nursing breaks of up to one hour per day for 6 months after delivery.
Additional maternity protections employers must know:
UAE Paternity Leave 5 Days
Both parents in the UAE private sector are entitled to 5 paid working days of parental leave following the birth of a child. Key rules:
Maternity Leave for Husband in UAE
For a husband or father, the correct term is parental leave, which gives 5 paid working days in the UAE.
Parental Leave in UAE for Private Sector Employees
Private sector employees in the UAE can use parental leave to help care for their newborn baby. This leave is also paid and applies to both men and women.
Bereavement Leave UAE
Bereavement leave is time off when a close family member dies. In the UAE private sector, employees can get 5 paid days if a spouse dies and 3 paid days if a parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent dies.
This leave starts from the date of death. For in-laws, the law does not give a fixed paid leave right, so the employer may decide based on company policy.
Marriage Leave in UAE
In the UAE private sector, there is no fixed legal marriage leave for most workers. That means a private company does not have to give paid days off just because an employee is getting married.
Dubai Decree No. (31) of 2025, effective 1 January 2025, introduced 10 working days of fully paid marriage leave for UAE national employees working in Dubai government entities, special development zones, and free zones including DIFC and conditions apply.
Some government workers in Dubai do have a separate 10-day paid marriage leave rule, but that is not the same as the private sector rule.
Emergency Leave in UAE
“Emergency leave” is not a standard legal leave type in the UAE private sector. In practice, employers usually handle emergencies through unpaid leave, annual leave, sick leave, or special company-approved leave.
Public Holidays in UAE
Employees in the UAE get paid leave on official public holidays declared by the government. If a worker must work on a public holiday, the employer must give a compensatory day off or pay extra according to the law.
New Year’s Day
Eid Al Fitr
Arafat Day
Eid Al Adha
Islamic New Year
Prophet’s Birthday
Commemoration Day
National Day
Unpaid Leave in UAE
Unpaid leave means time off without salary. When the employer agrees, they may allow such leave. It is not the same as annual leave, sick leave, or public holiday leave, which are separate legal rights.
Leave Encashment in UAE
Leave encashment means money paid for unused leave days. In the UAE, if an employee leaves a job before using earned annual leave, the employer must pay for the unused days based on the basic salary.
Termination and Leave Rights in UAE
Leave Rights During Notice Period
The employee normally works through the notice period, and leave is not automatic. Employees can use annual leave or compensatory leave during the notice period, but only when both sides agree in writing.
Can Employers Force Employees to Take Leave?
An employer should not force annual leave. If the employer wants the worker to stay off work, it should be handled through a written agreement or paid-out leave rules under the law.
Employer of record service providers like FMC Group first hire employees in the target country without requiring the registration of a local entity. Then they onboard the employee, handle payroll and taxes (in applicable countries, not the UAE), and provide ongoing support such as work time tracking, leave management, and more.
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