Can You Take Annual Leave During Your UAE Notice Period?
October 23, 2026
Whether an employee can take annual leave during their notice period is generally a matter of agreement between employer and employee, rather than an automatic right or an automatic prohibition — employers commonly have discretion over scheduling during this specific window.
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During a notice period, an employer may want the employee available for handover and continuity, which can make them less willing to approve leave requests during this specific window — this is a business decision, not a fixed legal prohibition.
What Happens to Unused Leave Either Way
If a leave request during notice isn't approved, the unused days remain part of the employee's balance and get encashed as part of the final settlement instead — so declining a leave request during notice doesn't forfeit the entitlement, it simply converts it to a cash payout later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take annual leave during my UAE notice period?
It generally depends on agreement with your employer — it's not an automatic right, and employers commonly have scheduling discretion during this period.
Why might an employer decline a leave request during notice?
They may want the employee available for handover and continuity during this window — a business decision rather than a legal prohibition.
What happens to unused leave if a request during notice is declined?
It remains part of the employee's balance and gets encashed as part of the final settlement instead.
Does declining leave during notice forfeit the entitlement?
No — it simply converts the unused days into a cash payout at exit rather than time off during notice.