How much study leave does a UAE worker get?
Ten working days a year. Article 32 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 allows study leave to sit exams for a worker enrolled at an educational institution approved in the UAE, provided the worker has at least two years' service. Article 21 of the Implementing Regulation lets the employer ask for proof of exam dates.
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Conditions
The worker needs an admission from an accredited UAE institute or college showing the type of study, specialisation and duration. The leave is for sitting exams, not for attending classes.
Combining leave
The regulation allows bereavement, parental, annual and unpaid leave to be combined. Study leave is granted for exam dates.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Study leave can be added as a leave type, so the days sit in the ledger with dates and do not reduce annual leave.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A quantity surveyor with three years' service is studying for a degree at a UAE university. Her exams fall on six days in May. She can take those six days as study leave and has four more available that year.
Questions people ask
How many days a year?
Ten working days.
What service is required?
At least two years with the employer.
Can the employer ask for proof?
Yes, of the exam dates.