Leave Application Letter
Used by employees to formally request leave from their employer. Covers annual leave, sick leave, emergency leave, maternity/paternity, and hajj leave as per UAE labor law.
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What is Leave Application Letter?
Generate a leave application letter for UAE employees. Annual, sick, emergency, maternity, and hajj leave requests per UAE labor law.
When do you need it?
Used by employees to formally request leave from their employer. Covers annual leave, sick leave, emergency leave, maternity/paternity, and hajj leave as per UAE labor law.
What should this document include?
- • Manager Name
- • Manager Position
- • Company Name
- • Employee Name
- • Employee ID
- • Position
- • Department
- • Leave Type
- • Reason for Leave
- • Leave Start Date
- • Leave End Date
- • Return to Work Date
- • Total Leave Days
- • Annual Leave Balance (days) — If applicable
- • Handover To
- • Emergency Contact
- • Contact During Leave
- • Employee Phone
- • Employee Email
- • Application Date
How to prepare and submit this document
- 1 Check your leave balance first. Log in to your company HR portal or ask HR for your current annual leave balance. Under UAE Decree-Law 33/2021, you accrue 30 calendar days per year after one year of service, and 2 days per month after 6 months.
- 2 Select the correct leave type. Choose annual, sick, emergency, maternity, paternity, or Hajj leave. The notice period and documentation differ: annual leave should be requested in advance, sick leave requires a medical certificate after 2 days, and maternity leave can start up to 30 days before delivery.
- 3 Attach supporting documents. For sick leave attach a DHA/DOH/SEHA medical certificate. For Hajj leave, attach proof of Hajj registration. For emergency leave, a brief written explanation is usually enough.
- 4 Submit via official channel and keep proof. Submit through your HR portal if available, otherwise email your manager and CC HR. Keep the submission confirmation — if a dispute arises later, you need proof that the request was made on time.
Common mistakes that get this document rejected
- ✕ Requesting annual leave without checking balance and assuming unpaid leave is automatic — employers can deduct it as unauthorized absence instead
- ✕ Submitting sick leave after 2 days without a medical certificate; UAE law allows the employer to treat it as unpaid absence
- ✕ Not declaring Hajj leave at least 30 days in advance — the employer can lawfully postpone it to the following year
- ✕ Assuming maternity leave starts only after delivery; it can begin up to 30 days before the expected delivery date under current law
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer refuse annual leave during busy season?
The employer can reschedule annual leave for operational reasons, but cannot deny it indefinitely. You are entitled to take your accrued leave within the same year, and any postponement should be agreed in writing.
How many sick days are paid in the UAE?
After probation, you are entitled to 90 days of sick leave per year: the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 days at half pay, and the remaining 45 days unpaid. A medical certificate is required for sick leave longer than 2 days.
Is emergency leave a legal entitlement?
No. UAE federal law does not define "emergency leave" as a separate paid category. It is usually treated as part of annual leave or as unpaid leave at the employer's discretion. Check your employment contract and company policy.