Can my employer decide when I take annual leave in the UAE?

Yes, to a degree. Under the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), the employer may set the dates of annual leave according to work requirements and should give the employee reasonable notice. Many employers schedule leave around operational needs, and where business demands require it, leave can sometimes be split or arranged across the year. However, the right to the leave itself cannot be cancelled — the employer can influence timing, not whether you receive your statutory entitlement. Where the employer carries leave over, the law limits how leave can be deferred or paid in lieu, so an employer cannot indefinitely prevent you from taking it. If you and your employer disagree on dates, it is best to request the arrangement in writing first. Persistent refusal to allow accrued leave can be raised with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). For a contract review or a dispute that is escalating, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI who focus on employment law.