How is annual leave calculated if I worked less than a year in the UAE?

If you have worked for your UAE employer for more than six months but less than one full year, the Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) entitles you to paid annual leave at the rate of two days for each month of service. Once you complete a full year, the entitlement becomes 30 days of paid annual leave per year. During your first six months, the federal law does not grant a statutory paid annual-leave balance, although your contract or company policy may offer something more generous. When your employment ends, any annual leave you have accrued but not taken is converted into a cash payment, so leave earned during a partial year is not simply lost. The day-count is based on your actual length of service, not the calendar year alone. If you are unsure how your employer reached a figure, you can ask for a written breakdown and, if needed, raise it with MOHRE. You can also consult verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for help reviewing your entitlement.