National Service Leave for Emiratis in the UAE Private Sector
Check the paid sabbatical leave available to Emirati private-sector employees called for national or reserve service.
The direct answer
An Emirati employee in the UAE private sector is entitled to paid sabbatical leave to perform national or reserve service. This is a specific statutory leave tied to an official call-up; it should not be deducted casually from annual leave or treated as ordinary unpaid absence.
A practical checklist
1. Provide the official service notice
Give the employer the call-up or other document from the competent national-service authority as soon as practical. Keep proof of submission.
2. Confirm payroll handling
Ask HR to record the absence as national-service sabbatical leave and explain how salary and benefits will appear while the employee serves.
3. Protect employment records
Keep the employment contract, last payslip, leave balance and all correspondence. Make sure emergency contacts can receive formal workplace notices.
4. Plan the return to work
Before release, obtain the service or completion evidence required by the employer and confirm the reporting date, role and payroll restart in writing.
Important: This entitlement is for eligible UAE nationals called to the relevant service. It is not a general sabbatical available to expatriates or for voluntary training.
Before you act
The official UAE portal describes the leave as paid. Administrative details should be coordinated with the national-service authority and employer because call-up, deferment and release records are handled through those official systems.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 12 October 2026 against UAE Government — Leave to perform national service ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.