How Does UAE Parental Leave Work in the Private Sector?
Learn who can take UAE private-sector parental leave, how many paid working days apply and when the leave must be used.
The practical answer
A private-sector employee who becomes a parent—mother or father—is entitled to five paid working days of parental leave. The days may be taken continuously or intermittently within six months of the child’s birth.
How to handle it
1. Tell HR which leave you are requesting
Name it as parental leave so it is not deducted automatically from annual leave or confused with maternity leave.
2. Provide proof of birth
Use the birth notification or certificate requested by the employer and share only what is necessary.
3. Choose dates within the six-month window
Submit the five working days together or separately and retain the approvals. Days outside the statutory window need another form of approved leave.
4. Check the payslip and balance
The five working days are paid. Confirm they were not deducted from annual leave and raise a documented correction quickly if the coding is wrong.
Important: Parental leave and maternity leave are separate entitlements; do not let one replace the other in the leave record.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 8 October 2026 against UAE Government — Parental leave ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.