Employees across the Middle East and Pakistan planning to perform Hajj often need to know one thing: how much time off does the law provide for?
The answer depends entirely on where you work.
Hajj Leave Entitlements by Country
The table below compares hajj leave policies across nine countries based on current labour law provisions. All listed provisions apply to private-sector Muslim employees unless otherwise noted.
| Country | Leave Duration | Paid or Unpaid | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 10–15 days (including Eid Al-Adha) | Paid | Once during service; first-time Hajj only; minimum 2 consecutive years with employer |
| UAE | Up to 30 days | Unpaid | Once during employment with the same employer |
| Qatar | Up to 20 days* | Unpaid | Once during service; employer determines the annual number of workers, with priority to the longest-serving worker |
| Oman | 15 days | Paid | Once during service; minimum 1 year of continuous service; proof required |
| Bahrain | Bahraini: 21 days; Non-Bahraini: 14 working days | Paid | Once during current or previous employment; non-Bahraini employees need 5 consecutive years with employer |
| Kuwait | 21 days | Paid | Minimum 2 consecutive years with employer; first-time Hajj only |
| Jordan | 14 days | Paid | Minimum 5 successive years with employer; once during service |
| Egypt | 1 month | Paid | Minimum 5 consecutive years with employer; once during service |
| Pakistan | No statutory entitlement | Policy-based | Private-sector employees rely on annual leave, unpaid leave, or company policy |
*Qatar note: The Arabic text on Qatar’s Al Meezan legal portal states “not exceeding twenty days” under Article 83 of Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. However, the English translation published by the Ministry of Labour says “not more than two weeks.”
Employers in Qatar should verify the applicable duration with local counsel before setting policy.
Planning Your Hajj Leave
Regardless of where you work, start the conversation with your employer early.
Hajj requires advance visa processing, travel booking, and handover planning. Some laws allow employers to set annual limits on how many staff can go in the same year.
Here are the key steps to prepare:
- Check your eligibility — confirm you meet the minimum service requirement in your country before applying.
- Apply early — provide your expected departure and return dates, along with a work handover plan.
- Clarify the Eid overlap — ask whether Eid Al-Adha public holidays count within or outside your hajj leave period.
- Keep documentation — some countries (like Oman) require proof of Hajj travel or approval.
Sources
- Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development — Labour Law, Article 114
- UAE Government Portal — Hajj and Umrah Leave
- Qatar Al Meezan Legal Portal — Labour Law No. 14 of 2004, Article 83 (Arabic)
- Qatar Ministry of Labour — Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 (English PDF)
- Oman Labour Law — Royal Decree No. 53/2023, Article 84
- Bahrain National Portal — Hajj and Umrah
- Jordan Ministry of Labour — Labour Law No. 8 of 1996, Article 66
- Kuwait Public Authority for Manpower — Labour Law No. 6 of 2010
- Egypt Labour Law No. 14 of 2025, Article 130 (via ILO NATLEX)
- Pakistan — Punjab Shops and Establishments Ordinance, 1969 (via ILO NATLEX)
