Holiday dates announced for public and private sectors

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The UAE has announced Eid al-Adha holiday dates for government and private offices.

What does the change mean? Government offices will close for the holiday for a full seven days—from Sunday through Thursday, Aug. 19-23, plus the Friday-Saturday weekend—and reopen Aug. 26. The private sector will be open Aug. 19, then will close Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 20-22, and reopen Thursday Aug. 23, subject to employer discretion. Some industries, such as banks, have announced that they will extend the holiday break through Aug. 23 and resume work Saturday, Aug. 25.

• Implementation time frame: Aug. 19-26.
• Visas/permits affected: All immigration services.
• Who is affected: Employers and individuals seeking immigration and other services.
• Impact on processing times: Applicants should anticipate delays and a backlog when offices reopen.
• Business impact: Employers should factor in the holiday break when planning schedules.

Background: Eid al-Adha, or Festival of the Sacrifice, is one of the two major Muslim holidays and marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and honors Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Countries across the Islamic world announce the dates based on local moon sightings or follow Saudi Arabia’s determination.

BAL Analysis: In addition to the government and private office closures, applicants should check holiday observances for embassies and consulates, as they may vary depending on location.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in the United Arab Emirates. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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