Are you someone who loves to travel but PTO’s are holding you back? It’s like you have all these plans and dream destinations but never have enough days to actually enjoy your vacation. What if I told you there was a way you could turn just 15 days of PTO into 43 days off throughout the year? It’s hard to believe, but it’s completely possible. It just requires you to do a little bit of maths – but lucky for you that’s what I’m here for. Come with me, and I’ll break down how you can score 43 vacation days in 2025!
Also read: The UAE 2025 Public Holiday List Has Been Announced – How Many Long Weekends Will We Have?
How Many Days Off Can You Get In UAE?
If you’ve worked in the UAE for over a year, then you’ll know that you’re entitled to 30 days of annual paid leave. And don’t forget about public holidays, because those don’t count towards your annual leave – so you can just add those dates to your holiday without touching any extra PTO. So since the UAE has released the public holiday dates for 2025 and we’re nearing the end of 2024, name a better time to start planning your next trips than now? And here’s the best part, just like I mentioned earlier you’ll only need 15 days of PTO – so you can keep those 2 leftover weeks in your pocket for a rainy day and cash it out whenever you want!
How To Score 43 Days Off In 2024
1. New Year’s Break: Get 5 Days Off By Using 2 Days Of Leave
Start the new year right! With Wednesday, January 1, 2025, as a public holiday, you can take Thursday, January 2nd and Friday, January 3rd as annual leave days. That way, you’ll enjoy a long 5-day break by adding in the weekend – Saturday, January 4th and Sunday, January 5th.
PTO dates to book: Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3.
Also read: This New UAE Govt Decision Will Give Us More Public Holidays In 2025
2. Eid Al Fitr: Turn 2 Or 3 Days Of Leave Into 9 Days Off
Depending on the moon sighting, Eid Al Fitr may start either on Sunday, March 30th, or Monday, March 31st. If it begins on the 30th, you’ll have public holidays on Sunday, March 20th, Monday, March 31st and Tuesday, April 1st – giving you a 4-day weekend, including Saturday, March 29th. If it starts on the 31st, it’ll be a 5-day weekend – Monday, March 31st, Tuesday, April 1st, Wednesday, April 2nd, and don’t forget to count Saturday, March 29th and Sunday, March 31st.
By adding 2 or 3 days of annual leave to either scenario, you can stretch your days off into the following weekend (Saturday, April 5th and Sunday, April 6th) giving you a full 9-day vacation.
PTO dates to book:
If Ramadan ends on March 30: Wednesday, April 2 – Friday, April 4.
If Ramadan ends on March 31: Thursday, April 3 – Friday, April 4.
Also read: UAE Announces New National Celebration Day On February 28th – 2025 Public Holiday
3. Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha: Enjoy 10 Days Off With Just 4 Days Of Leave
Eid Al Adha and Arafat Day are expected to start on Friday, May 30th, and continue until Monday, June 2nd. Take 4 days off on Tuesday, June 3rd, Wednesday, June 4th, Thursday, June 5th and Friday, June 6th (just add in the weekend Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th) and voila you’ve got a full 10-day holiday extravaganza on your hands!
PTO dates to book: Tuesday, June 3rd – Friday, June 6th.
4. Islamic New Year: Get 5 Days Off With 2 Days Of Leave
Astronomers predict that Friday, June 27, 2025, will be the Islamic New Year. By taking Monday, June 30th and Tuesday, July 1st off, (paired with the weekend, Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th) you can enjoy another 5-day long weekend.
PTO dates to book: Monday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 1.
Also read: Dubai Private School Holiday List For The 2024-2025 Academic Year
5. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday: Enjoy A 5-Day Weekend With 2 Days Of Leave
Depending on the moonsighting, Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday is expected to fall on Thursday, September 4th. So, if you book, Wednesday, September 3rd and Friday, September 5th, (by adding the weekend, Saturday, September 6th and Sunday, September 7th) you’ll get a sweet 5-day long weekend to celebrate the occasion!
PTO dates to book: Wednesday, September 3rd and Friday, September 5th
Also read: European Union Announces Change In Schengen Visa Travel Starting 2025
6. Commemoration & Union Day: Unlock 9 Days Off With Just 2 Days Of Leave
The end of the year is packed with public holidays! Commemoration Day will be on Monday, December 1, followed by Union Day on Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3 is also given as a public holiday. So all you need to do is take two days off on Thursday, December 4th and Friday, December 5th, to enjoy a stellar 9 days off at the end of the year! Don’t forget to add in the two sets of weekends on either end – Saturday, November 29th, Sunday, November 30th, Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th!
Take just 2 days off to extend it into a 9-day break.
PTO dates to book: Thursday, December 4th, and Friday, December 5th.
And there you have it, planning your trips in 2025 just got a bucket load easier! It’s important to note that holidays like Eid and Islamic New Year depend on moon sightings, so some dates may change. Plan ahead, and you’ll be able to enjoy 43 days off with just 15 days of annual leave!
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