The UAE Cabinet has set Eid Al Fitr holidays from Thursday 19 March through Sunday 22 March 2026 for federal entities, with work resuming Monday 23 March. Private-sector firms must give employees at least 19–21 March off, extending to 22 March if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
For global-mobility managers the announcement is more than a cultural footnote. Government service centres—including ICP visa counters, labour offices and free-zone authorities—will close for up to four consecutive days. Assignment start dates, entry-permit issuances and Emirates ID biometrics scheduled for that window will automatically roll to the following week.
To navigate these timing hurdles, mobility teams can lean on VisaHQ’s UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), which coordinates expedited entry-permit applications, monitors status changes in real time and arranges document pick-up even when public counters are closed—helping you keep onboarding schedules intact.
![Eid Al Fitr 2026: UAE Confirms 19–22 March Public-Sector Shutdown—Private Sector Follows]()
Airlines and hoteliers anticipate the usual Eid surge: Dubai Airports projects 1.8 million passengers between 18 and 24 March. Carriers have begun blocking “no-SHOW” fees for corporate contracts during the peak, while serviced-apartment providers report occupancy above 92 %.
Companies should finalise flight and accommodation for inbound assignees by early March and advise outbound staff to avoid travel on 21–22 March unless essential; last year’s Eid saw average DXB immigration queues exceed 55 minutes. Payroll departments must also account for the holiday when calculating per-diem and housing allowances that are prorated by working day.
Finally, note that Saudi Arabia and Qatar have yet to confirm their exact Eid dates. Cross-border projects in the GCC should build in two to three days of buffer for staggered restart times across jurisdictions.
For global-mobility managers the announcement is more than a cultural footnote. Government service centres—including ICP visa counters, labour offices and free-zone authorities—will close for up to four consecutive days. Assignment start dates, entry-permit issuances and Emirates ID biometrics scheduled for that window will automatically roll to the following week.
To navigate these timing hurdles, mobility teams can lean on VisaHQ’s UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), which coordinates expedited entry-permit applications, monitors status changes in real time and arranges document pick-up even when public counters are closed—helping you keep onboarding schedules intact.
Airlines and hoteliers anticipate the usual Eid surge: Dubai Airports projects 1.8 million passengers between 18 and 24 March. Carriers have begun blocking “no-SHOW” fees for corporate contracts during the peak, while serviced-apartment providers report occupancy above 92 %.
Companies should finalise flight and accommodation for inbound assignees by early March and advise outbound staff to avoid travel on 21–22 March unless essential; last year’s Eid saw average DXB immigration queues exceed 55 minutes. Payroll departments must also account for the holiday when calculating per-diem and housing allowances that are prorated by working day.
Finally, note that Saudi Arabia and Qatar have yet to confirm their exact Eid dates. Cross-border projects in the GCC should build in two to three days of buffer for staggered restart times across jurisdictions.
