Government working days and hours in Dubai, and public holidays
Checked on 8 October 2026
Working week: since 1 January 2022 the federal government and the Government of Dubai work four and a half days. Official hours are Monday to Thursday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 12:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday are the weekend. Entities may use flexible hours and remote work on Fridays.
Summer: Dubai's 'Our Flexible Summer' scheme for government employees ran from 29 June to 10 September 2026 (two groups: 7 hours Monday to Thursday plus 4.5 hours Friday, or 8 hours Monday to Thursday with Friday off). It was also run in 2024 and 2025.
What this means for clients: - Online services (ICP, GDRFA, MOHRE apps and websites) accept applications 24/7, but approvals are processed on working days. - Amer centres, typing centres and customer happiness centres keep their own opening hours, which can include Saturdays; check before going. - Processing times are counted in working days; Friday afternoons, weekends and public holidays add time.
Public holidays (u.ae, updated 2 July 2026, under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024): New Year's Day (1 January), Eid Al Fitr (1 to 3 Shawwal; when Ramadan has 30 days, 30 Ramadan is also a holiday), Arafah Day (9 Dhu al-Hijjah), Eid Al Adha (10 to 12 Dhu al-Hijjah), Hijri New Year (1 Muharram), the Prophet's birthday (12 Rabi al-Awwal) and National Day (2 and 3 December). Islamic holidays depend on the moon sighting, so the exact days are announced shortly before by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (government) and MOHRE (private sector). In 2026, National Day falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December.
What to do: submit urgent files well before Eid and long weekends, and remember that deadlines (grace periods, 120 days for newborns) keep running during holidays.
Government rules and fees change. This guide was correct when our team checked it; a consultant confirms the details for your own case before anything is submitted.
Official sources
- Dubai Media Office – Dubai Government changes to the working week (Dec 2021)https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2021/December/07-12/The-changes-to-the-working-week-system
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – new UAE weekend and working hourshttps://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/government/new-uae-weekend-and-working-hours-in-2022-all-your-questions-answered
- The National (secondary) – Dubai summer working week 2026https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/06/24/dubai-announces-four-day-working-week-for-government-staff-over-summer/
- UAE Legislation – Cabinet Resolution concerning public holidayshttps://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2595
- Dubai Media Office – Dubai advances flexible government work with 'Our Flexible Summer' (24 Jun 2026)https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/jun/24-06/dubai-advances-flexible-government-work-with-our-flexible-summer
- u.ae – Public holidays (updated 2 Jul 2026)https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/public-holidays-and-religious-affairs/public-holidays
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