Key Takeaways
- Employees performing Hajj for the first time are entitled to between 10 and 15 days of paid leave, including Eid al-Adha holidays
- The entitlement is a one-time benefit across an employee’s entire working life with any employer
- Employers can limit how many staff take Hajj leave each year based on business needs
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has set out the rules governing paid Hajj leave for workers in the Kingdom, clarifying who qualifies and how the entitlement works.
Under the Labour Law, employees may take paid leave to perform Hajj once during their service period, provided they have not previously performed the pilgrimage and have completed at least two consecutive years of service with their current employer.
How Many Days Are Covered
The ministry stated that Hajj leave must be no fewer than 10 days and no more than 15 days, with the Eid al-Adha holiday counted within that period. The leave is fully paid and applies to both Saudi nationals and expatriate workers in the private sector.
Employer Rights
While the leave is a legal entitlement, employers are not required to approve every request at once. The ministry noted that employers have the right to decide how many employees are granted Hajj leave each year, based on the needs of the business.
Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity
The benefit can only be used once. The regulation applies solely to employees who have not previously completed Hajj. Workers who have already performed the pilgrimage at any point in their lives are not entitled to this paid leave.
