Working hours in the United Arab Emirates
Offices in the United Arab Emirates typically run 08:00–17:00 local time, Monday to Friday. That is about 45 hours a week across 5 working days. The UAE moved to a Saturday and Sunday weekend in 2022, with a half day on Friday in the public sector.
The week in the United Arab Emirates
- Mon 08:00–17:00
- Tue 08:00–17:00
- Wed 08:00–17:00
- Thu 08:00–17:00
- Fri 08:00–17:00
- Sat off
- Sun off
When can you reach the United Arab Emirates?
We use the time zone your browser reports. Change it if that is not where you work — the hours below are yours, not UTC.
Working with the United Arab Emirates
Hours you share with the United Arab Emirates, computed from each country's own working day rather than a blanket nine-to-five.
- 8.5hIndia10:00–18:30 there · 08:30–17:00 here
- 7hGermany08:00–15:00 there · 10:00–17:00 hereThe difference moves +1 h on 25 October.
- 6hChina12:00–18:00 there · 08:00–14:00 here
- 5hthe United Kingdom09:00–14:00 there · 12:00–17:00 hereThe difference moves +1 h on 25 October.
- 5hJapan13:00–18:00 there · 08:00–13:00 here
- 2hAustralia15:00–17:00 there · 08:00–10:00 hereThe difference moves +1 h on 3 April.
- 0hthe United Statesno shared working hoursThe difference moves +1 h on 1 November.
What this changes when you schedule
the United Arab Emirates keeps the Saturday and Sunday weekend, so the days line up with most of Europe and the Americas.
The day also runs earlier than the nine-to-five most tools assume: 08:00–17:00 rather than 09:00–17:00.
A national convention for offices. Individual employers, shift work and retail vary.
Sources and last check
Times, offsets and sun positions on this page are computed live from the IANA timezone database and the NOAA solar algorithm, so they do not depend on the review dates below.
- Working hours and weekend days for 55 countries
- Source: Published national labour conventions and government working-hours guidance. Last checked, reviewed every 12 months.
Not covered:A national convention, not any given employer. Countries not listed fall back to a nine-to-five, Monday to Friday default, and pages say so rather than implying we checked.
FAQ
What are normal working hours in the United Arab Emirates?
08:00–17:00 local time is the usual office day, about 9 hours. The UAE moved to a Saturday and Sunday weekend in 2022, with a half day on Friday in the public sector.
What days is the working week in the United Arab Emirates?
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. The rest days are Saturday and Sunday.
Is Saturday a working day in the United Arab Emirates?
No. Saturday is a rest day in the United Arab Emirates.
Is Sunday a working day in the United Arab Emirates?
No. Sunday is a rest day in the United Arab Emirates.