Travel
Taking Time Off Work for Hajj or Umrah, a Practical Guide for UK Employees
For many British Muslims, the hardest part of planning Hajj or Umrah is not the money or the paperwork. It is getting the time off work. Hajj can take two to three weeks, and even a short Umrah usually means a full working week away.
This guide explains what UK law says, how to ask your employer, and how to plan your leave so the trip is easier to approve. It also shows how good timing can help you find cheaper packages.
UK employees have no automatic legal right to extra time off for Hajj or Umrah, so most people use their paid annual leave, sometimes with unpaid leave added. However, religion is protected under the Equality Act 2010, and Acas advises employers to consider these requests sympathetically, as an unreasonable refusal could be discrimination. Ask early, in writing, and be flexible with dates where you can.
What UK law says
Most full-time workers in the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year, which is 28 days for someone working five days a week. This can include bank holidays. You can check your own entitlement on the GOV.UK holiday entitlement page.
There is no separate legal right to time off for religious reasons. However, religion or belief is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. Acas guidance says employers should try to accommodate requests where possible, and that refusing unreasonably could be discrimination.
This does not mean every request must be approved. Employers can still refuse for genuine business reasons, such as too many people being off at the same time. Your contract and company holiday policy also matter, so read them first.
Notice rules: unless your contract says otherwise, the Working Time Regulations say you should give notice of at least twice the length of the leave you want. For a two-week trip, that means at least four weeks. In practice, giving much more notice makes approval far more likely.
How much time off do you need?
| Trip | Typical length | Working days off (roughly) | Suggested notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Umrah | 7 nights | 4 to 5 | At least 3 months |
| Standard Umrah | 10 to 14 nights | 7 to 10 | At least 3 to 6 months |
| Hajj | 2 to 3 weeks | 10 to 15 | 6 to 12 months |
These figures are rough guides. Your exact days depend on your flight times, weekends and whether bank holidays fall within your trip.
How to ask your employer
- Check your policy first. Find out how your company handles holiday requests, carry-over and unpaid leave.
- Ask early. For Hajj, start the conversation as soon as you decide to go. Hajj 2027 is expected in mid-May, so now is a good time to raise it.
- Put it in writing. Send a short, polite email explaining the dates and that the trip is a religious obligation or an important act of worship.
- Offer solutions. Suggest how your work will be covered, offer to hand over tasks, or offer to work extra before you leave.
- Be flexible. Umrah can be done at almost any time of year, so offering a choice of dates helps. Hajj dates are fixed, so explain this clearly.
- Get approval before you book. Never pay for a non-refundable trip until your leave is confirmed in writing.
Smart ways to make your leave go further
- Plan Umrah around bank holidays, such as Easter or the late May bank holiday, to save annual leave.
- Ask whether you can carry over unused days from one holiday year to the next if you are saving up for Hajj.
- Ask about unpaid leave or a short sabbatical if your trip is longer than the leave you have left.
- Avoid the busiest periods at work, such as year-end or peak trading seasons, when requests are harder to approve.
How timing helps you save money
Planning ahead is good for your wallet as well as your employer. The cheapest dates for Umrah are usually outside the UK school holidays and away from Ramadan. If your leave is flexible, you will have a wider choice of cheap Umrah packages from the UK.
Hajj places are limited, and prices often rise as the season gets closer. Booking your leave early means you can also secure one of the cheap Hajj packages from the UK before the best value options sell out.
If you are self-employed
Self-employed people do not need permission, but they do need to plan. Tell regular clients well in advance, finish urgent work before you leave, set an out-of-office message and budget for the income you will miss while you are away.
Final thoughts
Getting time off for Hajj or Umrah is usually straightforward if you plan ahead. Know your rights, ask early, put your request in writing and offer to help your team while you are away. Then you can travel with peace of mind and focus fully on your worship.
This guide gives general information only and is not legal advice. If you have a dispute with your employer, contact Acas for free and impartial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK employers have to give time off for Hajj?
No. There is no automatic legal right to extra time off. However, employers should consider requests fairly, as an unreasonable refusal could be religious discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
Can I use annual leave for Umrah?
Yes. Most UK employees use their paid annual leave for Umrah, following their normal holiday request process.
How much notice should I give for Hajj leave?
Legally, notice is usually twice the length of the leave, but for Hajj it is best to ask six to twelve months ahead.
Can my employer refuse my Umrah leave?
Yes, for genuine business reasons. Offering alternative dates usually helps, as Umrah can be done at most times of the year.
When is the cheapest time to go for Umrah from the UK?
Prices are usually lower outside the UK school holidays and away from Ramadan, so flexible leave helps you find cheaper packages.
About the author: This article was written by the team at Islamic Travel, a London-based, ATOL-protected Umrah and Hajj specialist helping UK pilgrims since 2017.