Sick Leave Certificate Attestation in Dubai
Get your medical or sick leave certificate attested by DHA, MOHAP or the issuing embassy so your UAE employer accepts it for payroll and leave records. Benchmark handles both foreign and UAE-issued medical certificates end-to-end.
Reviewed by: Attestation Specialist, Benchmark·Updated June 2026
What Is Sick Leave Attestation?
Sick leave attestation is the official verification of a medical certificate so a UAE employer can accept it as proof of illness for paid leave. UAE-issued certificates are attested by DHA (Dubai) or MOHAP (other emirates). Foreign-issued certificates go through the home-country ministry, UAE Embassy and MOFA Dubai chain.
How the Process Works
Benchmark first identifies whether your certificate is UAE-issued or foreign. UAE certificates are submitted to DHA/MOHAP for the health authority stamp. Foreign certificates need home-country MOFA, UAE Embassy and MOFA Dubai attestation. We collect the original, complete every step and deliver the attested document to your workplace.
Why Employers Require It
UAE Labour Law requires employers to accept only verified medical certificates for sick leave beyond one day. Unattested certificates — especially foreign ones — are routinely rejected by HR and payroll, leading to unpaid absence or disciplinary action. Attestation removes any doubt about the document's authenticity.
When Do You Need Sick Leave Attestation?
Whenever your UAE employer requires proof of medical leave that was issued outside their clinic network or outside the UAE.
Overseas hospital treatment
Sick leave certificates issued during travel or medical treatment abroad, before returning to the UAE for work.
Private clinic certificates
Certificates from private clinics that are not part of the employer's approved network, requiring DHA or MOHAP stamp.
Extended sick leave (5+ days)
UAE Labour Law requires an attested certificate for any sick leave beyond a specific duration set by the employer.
Insurance & payroll claims
Insurance providers request attested certificates for reimbursement. Pairs with UAE document attestation.
Four steps, handled by us.
Four coordinated steps from certificate collection to attested delivery.
- 01
Certificate review
We identify UAE vs foreign issuance and confirm the correct attestation chain for your employer.
- 02
Health authority stamp
DHA (Dubai) or MOHAP attestation for UAE certificates; home-country MOFA + UAE Embassy for foreign certificates.
- 03
MOFA Dubai attestation
Foreign certificates receive the final MOFA Dubai stamp after embassy attestation.
- 04
Delivery to HR
Attested original delivered to your home, office or directly to your HR department.
Your document checklist.
Send a scan first for the free pre-check — we confirm the exact chain in minutes.
Original sick leave certificate
Original signed and stamped certificate from the issuing hospital or clinic.
Passport & Emirates ID
Copies of the patient's passport photo page and Emirates ID for verification.
Employer letter (if required)
Some employers require a formal request letter for attestation coordination.
Certified Arabic translation
Arabic translation is required for most foreign-language certificates before DHA/MOHAP or MOFA attestation.
Top reasons documents get rejected.
Every one of these is preventable with a proper pre-check before submission.
Handwritten or informal certificate
Certificates without a clinic letterhead, stamp or licensed practitioner signature are rejected outright.
Missing home-country MOFA (foreign)
Foreign certificates without the home-country MOFA stamp cannot be attested by the UAE Embassy or MOFA Dubai.
Unregistered clinic or doctor
Certificates from clinics not licensed by the local health authority are refused at DHA and MOHAP.
Damaged or altered original
Any alteration, cross-out or laminated original is treated as invalid at the counter.
Transparent pricing.
Fees depend on issuing country and destination emirate. Every quote itemises government fee and service fee separately.
DHA sick leave attestation (Dubai)
- Govt. fee
- From AED 100
- Service fee
- On quote
- Turnaround
- 1 – 2 working days
MOHAP sick leave attestation (other emirates)
- Govt. fee
- From AED 100
- Service fee
- On quote
- Turnaround
- 1 – 2 working days
Foreign certificate embassy + MOFA chain
- Govt. fee
- Varies
- Service fee
- On quote
- Turnaround
- 1 – 3 weeks
Certified Arabic translation
- Govt. fee
- —
- Service fee
- On quote
- Turnaround
- 24 – 48 hours
Sick Leave Attestation Coordinated for UAE Employers
We know which certificates employers accept and which fail. Benchmark's pre-check saves you a rejected leave application and an unpaid absence.
Employer-first pre-check
We confirm the exact attestation your HR team accepts before we start — no wasted stamps.
Foreign + UAE chains handled
Whether your certificate is from Dubai, another emirate, or abroad — one team covers the full route.
Transparent quote
Government fee, service fee and translation cost listed separately in the written quote.
Free pickup and HR handover
We collect from home or hospital and can deliver the attested original directly to your HR department.
Frequently asked questions.
Tap any question to expand.
Most UAE employers require attestation for any medical certificate covering more than one working day, or for any certificate issued outside their approved clinic network.