Dubai is not just the jewel in the crown of the Emirates, it is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is a city which is host to some of the most stunning skyscrapers and beautiful beaches attract tourists from all over the globe. But that’s not just it, Dubai is home to some of the leading businesses in the world, attracting the best professional talent and executives from every country. But sometimes, these young or inexperienced professionals have a hard time understanding Dubai’s workplace policies and one such key aspect is the sick leave certificate in Dubai, a requirement for those taking time off work due to illness. So, Career Pro decided to explain the sick leave and medical certificate in the UAE and everything you must to know about Dubai sick leave certificates, their purpose and how to obtain them.
What’s a Sick Leave Certificate in Dubai?
First, let’s try and understand what exactly is a sick leave certificate in Dubai. It’s basically an official document issued by a licensed healthcare provider to certify that a person is unfit for work due to medical reasons. This certificate not only confirms your condition but also provides legal proof to your employer for your absence from work. In Dubai, this certificate is a key part of workplace compliance policies, making sure employees follow company policies and the UAE labor law regarding sick leave.
What’s the Difference Between a Medical Certificate & Sick Leave Certificate?
A sick leave certificate and a medical certificate are both terms that are frequently used interchangeably in Dubai. But it’s important we know the difference between them, and yes, there is a slight distinction between the two…
A medical certificate is a broader document that can include information about your overall health, fitness for specific activities or even conditions requiring long-term care.
And as far as a sick leave certificate is concerned, it is focused on verifying an illness or condition that prevents a person from performing your job duties for a specified period.
Understanding the difference between the two ensures you request the correct document based on your needs. Now that we’ve understood the difference, let’s move on.
What Is Sick Leave in Dubai?
A sick leave in Dubai refers to the time off work an employee takes to recover from an illness or injury. The UAE government, under its Labor Law, ensures employees’ rights to take sick leave while maintaining job security and strictly following ethical workplace standards.
Employees are entitled to 90 days of sick leave per year, which may include:
- First 15 days: Full pay
- Next 30 days: Half pay
- Remaining 45 days: Unpaid leave
Understanding how many days sick leave in UAE you’re eligible for, can help you plan better.
Why Do You Need a Medical Certificate for Sick Leave?
A medical sick leave in UAE is a formal acknowledgment of your health condition and serves many purposes. What are they, you ask? Well, firstly, compliance with employer requirements means that the majority of organizations mandate a sick leave medical certificate to maintain transparency and accountability. Then, the strict adherence to the sick leave in UAE labor law requires employees to provide genuine evidence of the illness or injury they’re claiming to have. Now, putting in a medical certificate improves the odds of your leave request being approved.
Is It Officially Required to Submit a Medical Certificate?
Employer’s Requirement
Absolutely! As most employers in Dubai require a Dubai sick leave certificate to process your sick leave, submitting a medical certificate or sick leave certificate only certifies that your leave is genuine and aligns with company policies.
Legal Obligation Under UAE Labor Law
As per the sick leave in UAE labor law, employees MUST provide genuine medical evidence for their absence, and failing to do so can result in the rejection of your leave request or even a disciplinary action.
Criteria for Obtaining a Medical Certificate
To obtain a sick leave certificate in Dubai, you must meet certain medical conditions, like…
- Acute illnesses (e.g., flu, fever, food poisoning)
- Injuries requiring bed rest
- Chronic conditions during flare-ups
- Post-surgical recovery
- Psychological health issues (after certified by a specialist ONLY)
Employers often scrutinize certificates for legitimacy, so it’s important to ensure they’re issued by an authorized medical professional.
What are the Steps to Obtain a Medical Certificate for Sick Leave in UAE?
Follow these steps to secure your medical sick leave in UAE:
- Make sure you visit a licensed healthcare provider by choosing a licensed hospital or clinic in Dubai.
- During the consultation, make sure you explain your symptoms to the doctor by being honest and thorough.
- Make sure you undertake a medical examination by undergoing any tests or assessments required by the healthcare provider.
- Quite simply, you can request for a sick leave medical certificate if you’re deemed unfit for work.
- Verify the certificate and make sure it includes your details, diagnosis, duration of leave and most importantly, the doctor or healthcare provider’s signature and stamp.
Attestation of Medical Leave Certificates
The medical certificate attestation, quite frequently also called ‘sick leave authentication’, is important in getting the required clearance from the appropriate authorities. It’s usually necessary to receive sick leave medical certificate anywhere across the UAE. It is a fairly simple and swift process in Dubai to have your medical certificate recognized by the UAE Health Ministry. Once Dubai’s private or governmental health institutions provide a certificate, authentication by a certificate authority (CA) becomes necessary in some situations. The procedure of a Dubai sick leave attestation goes quickly due to the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) cooperation. Before filing for a medical certificate attestation procedure in Dubai, you must meet certain requirements and submit specific papers. What are the conditions you must fulfil? What papers should you send? Keep reading to learn more.
What is Medical Certificate Attestation?
The sick leave medical certificate is an official clearance, signed by a licensed doctor indicating that the patient has had a medical examination. Keep in mind, it’s often called the ‘Sick Report’ as well. The certificate may be required in Dubai to obtain health benefits like as sick leave, short and long-term absence leaves, health insurance claims, and so on. Medical Certificate Attestation in Dubai is required to authorize the use of certifications in Dubai. You can also ensure that the given documents are legitimate and original by attestation.
Purpose of Medical Certificate Attestation
Medical Certificate Attestation in Dubai is the act of authorized departments, people, or authorities witnessing the medical certificate. It is required for papers intended for visas and other reasons in Dubai. In some cases, your Dubai sick leave certificate might require attestation for official purposes. The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) or the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) often requires attestation for extended sick leaves. While some employers may also ask for additional verification.
Timeline for Obtaining a Medical Certificate
How soon can you get your medical certificate for sick leave in UAE? See, the time to secure a medical certificate for sick leave in UAE depends on various factors. In most cases, certificates are issued immediately after your consultation. But if additional tests or attestation is required, it may take 1-3 days.
Authorized Issuers of Medical Certificates
Medical certificates for Dubai sick leave can only be issued by legally authorized by the following entities:
- Licensed hospitals
- Certified clinics
- General practitioners
- Specialist doctors
So make sure that your healthcare provider is registered under the DHA or MOHAP to avoid complications. Always.
How to Apply for Sick Leave and Submit the Certificate
The number one question everyone has been asking us is ‘how should we apply for your sick leave and submit the certificate?’ Well, starting off, notify your employer first about your illness as soon as possible. Then, provide the sick leave medical certificate to your HR department within the timeframe specified by company policy. It gets easy after that as you only need to follow-up. Keep a copy of the certificate for your records and confirm the acceptance with your employer.
Email Template for Sick Leave in Dubai
Below is a simple email template you can use by entering in your details…
Subject: Sick Leave Notification
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am feeling unwell and will be unable to attend work on [specific date(s)]. I have consulted a licensed healthcare provider and attached the sick leave certificate for your reference.
Please let me know if you require any additional documentation. I appreciate your understanding.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Career Pro Makes Your Sick Leave Process Easy!
Dealing with and accepting a new culture in itself can be an overwhelming experience, let alone workplace policies in a new country! Well, that’s where Career Pro jumps in and makes things easy peasy for you. We’re here to guide you through obtaining a sick leave certificate in Dubai and understanding the UAE labor law requirements. With our expert assistance, you can be rest assured to get accurate information on workplace policies while simplifying the medical certificate attestation process, as well as receiving timely support for career-related queries.
So, without wasting any time, visit Career Pro today and get ready for a bright and breezy work experience in Dubai.
