UAE sick leave certificate rule changed: who now submits it
MoHAP has changed the UAE sick leave certificate rule in 4 emirates, so healthcare facilities now handle attestation requests and some staff no longer need a second application.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
MoHAP has changed the UAE sick leave certificate rule for healthcare facilities under the ministry in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. The main change is simple: patients no longer start the attestation request themselves, which should mean less paperwork and less time spent chasing approvals during sick leave.
According to MoHAP, the enhanced system was announced on Wednesday and is meant to speed up the process for patients and their companions. For employees, especially public sector staff covered by the new automatic link, this could make it easier to get the right paperwork in place without a second application.
What the UAE sick leave certificate rule changes
Under the new system, the hospital or healthcare facility that issued the sick leave will submit the attestation application directly to the ministry on behalf of the patient, or the patient's companion.
Before this, the process began with the individual. MoHAP says the service now starts with the issuing facility, which cuts effort for customers.
The changes affect 2 services:
- Attestation of Sick Leaves and Medical Reports Service
- Approval of Sick Leaves and the Leave of the Patient's Companion Service
MoHAP has also linked the 2 services. That means a request that meets the required conditions can move from attestation to approval automatically, without a fresh application.
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| The individual started the attestation process | The issuing healthcare facility starts it |
| Separate steps for attestation and approval | Qualifying requests can move automatically to approval |
Who benefits from the UAE sick leave certificate rule
The immediate benefit applies to patients using MoHAP healthcare facilities in:
- Ajman
- Umm Al Quwain
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
MoHAP said the automatic transfer from attestation to approval applies to employees of the Federal Government and the local governments of Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, in line with approved controls.
For those workers, the second application is removed.
Patient companions are included as well. Healthcare facilities can now submit attestation requests for companion leave alongside the patient's own sick leave, which MoHAP said should make the overall procedure easier to complete.
What this means for workers and employers
If you work in one of the covered emirates and get a sick leave certificate from a MoHAP facility, the process should now involve fewer admin steps on your side. Instead of starting the attestation request yourself, the facility does it for you.
For eligible federal and local government employees, the bigger gain is that qualifying requests can move on for approval automatically. In practice, that should reduce repeat submissions and save time, especially if you are already unwell and do not want another trip or extra paperwork.
This matters because sick leave paperwork often affects payroll, attendance records and how quickly HR can process an absence. If you are dealing with a genuine medical absence, our explainer on whether employees are entitled to sick leave for depression and mental health issues may also help.
It is also worth keeping records straight. If an employer disputes time off or asks you to take unpaid leave instead, see our guide on whether your UAE employer can cut your salary or force unpaid leave. And if anyone offers to arrange paperwork outside the proper system, read about the risks in this case of fake sick leave certificates.
Why MoHAP says the rule was changed
MoHAP linked the update to the UAE Government's Zero Bureaucracy goals. The ministry said the changes are meant to simplify the customer journey, reduce procedures and complete services faster.
Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at MoHAP, said the ministry is focusing on redesigning procedures, making the service journey simpler and improving integration between entities.
He also said the ministry wants a more flexible and sustainable service model, with connected processes and better data exchange between entities. According to MoHAP, success will be measured by real improvements in customer experience and government efficiency.
What workers should do next
If you need a sick leave certificate from a MoHAP facility in one of the covered emirates, ask the healthcare provider whether they will submit the attestation request directly under the new system.
If you are a federal or eligible local government employee, check with your HR team how they will receive approved sick leave records and whether any internal reporting step still applies at your workplace.
Patient companions should also ask the facility if companion leave can be submitted together with the patient's request, as MoHAP says this is now part of the process.
Key takeaway
The new UAE sick leave certificate rule shifts the first step from the patient to the healthcare facility in 4 emirates. For some government employees, qualifying requests will also move straight from attestation to approval, which should mean less admin during sick leave.
FAQ
Which emirates are covered by the new sick leave certificate process?
MoHAP said the changes apply to healthcare facilities under the ministry in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Patients using those facilities are the main group affected.
Do patients still need to submit the attestation request themselves?
Under the new system, no. The issuing hospital or healthcare facility now submits the attestation application directly to MoHAP on behalf of the patient or the patient's companion.
Who no longer needs a second sick leave application?
MoHAP said employees of the Federal Government and the local governments of Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah can benefit from the automatic link between attestation and approval, in line with approved controls. For them, the second application is removed.
Does the new rule also cover companion leave?
Yes. MoHAP said healthcare facilities can now submit attestation requests for a patient's companion leave together with the patient's own sick leave request.
Why did MoHAP make this change?
The ministry said the update supports the UAE Government's Zero Bureaucracy objectives. The aim is to reduce procedures, save time and make the service journey easier for customers.
Further reading
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