When employees fall ill and are unable to attend work, their organization often requires proof of illness in the form of a sick leave certificate. However, for the document to be officially accepted — especially in Gulf countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Qatar — it must go through a formal verification known as sick leave attestation.
The sick leave attestation process ensures that the medical certificate or report is genuine and officially recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) or respective embassies. This attestation plays an important role in validating your absence from work due to health reasons and protecting your employment rights.
What Is Sick Leave Attestation?
Sick leave attestation is the process of authenticating a medical certificate or doctor’s note to confirm that the illness claim made by an employee is legitimate. The attestation verifies that the document was issued by a registered medical institution and is recognized by government authorities.
In simple terms, it is a legal endorsement of your medical certificate, proving its validity when presented to employers, visa officers, or legal departments.
Why Sick Leave Attestation Is Important
The purpose of sick leave attestation goes beyond proving illness. It serves as official documentation for several key reasons:
Employment Verification: To confirm an employee’s medical condition during absence from work.
Visa Extension or Leave Renewal: Required when applying for extended medical leave in another country.
Legal Protection: Ensures that your leave period is recognized in legal or labor-related matters.
Insurance Claims: Needed for processing medical reimbursements or insurance settlements.
Immigration Purposes: Required when presenting medical records for residency or visa applications.
Without proper sick leave attestation, employers or government offices may reject your medical certificate as invalid.
Documents Required for Sick Leave Attestation
The following documents are usually needed for sick leave attestation:
Original Medical Certificate or Sick Leave Certificate from a registered hospital or clinic.
Passport Copy of the applicant.
Residence Visa Copy (for expatriates working abroad).
Employer’s Request Letter (if required by the embassy).
Any supporting medical reports or lab test results (optional).
All documents must be original and contain official seals or stamps from the medical institution before submission for attestation.
Step-by-Step Process for Sick Leave Attestation
The sick leave attestation process involves multiple verification stages to confirm the authenticity of the medical certificate. Below is a step-by-step breakdown:
Step 1: Verification by the Issuing Hospital
The first step is to have your medical certificate verified by the issuing clinic or hospital. It must be signed and stamped by a licensed doctor recognized by the local health authority.
Step 2: Authentication by Local Health Department
After hospital verification, the certificate is submitted to the Health Department or Ministry of Health for validation. This confirms the hospital’s registration and verifies the doctor’s credentials.
Step 3: Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Once verified by the health department, the certificate must be attested by MOFA in the country where it was issued. MOFA authentication is mandatory before the certificate can be presented internationally.
Step 4: Embassy Attestation (if applicable)
If the medical certificate needs to be used in another country — such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Qatar — it must be attested by that country’s embassy or consulate in your home country.
Step 5: MOFA Attestation in the Destination Country
Finally, after arriving in the foreign country, the attested certificate should be presented to MOFA there for final legalization. This ensures it is officially recognized by local authorities and employers.
Sick Leave Attestation in the UAE
In the United Arab Emirates, sick leave attestation is especially important for employees under UAE Labor Law. The UAE government requires official attestation for any medical certificate exceeding two consecutive days of leave.
UAE Sick Leave Rules:
Employees must inform their employer about the illness within 48 hours of absence.
Medical certificates must be issued by licensed healthcare providers approved by the UAE Ministry of Health.
Certificates for longer sick leaves (over 2 days) must undergo sick leave attestation by MOFA UAE.
Where to Get UAE Sick Leave Attestation:
MOFA Attestation Centers across UAE cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Authorized attestation agents for faster processing.
Online attestation services via UAE government portals.
Processing Time and Fee for Sick Leave Attestation
The time and cost for sick leave attestation vary depending on the country and the number of documents submitted.
Normal Processing Time: 2–5 working days.
Urgent Service: Within 24–48 hours (additional charges may apply).
Fee Range: AED 150–250 in UAE or equivalent in other countries.
For attestation done through agencies, service fees may be slightly higher depending on delivery options and embassy requirements.
Benefits of Sick Leave Attestation
Proper sick leave attestation offers multiple benefits for employees and organizations alike:
Ensures legal validity of medical certificates.
Protects employees from wrongful termination.
Enables insurance reimbursement or sick pay eligibility.
Simplifies visa renewal for employees under medical treatment.
Provides official proof of absence for government or corporate audits.
By completing sick leave attestation, employees demonstrate transparency and compliance with labor regulations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people face delays or rejections during sick leave attestation because of small but avoidable errors. Here’s what you should watch out for:
Submitting unsigned or unstamped medical certificates.
Using documents from unregistered hospitals.
Skipping MOFA authentication before embassy attestation.
Presenting photocopies instead of originals.
Failing to meet employer notification deadlines.
Avoiding these mistakes ensures smooth processing and acceptance of your attested certificate.
Where to Get Sick Leave Attestation Services
If you are unsure about handling the paperwork yourself, you can hire professional agencies that specialize in sick leave attestation. These agencies coordinate between the hospital, health department, MOFA, and embassy, ensuring that your document is properly authenticated in a short period.
When selecting a service provider:
Check for government authorization.
Confirm delivery timelines and tracking updates.
Compare service fees for transparency.
Conclusion: The Importance of Sick Leave Attestation
In conclusion, sick leave attestation is an essential legal process that validates your medical certificate for official use. Whether you are applying for sick pay, renewing a visa, or providing proof of absence to your employer, this attestation ensures your documents are trusted and accepted globally.
Completing the sick leave attestation process correctly — from hospital verification to MOFA approval — helps safeguard your employment rights and maintain professional credibility. It also prevents disputes and delays in official procedures, especially in countries like the UAE, where document verification is strictly regulated.
By ensuring your sick leave attestation is done on time and through proper channels, you can confidently submit your medical certificates anywhere in the world with full legal recognition.
