Getting sick leave approved should now involve less paperwork. Gulf News reports that MoHAP-licensed hospitals and clinics can submit attestation requests directly for patients and their companions, instead of making them apply separately. Eligible applications can move straight to approval. The change should make a frustrating process simpler, although existing medical committee requirements still apply.

The details

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has introduced improvements to its sick-leave attestation service, allowing licensed healthcare facilities to submit applications directly on behalf of patients and their companions.

The enhancement was announced on 4 November 2026 and aims to reduce the administrative steps involved in obtaining officially approved sick-leave documents.

Previously, patients could initiate attestation requests through the ministry's digital services. Under the enhanced process, participating healthcare providers can submit the documents directly after issuing them.

Applications meeting the relevant conditions can proceed automatically to the approval stage without requiring a separate request from the patient.

The ministry's existing medical assessment rules remain relevant.

According to MoHAP's published service conditions, sick leave of five days or less can qualify for instant attestation. Leave exceeding five days and extending up to one month requires medical subcommittee approval, while longer periods require review by the ministry's Higher Medical Committee.

The ministry also states that certificates already attested by authorised health authorities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah do not require a second MoHAP attestation.

Healthcare facilities must meet the relevant licensing and submission requirements.

The immediate benefit is fewer administrative steps for patients who need to provide approved medical documentation to their employers.

The announcement does not mean every certificate is approved automatically or that existing medical eligibility requirements have disappeared.