Sick Leave Issued Abroad: How to Translate and Attest It in the UAE (2026 Guide)
Why a Sick Leave Certificate from Abroad Needs Extra Steps
If you were treated in a hospital outside the UAE, the sick leave certificate you bring back is not automatically valid for your UAE employer. In most cases the leave must be attested by the UAE health authority before HR can record it as paid sick leave, and a certificate that is not in Arabic or English must be translated by a certified legal translator so the authority can read the diagnosis, the dates and the doctor's details.
This guide covers the order of steps, where the translation fits, and the mistakes that most often send a file back. Smart World Legal Translation (SWLT) translates medical certificates and reports from 50+ languages, stamped by an MOJ-licensed legal translator, from AED 60 per 200-word page.
Who Attests Sick Leave Issued Outside the UAE?
The authority depends on where you work and the rules of your employer:
Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)
MOHAP runs the federal "Attestation of Medical Leaves and Reports" service. Its service terms state that sick leave and medical reports issued by facilities outside the UAE must first be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Short leaves can be attested electronically, while longer leaves are referred to a medical committee. MOHAP also sets a short deadline, currently one month from the date the leave was issued, so do not wait.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH)
Employees in Dubai and Abu Dhabi may be directed to the local health authority instead. Requirements are similar in principle (attested original, supporting medical report), but check the current service page or ask your HR department which authority your employer accepts.
Source: MOHAP – Attestation of Medical Leaves and Reports. Rules change, so always confirm on the authority's own page.
Step by Step: From Foreign Certificate to Attested Leave
1. Ask the hospital for a full medical report
A one-line sick note is rarely enough. Ask the treating facility for a report showing the diagnosis, the treatment, the admission and discharge dates and the recommended rest period, signed and stamped by the doctor.
2. Attest the documents in the issuing country
Have the certificate and report legalised in the country of issue (usually its foreign ministry) and then by the UAE embassy or consulate there.
3. Complete MOFA attestation in the UAE
Back in the UAE, attest the documents with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. See our MOFA attestation guide for the current process and government fees.
4. Get a certified translation of the attested documents
Translate after the attestation stamps are on the document, so the translation covers the stamps too. A translation done before MOFA attestation usually has to be redone. An MOJ-licensed translator's stamp makes the translation acceptable to every UAE authority.
5. Submit to the health authority and hand the result to HR
Upload the attested original, the translation and the medical report through the authority's e-service within its deadline, then give the attested leave to your employer.
Which Documents Need Translation?
| Document | Why it is needed | Translation note |
|---|---|---|
| Sick leave certificate | The leave being attested | Needed if not in Arabic or English; include all stamps |
| Medical report / discharge summary | Supports the diagnosis and dates, especially for longer leaves | Medical terminology, dosages and dates must be exact |
| Hospital invoice | Sometimes requested by employers or insurers | Itemised tables are translated line by line |
| Passport and travel dates | Shows you were abroad during the leave | Usually no translation needed |
Claiming the treatment cost back from your insurer as well? Read our guide to medical report translation for insurance claims.
Common Mistakes That Get Sick Leave Files Returned
Most rejections come from avoidable paperwork problems:
- Translating too early: the translation does not cover the MOFA or embassy stamps added later.
- Missing dates: the certificate gives a number of days but no start and end dates, or the report has no admission and discharge dates.
- Name mismatch: the name in the translation is spelled differently from your passport and Emirates ID. Send a passport copy with your translation request.
- Late submission: the authority's deadline has passed by the time the attestation chain is complete.
- Machine translation: online tools mistranslate abbreviations and dosages, and authorities do not accept unstamped translations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a sick leave certificate in English need translating?
Usually not for the health authority, which accepts Arabic or English. Certificates in other languages, such as Russian, French, Urdu or Chinese, need a certified translation. Some employers and courts ask for Arabic, so check with the recipient.
Should I translate before or after MOFA attestation?
After. The translation should include the attestation stamps, so translating first usually means paying twice.
How long does the translation take?
Most one- or two-page certificates are ready the same day or within 24 hours. Same-day urgent service is available for a 20% surcharge.
Does SWLT attest the sick leave with MOHAP, DHA or DOH?
No. We provide the certified translation. The attestation is made by the health authority, and the final decision on the leave rests with the authority and your employer.
How do I get a quote?
Send a clear photo or PDF of every page on WhatsApp or through our contact page. We will reply with a free quote. For other medical documents, see our medical report translation service.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about document translation and is not medical, legal or employment advice. Attestation rules, deadlines and fees are set by MOFA and the UAE health authorities and can change, so confirm them with the authority and your employer before you apply.
Get Your Sick Leave Documents Translated Today
Deadlines for sick leave attestation are short, so do not let the translation hold you up. Smart World Legal Translation is led by Dr. Hani Elimam (MOJ licence No. 665), rated 4.8/5 on Google, and translates medical documents from 50+ languages from AED 60 per page. Send your certificate on WhatsApp.