You wake up with a fever, a pounding head or a stomach that won’t settle, and the last thing you want is to get dressed and sit in a clinic just to prove to your employer that you’re ill. In Dubai, you still need a proper sick leave certificate. The good news is that a doctor can examine you and issue one at home.
This guide explains how sick leave certificates work in Dubai under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) policy, how many days a doctor can give, what you’re entitled to under UAE labour law, and how to get a certificate from a home visit doctor.
Key takeaways
- Only DHA-licensed doctors and dentists can issue sick leave certificates in Dubai, after examining you.
- A GP can give up to 5 days per certificate. Longer leave needs a specialist or a supporting medical report.
- Certificates are issued electronically through DHA’s Sheryan system and can’t be backdated.
- Employers can check a certificate online using its barcode and PIN.
- After probation, private-sector staff get up to 90 days of sick leave a year: 15 at full pay, 30 at half pay and the rest unpaid.
Too sick to get to a clinic?
A DHA-licensed doctor can examine you at home in 30–45 minutes and issue sick leave if it’s medically needed.
Who can issue a sick leave certificate in Dubai?
Under the DHA Sick Leave Policy, which took effect on 11 October 2024, only DHA-licensed physicians and dentists can issue sick leave certificates. The certificate must come from the health facility the doctor is licensed with, and it must follow a face-to-face consultation, unless it’s issued through telehealth. Nurses, allied health professionals, trainees and interns can’t issue sick leave.
A home visit counts as a face-to-face consultation. The doctor examines you in person, just as they would in a clinic.
How many days of sick leave can a doctor give?
The DHA policy limits how many days a single certificate can cover, depending on the doctor’s grade:
| Who issues it | Maximum days per certificate |
|---|---|
| General practitioner (GP) or dentist | Up to 5 days |
| Specialist | Up to 14 days |
| Consultant | Up to 30 days |
| GP, for certain infectious diseases on DHA’s list | Up to 14 days |
| Any doctor, through telehealth | Up to 3 days |
Longer periods need a supporting medical report. The policy also bans backdated certificates, apart from rare system errors that DHA itself must approve. So if you were ill yesterday but didn’t see a doctor, a certificate can’t be issued for that day after the fact.
How to check a sick leave certificate is genuine
All DHA sick leave certificates are generated electronically through the Sheryan system, and handwritten ones are no longer accepted. Each certificate has a barcode number and a PIN, which your employer can use with the “Verify Document” service on Sheryan. A certificate that has been changed after it was issued becomes invalid.
Your sick leave rights under UAE labour law
For private-sector employees, sick leave pay is set by Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Once you’ve passed probation, you can take up to 90 days of sick leave a year, in one go or spread across the year.
Up to 90 days of sick leave a year, but only 15 at full pay
Sick leave for private-sector employees after probation, under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 31
- Tell your employer within three working days of falling ill, and give them a medical report from a medical facility.
- During probation, there’s no paid sick leave. Your employer may grant unpaid sick leave if a medical report says you need it.
- Free zones such as DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws, so check your contract or ask HR if you work there.
How to get a sick leave certificate from a home visit doctor
A doctor will only issue a certificate when your illness genuinely needs time off. That protects you as well: a properly issued DHA certificate is one your employer can verify and can’t easily dispute.
Sick and stuck at home? The doctor comes to you.
Our DHA-licensed doctors visit homes, offices and hotels across Dubai, 24 hours a day, including weekends and public holidays.
- Full examination at home
- Prescriptions and a clear treatment plan
- DHA sick leave certificate when medically needed
- Lab tests at home if the doctor needs them
- Follow-up advice on when to return to work
DHA licence no. 3728742 · No hidden call-out fee · Cash, card or secure payment link
Common reasons people call a doctor home for sick leave
- Flu, fever and chest infections. Our guide to flu season in Dubai explains when it peaks.
- Viral fever and body aches
- Stomach bugs, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Migraine attacks
- Back pain and minor injuries
- Ear, throat and urinary infections
Tips for a smooth sick day
- Tell your manager early, ideally before your shift starts, even before you’ve seen a doctor.
- See a doctor on the first day. Certificates can’t be backdated, so waiting until you feel better won’t work.
- Keep a copy of every certificate you forward.
- Ask HR about attestation if your employer is a federal government entity or based in another emirate. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) offers an attestation service for medical leave and reports.
- If you’re getting worse, or you need more than a few days off, the doctor may refer you to a specialist.
If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or confusion, don’t wait for a home visit. Call 998 for an ambulance.
Book a doctor at home now
Available 24/7 across Dubai, including weekends and public holidays.
Frequently asked questions
Can a home visit doctor give sick leave in Dubai?
Yes. A DHA-licensed doctor can issue a sick leave certificate after examining you at home, as long as your condition medically justifies time off.
Can I get sick leave without seeing a doctor?
No. A certificate needs a consultation with a DHA-licensed doctor, either face to face or through a licensed telehealth service. Telehealth certificates are limited to three days.
Can a sick leave certificate be backdated?
No. The DHA policy prohibits backdated certificates, except for rare system errors approved by DHA. See a doctor on the day you’re ill.
How many days of sick leave can a GP give?
Up to five days per certificate. Longer sick leave needs a specialist or consultant, or a supporting medical report.
How does my employer verify my certificate?
Your employer can use the Verify Document service on DHA’s Sheryan system, entering the barcode number and PIN printed on the certificate.
Will I be paid while I’m on sick leave?
After probation, private-sector employees get the first 15 days at full pay and the next 30 days at half pay. Anything beyond that, up to 90 days a year, is unpaid. Check your contract, as some employers offer more.
Rest at home. Let the doctor come to you.
One call or message, and a DHA-licensed doctor is on the way to your home or office anywhere in Dubai.
- Dubai Health Authority. Sick Leave Policy, effective 11 October 2024.
- Gulf News. New UAE Labour Law: how are sick leaves calculated? (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 31).
- Ministry of Health and Prevention. Attestation of medical leaves and reports.
This article is for general information and doesn’t replace advice from a doctor who has examined you. It is not legal advice. In an emergency, call 998.
