Salary Certificate in the UAE

Do you think a salary certificate UAE is just another HR document? But it is more than that! It is a document that gets you through various financial and administrative processes in the nation. Its importance in the UAE is undeniable, and it holds a place of its own.

By confirming your employment and income status in the nation, it acts as a stamp of your financial stability in front of government authorities and other entities like banks.

In this blog, we will explore the importance of a salary certificate in the UAE, break down its components, explain how you can request one, and cover everything else you need to know. Let us start by understanding what it really means.

What is salary certificate?

A salary certificate UAE is an official document that is issued by an employer to the employee which mentions the employee’s income, job status, and other such details. This certificate is often required for various purposes in UAE where you need to confirm that you are financially stable.

For example, when applying for a loan in UAE, a bank may ask for a salary certificate. Therefore, it acts as proof and speaks about your financial security in your dealings.

Key components of a salary certificate UAE

An employee can request for salary certificate from the employer when needed. The certificate is typically printed on the company letterhead. Salary certificate format UAE includes the following components:

1. Employee information:

The personal details of the employee, such as full name, contact information, and address, must be clearly mentioned in the salary certificate. Additionally, the Emirates ID number, passport number, nationality, and employee ID should also be included.

2. Job information:

Details related to the employee’s job, such as job title, designation, department and responsibilities, must be specified. The type of employment, whether permanent, temporary or contractual, should also be clearly stated.

3. Employer details:

The full legal name of the company in UAE, its address, trade license number, and other relevant details must be clearly mentioned.

4. Salary breakdown:

The certificate should include the basic monthly salary, allowances, and any other benefits. The total annual salary should be specified in both numbers and words. This section reflects the employee’s financial position and must be carefully presented.

5. Signature and seal:

The salary certificate must contain the signature and name of the authorized signatory, along with the official company seal. This is an important component that certifies the legality and authenticity of the document.

6. Purpose of issuance:

The salary letter may also state the purpose for which it is issued, such as for a loan application, credit card, visa processing, etc.

7. Date of issuance:

The salary certificate must include the date of issue. This is important, as many organizations and institutions in the UAE may not accept a certificate that is older than 60, 30 or even just 14 days.

For whatever reason you are submitting the salary certificate, remember that government officials, banks, or any other concerned organization will thoroughly check and verify every detail in the document. Therefore, both the employee and the employer must ensure that all details are accurate and complete.

Salary certificate sample UAE

Here is a typical sample of a salary certificate UAE:

When is a salary certificate needed?

There are many occasions where you may be asked to present your salary certificate UAE. Some common examples include:

1. Bank account opening: Banks in the UAE follow strict regulations. They may ask for salary certificate for bank account opening or availing other financial products.

2. Loan application: To confirm eligibility and creditworthiness, banks may ask for a salary certificate when you apply for various kinds of loans.

3. Credit card application: Similar to loans, when applying for credit cards, banks need to verify your income sources and financial stability, for which they may request a salary certificate.

4. Tax-related matters: A salary certificate UAE may be required when dealing with tax assessments, particularly if income verification is needed.

5. Visa processing: For matters related to immigration or applying for a UAE residence visa, a salary certificate is often required. It confirms that you are financially stable enough to live in the country. Additionally, if you wish to sponsor dependents, a minimum salary threshold must be met and a salary certificate is used to prove this.

6. Housing and renting purposes: Whether you are renting an apartment or purchasing property on a mortgage, you may be asked to present a valid salary certificate. It serves as confirmation that you have a stable income to cover rent or mortgage payments.

7. Insurance and investment services: When getting an insurance policy or applying for investment products, financial institutions may require your salary certificate to assess your income level.

8. Accessing government services: While interacting with government departments or applying for services such as utilities, credit cards, or public benefits, a salary certificate may be requested.

9. Legal matters: In the event of financial disputes or legal proceedings, a salary certificate may be necessary to confirm your employment details and income.

10. Outside country use: Sometimes, a salary certificate issued in the UAE may be needed in foreign countries, for example, when applying for a visa abroad. In such cases, the certificate must be attested by the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).

How to get salary certificate in UAE?

The process to request a salary certificate from the employer is quite simple. Here are the steps of obtaining a salary certificate in UAE:

Step 1 – Get in touch with HR department:

First thing must be to contact the HR department of your company or the administrative department. Matters related to salary certificates or its issuance are typically handled by them.

Step 2 – Talk about your need:

You must clearly state the reason why you need the salary certificate UAE, such as for a visa, loan, or other purposes. It is important because the structure and details of the certificate may vary. You must also clearly mention if trade license or other company details are required.

Step 3 – Provide the necessary details:

You must provide the necessary information as may be needed, such as the name of the recipient organization (bank or any government authority) to whom the certificate must be addressed. Also, you can ask the company what details must be included in the salary certificate. Emirates ID copy, passport copy, visa copy, etc., may also be required.

Step 4 – Get certificate attested, if needed:

In some cases, you may need to get the salary certificate attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).

Step 5 – Wait for processing:

It usually takes about 1 to 2 days in most UAE companies to get the salary certificate prepared. Some companies may even offer it on the same day. In case more approvals are needed, the processing time can get prolonged.

Step 6 – Review your certificate:

Once your salary certificate is ready, collect it (either as a PDF or physical copy) and check it for final review. Make sure all information is latest, complete and correct. The validity of the certificate is decided by the organization, which typically in most cases is 30 days from the date of issue.

Salary certificate attestation in UAE

The salary certificate UAE may need to undergo a formal verification process to authenticate it. In some cases, the salary certificate issued by the HR department is sufficient, whereas in others, a legally attested copy is required.

In Dubai and other emirates, the attestation of salary certificates is overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).

Here are the steps to get your UAE salary certificate attested:

1. Document preparation: You will need the original salary certificate in English or Arabic, or an official translation of it. It must be signed by the issuing organization and must not be laminated.
2. Visit portal: Visit the MOFAIC website or smart app. Sign in using your UAE Pass.
3. Select the service: Under “Individual Services,” choose “Document Attestation”.
4. Choose the document type: You must select the type of document for which you are requesting attestation. In this case, it would be the salary certificate.
5. Choose a courier agent: Select from the available courier option for pickup and delivery of document.
6. Upload documents: Provide the requested details on the screen. Upload the required documents.
7. Pay the fee: The service fee is AED 150*. Payment can be made through eChannel payment, google pay, apple pay.
8. Hand over the document: Give the document to the selected courier agent.
9. Track your application: You will receive an SMS confirming the successful application. Your attested document will be delivered via courier.

You can contact customer happiness center should you need assistance.

Difference between salary slip and salary certificate

The terms salary slip and salary certificate are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between them. The difference between salary certificate and salary slip in UAE lies in their purpose and use:

Mistakes to avoid while obtaining salary certificate UAE

The details of a salary certificate Dubai are properly checked by the organization where it is submitted. Make sure you are not making these mistakes when getting one:

• Incorrect information: Make sure to double-check all the information that goes on the salary certificate.
• Last-minute request: You must request for salary certificate from HR at least one week before it needs to be submitted. This gives time for unexpected delays.
• Missing authorization: Never forget to have the signature and company office seal on the certificate. It is important for the validity of the document.
• Not using letterhead: The salary certificate must be printed only on the company’s official letterhead, not just any random paper.
• Wrong recipient details: Make sure you address the certificate to the correct recipient, whether it is a bank or a specific government department.
• Wrong salary information: It is important to mention the actual salary, not a false one. Misreporting can land you in trouble for deception.

Final thoughts!

For various legal and financial processes, a salary certificate may be required. That is why it is important to know how to secure it, what it should contain, and how to get it attested when needed. Whether you are applying for a loan, a visa, or renting or buying a property, having the right income documentation and employment proof helps things go smoothly.

This guide clearly mentions all the important aspects related to employee salary certificate in the UAE, and now that you have read it, you should feel confident in securing one.

Also, if you are running a business setup in Dubai or are planning to expand, you must know about the employment laws and how to issue salary certificate in UAE to your employees. This ensures you are always legally compliant.

Follow Dubiz Business Setup for more such information!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can an employer refuse to issue salary certificate to employee in UAE?

No, an employer cannot refuse employee’s request for a salary certificate. In case he does, employee has right to file complain against him with MoHRE.

2. What is the validity of salary certificate UAE?

There is no fixed validity of salary certificate in UAE. However, as rule of thumb, most organizations issue it for 30 days.

3. Is attestation required for UAE salary certificate?

Attestation is not always needed. However, for international use or in some instances, it may be required.

4. How much time does attestation process by MOFA take?

Getting the document attested by the MOFA usually takes 1 to 3 days.

5. Is additional attestation required for using the UAE salary certificate in overseas?

Yes, to use a salary certificate UAE outside the country, you must first get it attested by MOFA, and then by the UAE’s embassy or consulate in the destination country.

6. Are salary certificate and employment certificate UAE same?

While salary certificate and employment certificate UAE may refer to same document but at times it can be used in different context. An employment certificate typically confirms employment status of employee like current job title, duties. It may or may not include salary information. A salary certificate talks about salary and job as well.