Salary Certificate in the UAE | Formats, Uses, Samples, and How to Get One

A salary certificate is essential in the UAE for bank applications, visas, rentals, and proof of income. Understand the correct format, required details, sample wording, and the steps to request one smoothly from your employer.

Introduction

In the UAE, salary certificates are among the highly demanded employment documents. One usually has to present an income certificate, be it for bank loan applications, opening a new bank account, sponsoring family visas, or even renting a house. Thus, many employees search for various types of salary certificate formats, where the salary certificate can be obtained, or how to prepare a salary certificate sample that is acceptable to UAE employers and banks.

This guide will explain salary certificates, the working mechanism in the UAE, correct certification formats, steps to request one from an employer, and more.

1. What a Salary Certificate Actually Is

A salary certificate is an official letter from the employer stating that an employee holds an identifiable position, enjoys a particular employment status, and receives an identifiable total salary. The salary certificate of its own is usually signed by the HR department, Finance department, or a competent company representative.

In the UAE, a salary certificate is widely required for:

• Bank account openings
• Loan approvals (personal, auto, home loans)
• Credit card applications
• Tenancy contracts
• Visa applications and sponsorship requests
• Government services
• Proof of income for travel, education, or guarantees

Different from the informal letters, a salary certificate is required to be regulated, printed on the company letterhead, with wide margins, and stamped. The most critical thing is that descriptions for salary are ample for verification.

2. Salary Certificate Format in the UAE

Salary certificate formats in the UAE may allow some degree of customisation by each company; however, the basic fields generally remain the same:

Employee Information

• Full name
• Nationality
• Passport number / Emirates ID
• Job title
• Employment type (permanent / contract)
• Date of joining

Salary Details

• Basic salary
• Allowances (housing, transport, other)
• Total gross salary
• Any deductions or liabilities (if required by a bank)

Employer Details

• Company name
• Company address
• Contact information
• Name and designation of authorised signatory
• Signature and official company stamp

Depending on whether the certificate is addressed to “To Whom It May Concern” or to a particular bank, the banks sometimes require minute wording changes.

3. Salary Certificate Sample (Text Template)

Here is a simple salary certificate sample for UAE employees to use as a reference:

SALARY CERTIFICATE

Date: ___________

To Whom It May Concern,

This is to certify that [Employee Name] is the holder of Passport No. [XXXXXX] and Emirates ID [XXXXXXXX] are employed with [Company Name] as [Job Title] since [Date of Joining] on a full-time basis.

The employee’s monthly salary is as follows:

• Basic Salary: AED ______
• Housing Allowance: AED ______
• Transport Allowance: AED ______
• Other Allowances: AED ______
• Total Monthly Salary: AED ______

This certificate has been issued upon the employee’s request and shall be without any liability on the part of the company.

Sincerely,

[Name of HR/Authorised Signatory]

[Designation]

[Company Stamp]

You may slightly modify the wording according to the respective bank, embassy, or government authority it is needed for.

4. Salary Certificate PDF and Templates

The PDF version of a salary certificate is mainly sought after by employees for these reasons:

• Easy to print
• Easy to submit to banks
• Accepted by most government and private institutions
• Suitable for digital applications

Some banks need a stamped PDF; others accept a digital signature, but only if it contains a valid company QR code.

Companies can also provide templates that employees download from their HR portals to quickly raise a request for certificates.

5. How to Get a Salary Certificate in the UAE

Getting a salary certificate is usually straightforward. The steps include:

1. Requesting through HR – Employees mostly send their requests through emails or online request forms established by the company.
2. Processing time – Standard processing is 1-3 working days.
3. Cost – Most employers in the UAE issue salary certificates for free, but a few charge a token amount.
4. Special wording – Provide your purpose in advance (bank, visa, tenancy), so that the HR can customize the certificate in case of any need.

In case your company denies issuing a salary certificate, you can obtain a salary slip or an employment letter instead, but a salary certificate will be mostly preferred by the banks.

6. How to Get a Salary Certificate for Bank Use

Sometimes, the bank insists that the certificate include additional items:

• Specific bank name in salutation
• “Without liability” or “With liability” wording
• Detailed breakdown of salary
• Employment status confirmation

If it is for a loan or credit card application, then the bank may also ask for a salary transfer certificate clearly stating that your salary will be credited to their bank.

This is different from the general salary certificate, so make sure you clarify the requirements before requesting one.

7. Salary Certificate vs. Salary Slip (What’s the Difference?)

Employees usually confuse the salary certificate with a salary slip that a UAE employer issues every month. The documents serve different purposes:

Salary Slip

• Monthly documentation
• Indicates the exact salary breakup for that month
• Goes in the HR records and payroll transparency

Salary Certificate

• On-demand requirement
• Confirms employment and fixed total salary
• Required for loan, visa, and rental applications

Banks usually do not accept salary slips since they don’t confirm the job status or employment duration.

8. FAQs

1. What is a salary certificate?

It is an official document, prepared by your employer, confirming your job title, employment status, and total salary.

2. How to get a salary certificate?

Generally, you have to request it through HR or the employer portal. Most companies will process it within a few days.

3. How to get a salary certificate in the UAE, specifically?

The same applies, but UAE institutions often require a stamped one and a breakdown of the salary.

4. Does it need attestation?

For most local usages, it is not required. Some embassies may ask for it for visa processing.

5. What if a company refuses to issue it?

Generally, an employer is expected to issue at least a standard employment certificate. If your employers fail to refuse this, get a salary slip or escalate to HR management.

Conclusion

A salary certificate is an important document required in banking, obtaining a visa, tenancy, etc., and for any financial agreement in the UAE. Knowing the proper format will save you trouble when issuing a request, and knowing the difference between a salary certificate and a salary slip. Need a customized salary certificate template or PDF? Contact us, and we will get going on your request!