Saudi Arabia imposes SR100,000 fine and jail time for issuing fake sick leave reports

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has warned that submitting or issuing fake sick leave reports is a criminal offence, punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of SR100,000 ($26,600).

The warning comes amid growing concern over social media accounts promoting unauthorised medical leave services. The ministry urged the public to avoid such platforms, calling them illegal and subject to prosecution.

“Only the Sehhaty platform is authorized to issue official sick leave reports,” the ministry said in a statement. “Any report obtained through other means is considered invalid and subject to legal action.”

To curb abuse, health authorities have introduced a digital monitoring system that cross-checks medical leave reports with patients’ health records. The move aims to reinforce compliance and detect fraudulent claims in real time.

The ministry also advised healthcare professionals of their ethical and legal obligations, warning that doctors who issue sick leave without medical justification could face disciplinary and legal consequences.