Key takeaways
- Residence visa applicants aged 18 and over take the medical fitness test for a new visa and at each renewal.
- In Dubai, the test is a blood test and a chest X-ray at a Dubai Health medical fitness centre.
- Dubai Health's standard package is AED 270 with results in 24 working hours; faster packages cost AED 700 to AED 1,020.
- Federal rules screen applicants for HIV, pulmonary tuberculosis and leprosy, and some jobs also for hepatitis and syphilis.
- Steps, centres and fees differ by emirate: Dubai Health in Dubai, SEHA in Abu Dhabi and EHS in the other emirates.
Who needs a medical fitness test
Dubai Health says anyone applying for or renewing a UAE residence visa can use its medical fitness service, under Cabinet Resolution No. 75 of 2022. Dubai's government portal says applicants aged 18 and above must take the test. EHS sets the same age, and SEHA tests residents over 18.
That covers a new employment visa, a family visa for an adult family member, and every renewal. The federal rules carve out some cases. Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2008 excludes non-Emirati spouses, children and parents of UAE nationals from the fitness requirement, and some groups, including diplomatic staff, a resident's spouse, children and parents, and major investors recommended by the emirate's economic authority, can still be found fit for a first residence despite old or active tuberculosis, provided they're followed up under the preventive medicine treatment programme.
What the medical test checks, and what an unfit result means
DHA's Standards for Medical Fitness Centers describe the screening as a blood test and a chest X-ray. Dubai Health adds a health check and, for certain jobs, vaccinations. The diseases come from the federal rules:
| Condition | Who is screened | If the result is positive |
|---|---|---|
| HIV | All applicants, new and renewal | Residency isn't granted or renewed; the Minister or health authority head may make exceptions in specific cases |
| Pulmonary tuberculosis | All new applicants and all residents at renewal | New applicants are unfit; at renewal, a person under treatment follow-up can be found fit with a one-year certificate marked "subject to treatment" |
| Leprosy | All applicants, new and renewal | Residency isn't granted or renewed |
| Hepatitis B and C | Nannies, domestic workers, nursery and kindergarten supervisors, barbershop, salon and health club staff, and health facility staff | Residency isn't granted or renewed unless the purpose of the application changes within 30 days of notification; a negative result leads to a three-dose vaccination |
| Syphilis | The same job groups, except health staff working in health facilities | Treatment before the fitness certificate is issued |
| Pregnancy | Domestic workers, nannies, drivers and similar staff | The employer confirms the result in writing and decides whether she can keep working |
This is a summary of the rules, not medical advice. If you have a question about your own health or result, ask the centre's doctor.
How to do the medical fitness test in Dubai
- 1. Apply online. Submit the application through Dubai Health's Salem portal.
- 2. Prepare the documents. A completed registration form, your original valid Emirates ID or passport, a recent passport-size photo on a white background and a copy of your e-visa.
- 3. Visit a centre. Dubai Health lists 25 medical fitness centres, including Salem centres across the city and Smart Salem centres at City Walk, Index and Dubai Knowledge Park.
- 4. Take the tests. A health check, a blood sample and a chest X-ray, plus vaccinations for certain job categories.
- 5. Get the result. It arrives by SMS or email, and you can track it on Dubai Health's medical fitness check page. DHA's standards say SALEM is linked to GDRFA Dubai to submit the fit or unfit certificate for visa processing.
Since 17 February 2026, Dubai Health's Unified Health Screening combines residency medical fitness and occupational health screening in one automated application based on your profession, with all tests in one visit. It started at the Al Garhoud, Al Nahda, Al Karama, Al Yalayis, Bur Dubai, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Zabeel and Smart Salem centres, and more centres will follow. Dubai Media Office says residency is then issued automatically once the medical results are finalised.
Medical fitness test fees in Dubai
| Dubai Health package | Result time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Medical fitness examination (standard) | 24 working hours | AED 270 |
| Premium | 6 working hours | AED 700 |
| VIP | 2 working hours | AED 1,020 |
| Smart Salem centre | 30 minutes | AED 700 |
| Domestic workers (standard) | 24 working hours | AED 320 |
| Domestic workers (premium) | 6 working hours | AED 750 |
These are Dubai Health's prices at the time of writing, and it says it may change them. Domestic worker packages include an extra AED 50 for a pregnancy test. Dubai's Administrative Resolution No. 66 of 2021 set the same standard price of AED 270, including the Knowledge and Innovation Dirhams.
Abu Dhabi and the other emirates
Each emirate runs its own centres, so the steps and fees above apply to Dubai only.
- Abu Dhabi. SEHA's Disease Prevention and Screening Centres test residents over 18 who are getting or renewing a residence permit: a GP check, a blood test, a chest X-ray and, where needed, a hepatitis B vaccine. If your visa was issued in another emirate, SEHA also asks for a valid health card or health insurance card.
- Other emirates. The UAE government portal points to Emirates Health Services (EHS). EHS sets the test for applicants aged 18 and over, books appointments through UAE PASS and sends results by email and SMS within 24 hours. Companies with more than 10 workers need delegate cards.
EHS's service page lists AED 260 for employees and company workers, AED 310 for salon, spa, fitness club and healthcare workers and AED 360 for private drivers, nannies, housekeepers and nursery supervisors, plus service centre fees. Cabinet Resolution No. 4 of 2025, in force since 16 March 2025, sets the EHS examination fee at AED 250 per application. Go by the total EHS shows when you pay.
Renewal, certificate validity and how we help
You take the test again at each renewal: HIV, tuberculosis and leprosy screening apply when the residence is renewed, and people in the hepatitis job groups show their vaccination certificate or get vaccinated before renewal. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2008, the fitness certificate is valid for three months from its date of issue. Our residence visa renewal guide covers the rest of the steps.
The medical test isn't health insurance. Dubai's Law No. 11 of 2013 separately requires employers and sponsors to produce a health insurance policy when residence permits are issued or renewed.
As part of our employment and family visa services, we help book the medical appointment, prepare your documents and follow up the visa file. Start with the employment visa documents checklist. We don't give medical advice or promise results or timings: the medical centre and the immigration authority decide each case.
Sources
- Dubai Health: Medical Fitness Exam
- Dubai Health: medical fitness packages
- Dubai Health Authority: Standards for Medical Fitness Centers
- UAE Legislation: Cabinet Resolution No. 75 of 2022 amending Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2008 (Arabic)
- Government of Dubai: medical fitness for residence visa
- Dubai Media Office: Dubai Health launches Unified Health Screening
- Emirates Health Services: examination of medical fitness for residency visa
Official sources checked on 12 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.