At Dubiz, we understand the complexities & challenges of establishing a business in UAE’s evolving landscape. Our suite of expert business setup services is specially designed to support your venture at every stage, from inception to expansion.
Mod-friday, 10AM -06PM
It’s 2025, and the popularity of Dubai as one of the top destinations to live, work and thrive is ever increasing. Countless people across the world are already planning to move to Dubai, whether it is for amazing business and job prospects or to reunite with loved ones. However, there are various formalities involved in obtaining residency along with stringent health protocols and standards of UAE, that they must be aware of. For instance, expatriates seeking residence in the UAE must mandatorily obtain a DHA medical fitness certificate.
Having good health is one of the key essentials for obtaining UAE residency, which is verified through passing a medical fitness test and receiving the certificate. To provide you with detailed information about the DHA medical certificate, such as its process, requirements, etc., here is an expert blog. After going through the blog, you would be ready to move to Dubai smoothly.
DHA, which is Dubai Healthcare Authority, is a government body in Dubai who works towards providing an accessible and effective healthcare system in Dubai and aims to protect the public health and improvise the quality of life there. The authority is also responsible for issuing the DHA license and medical fitness certificates in Dubai.
A DHA medical fitness certificate Dubai is an official document issued by Dubai Healthcare Authority (DHA) that confirms the fit health of individuals after they pass certain assessments. It is essential for those who are looking to secure residency or work permit in the Emirate or those who need to renew their residency or work permits.
Essentially, it verifies that individual meets the health standards set by DHA and they are heath wise fit to live and work in Dubai. The certificate is issued after the individual successfully passes the medical screening and tests in the UAE which is conducted as DHA approved health centers.
DHA medical fitness certificate is a crucial part of visa and work permit processing in Dubai. Whether it is about getting new residence visa or work permit in Dubai, or renewing the existing ones, a DHA medical certification needs to be obtained in each case. The certificate confirms that the holder is free from any communicable disease or health issue and would not put the public health of the nation in danger or risk in any way.
Basically, authorities want to make sure of you are medically fit for living or continuing your stay in Dubai and DHA health certificate stands as a testament to it.
Here are the types of DHA health fitness certificates based on the category of individuals and the purpose for which they need it:
Those who want to live in Dubai and get the residency visa will have to obtain the DHA certificate for their medical fitness. It is an important element of visa processing in Dubai.
Many individuals seek employment in Dubai for better opportunities. In doing so, they must obtain the DHA health fitness certificate because both the Dubai employment visa and work permits require passing the DHA medical certification tests.
In Dubai, residence visa holders can bring their families and dependents to Dubai by obtaining family visas for them. Again, family members must get the medical fitness certificate Dubai to confirm their health fitness.
To continue staying in Dubai, visa holders must get their UAE visa renewal done on time. To confirm that they are fit to continue their stay in Dubai, they will need to obtain the DHA medical fitness report.
There may be special cases where a DHA fitness certificate is required, such as for education, investment, etc., in the city.
These are the general categories of DHA medical certificates, and DHA has set forth the required documents and requirements for each. It is important to understand these different categories first so that you know which one you should apply for. That way, you can ensure there are no delays or cancellations in your application process.
Before we dive into the process, lets first have a look on the different types of medical evaluations and screening that are there in place. The types of tests that one needs to pass will depend on the category under which he or she is applying,
This includes a complete evaluation of general health and fitness of an individual and their quality of life.
Diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis, etc., need to be assessed and checked through blood tests.
To detect the presence of various health conditions, screening tests like X-rays or ultrasounds are also conducted. For example, chest X-rays evaluate the health of an individual’s respiratory system.
Test like pregnancy tests, are meant for females who may be applying for jobs in Dubai to assess their health conditions that could impact working conditions for them.
The procedure to obtain the DHA health fitness certificate has been made very easy as the applicants can apply for one online using the DHA online portal or the app. This makes the certificate available at one’s fingertips. Here is how to get a DHA medical fitness certificate online in Dubai:
To facilitate the online application process, DHA lets you apply for medical fitness certificate through its website as well as smart app.
If you are a first-time user, you would need to register using your Emirates ID or email address. Or you can simply login as an existing user.
Find and select the option for “medical fitness certificate” service on the website or app’s dashboard.
Enter your personal details and upload the scanned copies of documents such as passport, visa copy, recent photograph.
On the portal you will get the option to locate the nearby DHA approved medical centers available. You can choose the most nearby to you and choose time for your medical evaluation as per your convenience.
Make the payment for application using the credit card or the mode of payment allowed by the portal.
On the date of appointment, visit the test center along with the form and other documents and get the necessary screenings done.
Till you await your DHA medical result you can check the status of your application online.
Once ready, you could see your DHA medical fitness result online and print your DHA medical certificate through the portal or app. The certificate confirms your health and eligibility for residence visa or work permit, whatever you need is.
Typing centers are government-authorized facilities that can assist individuals with the DHA medical certificate application process. Simply, one can visit one of the typing centers to initiate the process.
Here are the conditions where a typing center would be a better choice for you:
Also, tests are generally available within 24 hours. If it has been more than 5 working days and you have not received your medical certificate, you may contact the typing center.
To obtain the DHA medical fitness certificate, you must submit the following documents along with the application:
There may be additional documents that may be needed for specific professions or categories of applicants. Make sure your application is complete and accurate to avoid delays and cancellations. You can check DHA’s official website for latest information.
The standard fee for the DHA medical fitness test is AED 250*. However, the cost of obtaining the DHA medical certificate varies significantly depending on the category you are applying under. For some visa categories, you may need to get additional vaccinations, which could increase the cost.
It also depends on whether you are applying through VIP or Express services, where tests are received within 2 to 6 hours respectively, or the standard medical fitness test service, which takes up to 24 hours.
Here are the charges for medical fitness screening at the DHA:
Find more information here.
Payments for the DHA medical report can be made at the test centers or through the DHA smart portals as well. At typing centers or DHA-approved health centers, you can pay in cash. Whereas the online portals allow you to pay through credit/debit cards and other online options.
You can check the status of your DHA medical report online through the DHA smart app. Here are the steps you must follow:
Having such a convenient service online helps you keep track of your DHA application status in real time and take action as needed at the right time.
Once you receive your medical certificate, analyze it properly. It is not just a certificate but contains essential information that you must know. It will include:
Here are some difficulties that one may face during application for medical fitness certificate in Dubai along with the steps one should take to overcome them:
1. Delays in results: Sometimes there can be delays in receiving the medical results due to incomplete documentation. Therefore, be sure you upload the correct and complete documentation asked for.
2. Language barriers: Individuals may not be aware with the English or Arabic language supported on online portal. In such situations, they can make the application for fitness reports at the DHA approved typing centers where staff can assist them.
3. Payment failure: Due to technical issues or wrong details, payments may fail. You should enter the payment details correctly, check them twice and retry. If it still does not work, use alternative method for paying.
4. Error in reports: The medical certificate may have errors such as spelling mistakes or incorrect details. In that case you must contact the DHA and get it rectified.
Whether you are seeking residency in Dubai or employment, obtaining the DHA medical fitness report is a crucial step. You must be well-versed in its categories, the application process, and how much it will cost you. This guide provides you with an overview of all these essential details that you must know so that your application goes smoothly and you can start your prosperous life in the Emirate.
If you are looking to set up a business in Dubai, we would like to inform you that our exclusive packages offer medical test assistance along with essential business setup services in Dubai, such as trade licensing, office space solutions, visa processing, and more.
Therefore, if you are an entrepreneur who wants to register company in Dubai, let us know how Dubiz Business Setup can help you.
📞 Call: +971 56 369 5485
💬 WhatsApp: +971563695485
📧 Email: info@dubiz.co
Expats need to secure medical fitness certificate from DHA approved medical center to obtain a work permit or residency visa or for renewal of these. This makes sure they are free from any communicable disease that could pose threat to Emirate’s community.
DHA medical test assesses an individual’s general and specific heath conditions. General blood tests are performed to check the presence of communicable diseases like HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis. Along with that, chest x-rays are also performed to check respiratory health.
For DHA medical fitness certificate download, you can simply log in into the DHA smart app and look for Medical Fitness Services. There you will get an option to View your medical Report.
It usually takes around 24 hours from completion of necessary screenings to get the medical fitness report from DHA. If it takes more than 5 working days, it is better to contact the authority.
Dubai Health Authority app is a digital platform offered by DHA that offers various services such as managing appointments, checking the medical fitness application status, downloading the fitness report and much more.
You can get all information pertaining to DHA health fitness services through following means:
Stay Updated With
Stay updated on latest insights and trends about business formation in Dubai through our expert articles. Find out what’s new in UAE’s vibrant business landscape.