Medical Fitness Test in the UAE

Getting your work or resident visa in the UAE is a rather extensive process. The UAE government requires you to undergo multiple screenings and tests to ensure the maximum safety of the residents. One of these tests is the medical fitness test that each foreign resident of the UAE older than 18 years of age shall pass in order to get their visa. 

This test contains a series of screenings to ensure that visa applicants are free from all kinds of communicable diseases. In this article, we will cover all the key details of the medical fitness test UAE including the application process, the documents required, the applicable fee, and more. 

What is a Medical Fitness Test?

The medical fitness test UAE is a routine health test required for all UAE expats to prove they are free from all contagious diseases and are overall healthy. The communicable and contagious diseases tested for in a medical fitness test may include diseases like Tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and so on. 

Apart from that, workers from certain professions and categories must also test negative for Hepatitis B and Syphilis. These categories are – 

• Domestic workers like nannies, housemaids, and so forth – female domestic workers must also test negative for pregnancy
• Professionals working in nurseries
• Workers in the food and beverage industry especially workers that directly handle edibles
• Salon professionals and beauty centre workers 
• Health club professionals

When Is a Medical Fitness Test Required?

Foreign residents of the UAE, i.e., expats are required to take a medical fitness test UAE when they apply for a new resident visa in the UAE or a work permit. The medical fitness test UAE is also necessary when expats apply to get their visas renewed. Keep in mind that this test is only mandatory for expats older than 18 years of age.

The medical fitness test is required to be taken after you have successfully submitted the visa application at the immigration centres in the UAE. You will receive a receipt for application submission and payment of the due fee which can be used to get an appointment at the medical fitness test centres in your emirate. 

Additionally, all expats applying for renewal of their visa must go through a mandatory TB screening. If an expat is diagnosed with scarred tissue or has active/drug-resistant TB, they will only receive a conditional fitness certificate. This medical fitness certificate will be valid to get a resident visa with one-year validity. 

Upon receiving the new visa, the concerned expat will undergo TB treatment in the emirates. These are the guidelines issued in the latest Cabinet Resolution passed in 2016. 

Where Can You Get a Medical Fitness Test Done in the UAE?

Medical fitness tests can be conducted by the concerned health authorities in the UAE. The health authorities you can visit for the test, however, may differ as per your emirate. Given below is an overview of the health authorities where you can get your medical fitness test done as per your emirate – 

• Dubai: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Medical Fitness Test Centres 
• Abu Dhabi: Disease Prevention and Screening Centres of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) 
• Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah): Medical Examination Centres governed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) 

How to Apply for Medical Fitness Test in Dubai?

Here are the steps to be followed to take a medical fitness test Dubai – 

Step 1: Fill Out the Form 

In the quest of how to apply for a medical fitness test for visa renewal in Dubai, the first step is to fill out the application form which can be obtained from a nearby typing centre approved by the DHA. You can find your nearest typing centres using the official website of the DHA. Take all the required documents with you when visiting the typing centre to fill out the form. 

Step 2: Pay the Fee

After filling out the form, visit the designated counter to pay the due fee for the medical fitness test Dubai. The medical fitness test centre will also give you the option to get your test results sooner than the standard time limit, although you would need to pay an additional fee to utilise the premium service. 

Step 3: Take the Test 

Once you complete all the application formalities, find a medical fitness test centre near you and get your medical fitness test Dubai done. You can search for a nearby medical fitness test centre on the DHA website. 

Step 4: Get the Report 

The final step is to collect the reports of your medical fitness test Dubai. The reports are released within 24 hours with standard speed tests. The test results can be obtained earlier, as mentioned earlier, if you opt for the premium services. If you do not receive the medical fitness test reports within a maximum of 5 days, visit the test centres once again to get things sorted and receive an update. 

Documents Required for Medical Fitness Test Dubai

Listed below are the documents required for getting a medical fitness test for visa renewal in Dubai – 

• Original Emirates ID
• Original passport
• Copy of the entry permit for new visa applications
• Copy of current visa for renewals 
• Photographs
• Personal email and phone number

How to Get a Medical Fitness Test in Other Emirates?

Follow the below-given steps to get your medical fitness test UAE done in emirates other than Abu Dhabi and Dubai – 

Step 1: Find a Nearby Test Centre

Make arrangements to visit a medical fitness test centre operated by MOHAP to get fitness tests for visas issued in Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah. You can find a fitness test centre nearby using the MOHAP application or website. 

Step 2: Visit the Test Centre for the Test 

Take all the necessary documents and visit the test centre you have chosen. Fill out the application form to get the test and submit the due fee. Get the test done and wait for the reports. 

Step 3: Obtain the Report

The test results are generally sent within 48 hours of the test. You can visit the test centre once again in case of any discrepancies.                     

Documents Required for Medical Fitness Test UAE in Northern Emirates

• A copy of Emirates ID (for visa renewal only)
• A copy of the passport 
• A copy of the entry permit or current resident visa
• Two photographs – passport-sized with white background 

Cost of Medical Fitness Tests in UAE

Given below are the fees applicable for medical fitness test UAE in different emirates – 

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