Looking to relocate as a resident to the UAE? If so, in order to finish the visa application procedure, you would have to take a medical fitness exam. How can you apply for a medical fitness exam, however, and what is it like? Here is everything you require to know.
What is a medical fitness test?
Foreign nationals must be free of all sorts of communicable diseases, such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and TB, according to the official UAE government website, u.ae (Tuberculosis).
Additionally, tests for syphilis and Hepatitis B should be negative in the following workforce categories:
- Workers in nurseries
- Domestic employees such as nannies, housemaids, and drivers
- Employees who handle food in cafes and restaurants
- Employees at beauty salons and saloons
- Personnel at health clubs
- Pregnancy tests for female domestic employees must come back negative.
According to u.ae, the emirate of Dubai does not screen foreign nationals for pulmonary tuberculosis using a chest x-ray while the emirate of Abu Dhabi does.
In 2016, a fresh Cabinet Resolution was adopted. According to this decision, all resident expatriates must get a TB test done upon renewing their residence visas. A conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence permit will be given to anyone discovered to have scars, active TB, or drug-resistant TB. They will then need to receive medical attention in the UAE.
Also read: Checking your medical insurance status through your Emirates ID
When does one need to do a medical fitness test?
When applying for a new resident or employment visa or when renewing an existing visa, medical fitness exams are required. Residents under 18 are exempt from taking the medical fitness test.
Where can one get a medical fitness test done?
Depending on the Emirate that issued your visa, you may need to see one of the following health agencies in the UAE:
- Abu Dhabi – Disease Prevention and Screening Centre, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA)
- Dubai – Medical Fitness Centres, Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
- Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain – Medical Examination Centres, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)
You must do your medical fitness test after applying for your visa at an immigration customer happiness center (Amer in Dubai or Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship – ICP – in other Emirates).
Documents required
Take the following documents with you when you go for your medical fitness test:
– Copy of the entry permit (for a new visa) or copy of the residence visa (for visa renewal)
– Original passport
– Original Emirates ID (for visa renewal)
– Clear photograph
– A mobile number and email.
Medical fitness test in Abu Dhabi
In order to make it simpler for applicants to make a reservation at any of the 12 Disease Prevention and Screening Centres dispersed throughout Abu Dhabi, Seha earlier this year introduced the SEHA Visa Screening app. Here’s how to use the app to schedule an appointment:
- Get the “Seha Visa Screening” app, which is compatible with Apple and Android smartphones.
- Open the application and register with your email address, Emirates ID, and mobile number. A username and password must be chosen as well.
- A one-time password will be sent to you through email and SMS.
- Type in these two passwords.
- Following that, you will be prompted to upload a copy of your passport and visa page.
- After signing up, log in with your username and password.
- Press the ‘Request appointment’ button.
- Choose between Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra as the region of the emirate where you now reside.
- Make your pick for the registration center.
- After that, enter your UID.
- Next, choose the appointment’s time and date from the available options.
- You will receive an SMS and an app confirmation of the appointment once you have successfully made a booking.
Green Pass needed
You must make sure that your Green Pass is active on the Al Hosn app at the time of the appointment once you have scheduled one because you will need it to enter the building. This implies that if you are fully immunized (including having gotten the booster dosage if you are qualified for it), you must obtain a PCR test within 15 days of your visit. If you are not fully immunized, you must get one within two days of your appointment.
Medical fitness test cost:
Dh250 for a regular application.
Results within 48 hours or earlier if you receive an SMS.
Medical fitness test in Dubai
Step 1: Fill out your medical fitness test application form
To submit an application, you must first go to a medical fitness typing center in Dubai that has been certified by the DHA. By using the techniques below, you can locate a DHA-approved medical fitness typing center nearby:
- Visit dha.gov.ae
- Select “DHA Facilities” from the menu on the right side.
- Select “Medical Fitness and Occupational Health Screening” from the menu.
- To discover one near you, click on “DHA Approved Medical Fitness Typing Centers” in the dropdown menu.
- Fill out the application form in person at the typing center with the necessary documentation.
Step 2: Make payment
You would have to pay for the test when submitting your application. You can pay for premium service if you want your test results sooner.
Medical fitness test cost
Regular – Dh250
Regular test for household, domestic servants (24 Working Hours) – Dh300
Step 3: Get the medical fitness test
After completing the application, you must locate a local medical fitness testing facility. To do that, go to the same website where you located the typing centers and search for “medical fitness centers.”
Necessary, you would need to attend the center with the following paperwork:
– A valid copy of your passport, the original, or an identification card (mandatory)
– A copy of the identification card
– Email and mobile phone numbers
– Clear photograph
– A change status paper must be presented in the event of a visa change.
Within 24 hours of finishing the exam, you will get the results.
DHA advises that you return to the medical fitness center if you have not received your medical fitness certificate after five working days.
The Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine, which costs Dh40 and is additionally necessary for the Medical Fitness exam, is needed for the following categories:
- Nannies
- Housemaids or similar categories
- Nursery and Kindergarten supervisors
- Workers in hairdresser salons, beauty centers, and health clubs
- Workers in food handling, processing, and food control authorities
- Workers in cafeterias and restaurants
Other Emirates
You must go to a medical examination center run by MOHAP in order to obtain a visa issued in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain.
To find a medical exam center near you, visit https://mohap.gov.ae/en/services/medical-examination-for-residency
The following papers must be brought with you:
- Valid Passport Copy.
- Valid Residence Permit/Visa Copy.
- Two passport-sized photographs with white backgrounds.
- Valid Emirates ID copy (only for the renewal of residence visa)
Fill out the application form and pay for the medical fitness test at the center.
Within 48 hours of finishing the exam, you will get the results.
Medical fitness test cost
– All Categories (excluding vaccination and female household domestic service) – Dh260
– All Categories (including vaccination) – Dh310
– Female HouseHold Domestic Service – Dh360
Once you have received your medical fitness test report, you can then proceed to complete your visa application process.