UAE residence visa: Medical fitness test requirements explained

Dubai: Applying for your family’s UAE residence visa? If so, any family member who is above the age of 18 will need to undergo a medical fitness test, which is part of the UAE’s residence visa process.

But what is the medical fitness test and how can you apply for one? Here is all you need to know.

What is a medical fitness test?

According to the official UAE government website – u.ae – foreign nationals need to be free from all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and TB (Tuberculosis).

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In addition, the following categories of workers should test negative for syphilis and Hepatitis B:

• Workers in nurseries
• Domestic workers including housemaids, nannies and drivers
• Food handlers and workers in restaurants and cafes
• Workers in saloons and beauty centres
• Workers in health clubs

Female domestic workers must test negative for pregnancy.

The emirate of Abu Dhabi screens foreign nationals to detect pulmonary tuberculosis by a chest x-ray; however, the emirate of Dubai does not, according to u.ae.

A new Cabinet Resolution was passed in 2016. As per this resolution, all resident expatriates while renewing their residence visas have to undergo TB screening. Those found with scars or active TB or found having drug-resistant TB will be issued a conditional fitness certificate and be issued residence visa for one year. They will then have to undergo treatment in the UAE.

When do I need to do a medical fitness test?

Medical fitness tests are needed when applying for a new residence or employment visa or at the time of visa renewal. The medical fitness test is not required for residents who are under the age of 18.

Where can I get a medical fitness test done?

Once you have applied for your visa at an immigration customer happiness centre (Amer in Dubai or Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security – ICP – in other emirates), you will then need to take your medical fitness test.

Depending on which emirate you are applying in, the centre that you need to visit will be different.

Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, you will need to visit a Disease Prevention and Screening Centre. These are operated by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA). Here is a list of all the centres:

1. The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Location: Third floor, cinema side
Timings: Every day: 10am – 7pm (Last application is accepted at 6.30pm)

2. Abu Dhabi Disease Prevention and Screening Centre
Location: Hazza Bin Zayed Street, close to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 7pm (Last application is accepted at 6.30pm), Sunday: 8am – 5pm (Last application is accepted at 4.30pm)

3. Al Shahama
Location: Al Shahama healthcare centre, Al Sinad Street
Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

4. Baniyas
Location: Al Qadah Street, close to Lulu Hypermarket, Baniyas
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

5. Etihad
Location: Khalifa A, Etihad Plaza
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

6. Musaffah
Location: Street 28, Behind BMW Showroom, Musaffah
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 5pm (Last application is accepted at 4.30pm) and Sunday: 8am – 5pm (Last application is accepted at 4.30pm)

7. Al Ain Disease Prevention and Screening Centre
Location: Shakhboot Bin Sultan Street (#131), Opposite Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 5pm (Last application is accepted at 4.30pm) and Sunday: 8am – 5pm (Last application is accepted at 4.30pm)

8. Sweihan
Location: Next to Sweihan Clinic, Sweihan, Al Ain
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

9. Al Marfa
Location: Al Marfa Hospital Building, Al Marfa, Western Region
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

10. Madinat Zayed
Location: Old Hospital/ Hospital Street, Madinat Zayed, The Western Region
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

11. Delma
Location: Delma Hospital Building, Delma, Western Region
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

12. Sela
Location: Sela Hospital Building, Sela, Western Region
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

13. Ghayathi
Location: Old Hospital Building, Ghayathi, Western Region
Timings: Monday to Friday: 7am – 4pm (Last application is accepted at 3.30pm)

14. Mushrif Mall
Locaiton: Mushrif Mall, Third Floor, near the food court
Timings: Every day: 9am – 7pm (Last application is accepted at 6.30pm)

15. Al Wahda Mall
Location: Al Wahda Mall, Extension, Third floor, opposite the food court (Go for the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank parking)
Timings: Every day: 9am – 7pm (Last application is accepted at 6.30pm)

16. Al Nukhba
Location: Crystal Tower - Zayed 1st street - Al Khaldiya
Timings: Every day : 9am – 6pm (Last application is accepted at 5.30pm)

17. Top Prestige Prevention centre
Location: Street 14, M25, Mussafa
hTimings: Every day: 9am – 6pm (Last application is accepted at 5.30pm)

18. Al Qurm Centre
Location: First floor, Makani Mall, Al Shamkha
Timings: Sunday to Friday: 9am – 6pm (Last application is accepted at 5.30pm)

Cost:

The cost for a regular medical fitness test is Dh250 and you can book an appointment online, by visiting the website: visascreening.seha.ae

Dubai

In Dubai, you would need to visit a medical fitness centre operated by Dubai Health, which has over 20 centres spread across the emirate. You can select the medical fitness test centre that you prefer to visit when you are putting in the initial application fo your visa. You can select from the following centre locations:

Other emirates

If you are applying for a visa in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or Umm Al Quwain, you will need to visit a Medical Examination Centre operated by Emirates Health Services (EHS).

You can apply for the test online, through the following webpage: https://www.ehs.gov.ae/en/services/services-directory/examination-of-medical-fitness-for-residency-visa

The EHS centres are located across the UAE, and you can choose from any of the following centre locations:

• Al Nahda Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Dubai
• Ibn Battuta Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Dubai
• Dragon Mart Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Dubai
• Al Baraha Smart Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Dubai
• Sahara medical examination centre, Sharjah
• Al Khibrah Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Sharjah
• Al Taj Smart Medical Examination Centre, Sharjah
• Alshrooq Medical Examination Centre, Sharjah
• Waqa Medical Examination Centre, Sharjah
• Mushairif Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Ajman
• Al Nuaimiya Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Ajman
• Dahan Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Ras Al Khaimah
• Mina Tower Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Fujairah
• Al Amal Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Fujairah
• Almadar Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Umm Al Quwain

Cost:

Regular test: Dh250
Vaccination (if required): Dh50
Pregnancy test (if required): Dh50
Printing cost: Dh10

Once you have received your medical fitness test report, you can then proceed to complete your visa application process. To know more about the steps you need to take, read our detailed guide here.