University admissions: Health check now mandatory for grade 12 students in UAE

Abu Dhabi: Grade 12 students across the UAE are preparing to obtain the mandatory medical fitness certificate required for admission to universities both locally and abroad.

The University Medical Fitness Examination service allows students applying to institutions within the UAE or on international scholarship programmes to request a medical fitness certificate following a medical assessment that includes risk evaluation and various laboratory tests.

For students opting for the express medical check-up, results are available within 24 hours, while standard test results are typically issued within 48 hours.

The Emirates Health Services (EHS) has announced the availability of University Medical Fitness Examination services at 41 primary healthcare centres across six emirates—from Dubai to Fujairah. The service is specifically designed for students enrolling in universities within the UAE or through overseas scholarship programmes. It enables them to obtain the required medical fitness certificate after completing a health check-up, which includes risk assessment and laboratory investigations.

University Medical Fitness Examinations are a prerequisite for admission to several universities, especially for first-time enrollees. These evaluations aim to confirm that students are in sound health and capable of participating in academic activities without medical conditions that might hinder their performance or pose health risks.

Moreover, these examinations play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of infectious diseases within university campuses. They also help identify students who may require special medical attention or academic accommodations, thereby contributing to the enforcement of health and safety standards across higher education institutions.

According to the Emirates Health Services website, the centers offering this service include 3 in Dubai, 15 in Sharjah, 4 in Ajman, 4 in Umm Al Quwain, 7 in Ras Al Khaimah, and 8 in Fujairah.

EHS explained that students can apply for the service via the Emirates Health Services website or its smart application (EHS App). Access to the service is granted using the UAE Pass (Digital ID linked to a valid Emirates ID). Applicants must fill in their medical history via the digital platform, as paper forms or manual applications are not accepted at the health centers.

Once the application and medical history are submitted, payment is processed through the EHS app or website. The service is offered for a fixed fee of Dh250, applicable to all students requesting this service. The next step involves booking the earliest available appointment at a suitable health center, after which the student visits the laboratory at the center to complete the required medical tests. This enables them to request and receive the medical fitness certificate.

To obtain the medical fitness certificate required for university admission, EHS clarified that students intending to enroll in universities either in the UAE or through international scholarship programs must follow a few simple steps:

After submitting the application, students must visit one of the authorized primary healthcare centers to undergo the necessary medical and laboratory tests, including a health risk assessment tailored to their condition. The medical fitness certificate is then issued electronically and sent to the student’s account on the EHS platform within a maximum of three working days.

This service also enables expatriates residing in the UAE to obtain a health fitness certificate for residency purposes. The certificate confirms that the individual is free from communicable and infectious diseases, allowing them to obtain or renew their residence permit by visiting a designated medical fitness or public health center.

The standard medical fitness test for visa purposes includes screening for infectious diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV, leprosy, syphilis, and tuberculosis. This is done to protect public health. The process includes:

According to the Ministry of Health’s Medical Fitness Department, individuals diagnosed with infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis are not eligible for a medical fitness certificate and thus cannot obtain residency in the UAE. Those diagnosed with such conditions are repatriated due to their ineligibility to receive a medical fitness certificate.