UAE: Curiosity – Medical Check Must Be Completed in the UAE
Despite media reports, foreigners cannot complete their medical screenings in the country of origin
The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai has confirmed that medical exams for UAE residency visa applicants must be completed only in the UAE.
In February 2011, Emirati media reported that while reviewing the federal law on the regulation of medical products, pharmacy profession and pharmacies, the UAE Health Council discussed proposal for foreign workers to have medical check-up completed in the country of their origin before arriving in the UAE.
Authorities, however, refused to confirm the information, instead stating that as per current legislation, foreign nationals applying for residency visas must complete their medical checks after arrival to the UAE.
Presently it is required that foreigners must take a blood test and chest x-ray in an approved hospital or clinic. In free zones, appointments are arranged through the zone authority. Employees of private companies, registered with the Ministry of Labor (outside of free zones), should obtain medical fitness request either online or at a typing center. Currently, testing positive for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis or syphilis will result in deportation.
Our articles are for informational purposes only. Should you have any further questions regarding matters related to business immigration to the UAE, please feel free to contact your global Move One immigration specialist, or send an e-mail to immigration@moveoneinc.com .
No related posts.
Hi,
I’ve come across an article, stating that the Hepatitis and tuberculosis are no longer deportable offences in the UAE except for a category of workers. Is it true? Can you please clarify me on this? I was found positive for acute lung problems during my visa process, and sent back to my country 4 years back.
Thanks & Regards,
Anandan.S
Chennai, India.
Dear Anandan,
In order to obtain a residency permit a standard blood test is done to test for HIV and a chest x-ray is done to test for Tuberculosis.
Hepatitis B and Syphilis tests will also be required, but only for these job categories: domestic worker, private driver, nursery staff, food handler, beauty parlor staff, health club staff and medical fitness staff.
Should your profession fall under any of the above categories, you will be tested for Hepatitis B and Syphilis and will be sent back to your home country, if found positive.
Hope this helped,
Zsuzsanna
Good Day!!!
Im just want to ask if i can work in U.A.E cause years ago i have lung problems but its completely healed for about years and not contagious prof. doctors already approved my working but it leave a little scar in my chest as a result in taking medicines but the fact is i’m completely healed…
Thanks …
Dear Windy,
In case your your blood test and chest x-ray does not show any infectious diseases, you should be able to continue with your residency permit application.
Hope this helped,
Zsuzsanna
is this true?
Hello Alex,
Yes we believe it is.
Kind Regards
Camilla
i was patient of Hepatitis C then i got cured 6yeras back, now my ANTI HCV is positive and HCV RNA is negitive whcih means that virus is deactivated and cured and can’t be transfered to any body through various means.
i got a job in Dubai and i am Engineer by profession. plz let me know is there any problem
Thanks
Dear Usman,
You will have to complete medical checks after you arrive to the UAE. In case your tests confirm that you are free of infectious diseases, you should be able to continue with your residency permit application. Please get in touch with your sponsor in Dubai to discuss your specific case.
Regards,
Zsuzsanna
but according to my knowledge. HCV is not checke din dubai for residency visa. they check HBv only. plz clarify
Regards;
Usman
Hi Usman,
That is correct, Hepatitis C test is not part of a standard medical check.
Zsuzsanna
I am the same case as you.
HCV-ab possitive but RNA negative/
I wonder whether it is fine to get uae visa?
If possible , could you send a email tell me.
many many many thanks.
sincerely
my email box: jeffreycong0124@126.com
Hello Jeffrey,
An email response is being sent to the provided email address.
Kind Regards
Camilla
Is herpes tested for a residence visa?
Hi Ash,
No, a herpes test is not part of a standard medical check.
Zsuzsanna
Dear
I am interested about the information that I have read that there are categories for different medical tests – for Hepatitis B: Tested for only six categories of workers¹ for new visa and maybe visa renewals.Are that categories only:babysitters, housemaids, nursery and kindergarten employees, employees at barber shops, health clubs and restaurants.
does the test of hepatitis B includes construction and architect engineers? My friend should get the job soon , so we need the answer.
Best regards
Dear
I am interested about the information that I have read that there are categories for different medical tests – for Hepatitis B: Tested for only six categories of workers¹ for new visa and maybe visa renewals.Are that categories only:babysitters, housemaids, nursery and kindergarten employees, employees at barber shops, health clubs and restaurants.
does the test of hepatitis B includes construction and architect engineers? and if it incluedes, what will happen if the result of hepatitis B is positiv?
My friend should get the job soon , so we need the quick answer.
Best regards
Hi Neba,
The answer to your question would be no. Generally, a Hepatitis B test is not part of the standard medical check for engineer positions.
Zsuzsanna
i am coming to work in abhdhabi soon for security guard.i have little scar in my lungs but it is not disease and i am also the patient of diabetes’ can i am alllowed to work in uae
……
My wife has a scar in the lung since childhood …..she has got her qatar residence visa …but now we are moving to abu dhabi ….will she clear her xray in abu dhabi or will she be banned ,,,,she is on a house wife visa.
aprreciate your help.
Hello,
If her tests confirm that she is free of infectious diseases, she should be able to continue with her visa application.
Best Regards,
Camilla
Hi,I am a consultant been working in Oman and Bahrain for 4 years and recently joined a company in Abu Dhabi.In my medical test minor scar was detected in my x-ray.My sputum test was negative for any infection but still they gave me unfit certificate.Is there anything I can do about it?
Hi Gina,
If a scar is detected in an x-ray, the following additional tests are used for a diagnosis: a sputum test, a tuberculin skin test (TST) and a Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA).
Regardless of a negative sputum test, if your TST sensitivity is larger than 15mm and/or your IGRA is positive, you are diagnosed with so called latent tuberculosis infection and deemed medically unfit.
Please check your medical results whether this is what happened in your case.
The procedure requires 3 radiologists to look at your results before determining you medically unfit, therefore making an appeal to retake the tests may be problematic.
However, you can try contacting Health Authority – Abu Dhabi for help:
Phone: +971 2 449 3333
E-Mail: healthcenter@haad.ae
Website: http://www.haad.ae
Thanks
Camilla
Hi, I would like to get to know if acyclovir (antiviral) is a legal drug in UAE? Thank you for the information
Anna
Hello Anna,
Thanks for commenting however we cannot assist on medical questions.
Please try contacting the Ministry of Health of the UAE http://www.moh.gov.ae/en/Pages/Contactus.aspx who should be able to answer your question for you.
Thank you
Camilla
Hi, My husband is changing his job in Dubai. He went through a pre employment medical test and his Fasting Blood Sugar count is 125 (normal range is 70-100) Will this affect to his residence visa process?
Hello Rushi,
High blood sugar in itself is not an obstacle to receiving a residence permit.
Kind Regards
Camilla
Hi
Last month I made medical check up .At result,HIV(Negative),HCV,HPV(Negative).
No disease found at lung .But Last two years ,I underwent aortic valve replacement on 10/06/2009 .Now I take medicine regularly.I can do job normally.I would like to know can I do as drafter Engineer at UAE,Dubai. And Can I pass medical examination?
Now heart is enlarge than normal because operation done is no longer.
Unfortunately we do not know enough about your medical condition to advise you. Please contact the Dubai Health Authority on their toll free number: 800342 (800 DHA), or by email at regulation@dha.gov.ae.
Your sponsoring company in Dubai should also be able to assist you.
Best Regards.
Good day,
My brother is coming next month to Dubai with a visit visa. He is taking medicine for minimal tuberculosis since last month, it will end next month, on the advise of the doctor to take it for 2 months. My question is, is it safe for him to travel with the medication? The airport authorities will not stop him from bringing his medicine?
Hoping for your kind response.
Many thanks,
Dani
Hello Dani,
It depends on his condition, the prescription and the type of drug. Please try contacting the Ministry of Health of the UAE http://www.moh.gov.ae/en/Pages/Contactus.aspx for an official answer.
Dear all,
I work in Qatar and when I arrived here I had some issues with my medical because they found a small nodule in my lung – they stopped my resident permit for almost two months. I went through a lot of tests, including sputum test, skin test and Interferon Gamma Release Assay. All of them were negative.
I got a new job in Abu Dhabi but I am scared to go through this never-ending process again and I am afraid they will reject me, even if all the tests are negative. I read some cases and they said even having negative results they were still rejected for a UAE resident permit.
I have never had tuberculosis or any other diseases in my whole life and I am about to reject the job. Do you think that I will have the same problem in Abu Dhabi as Qatar? Even if I am able to withstand the whole process, can they still reject me, even if all the tests are negative?
Thanks in advanced for your help.
Best regards
Hi Karla,
If a nodule is detected in your lungs, you will be further examined. If you are diagnosed with a so called latent tuberculosis infection, you will be deemed medically unfit. The following link explains the details of the screening process: http://www.haad.ae/haad/tabid/1200/Default.aspx
Best regards
I have been working in Dubai for the last three years. I recently got married and I moved to Dubai with my wife. She has been here for at least two months. During her medical check up they seem to say that they found a strain of TB. They admitted her to the hospital for treatment which they said would take at least two or three weeks for her to be released.
I know TB is fully curable. What I am afraid of is that, will she be stripped of her residential visa and banned from entering Dubai even after she fully recovers?
I researched the issue online and found several articles which says they will deport and some saying that they might have relaxed the law on TB. But still its not clear and I am lost at what I should do next.
Your reply would help me a lot, thanks!
This depends on her condition and her medical records. Her doctor should be able to give you more information.
Hi! Kaleel,
Hope you are fine.
Any progress now on what happened to your wife?
Thanks.
Alexi,
Thanks for your reply. I checked the website but I can’t find what the process will be. What are the next tests about? The same as I got here in Doha? Skin test, sputum and blood cultivation? Because all the tests were negative for me, so that proved I never had that disease. My fear is, if they see the nodule, they will send me straight home or they will do the proper tests?
Thanks again in advance.
After the x-ray, in case a nodule/scar is detected, the following additional tests are used for a diagnosis: a sputum test, a tuberculin skin test (TST) and a Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA). The procedure requires 3 radiologists to look at your results.
I have scars in my lungs from 12 years ago but no active TB and I’m healthy. Some people have complained of being rejected even after the sputum and TST come back negative, is it true? Would it be wise for me to apply for a residence visa? Will they check if the TST sensitivity is larger than 15mm and if the IGRA is positive, or just blindly reject my case?
If you are diagnosed with a so called latent Tuberculosis infection, you can be deemed medically unfit. The procedure requires 3 radiologists to look at your results before determining you medically unfit.
Will I be able to have a work permit and residence visa if I was diagnosed with mild dextroscoliosis at the thoracic spine, which is not severe?
Please help me on this matter.
Unfortunately we have no expertise in your specific condition. If you are free of contagious diseases, then you can apply for a residence permit.
Hi, I am here in the Philippines and currently applying to work in Dubai. I learned that I am a Hep B carrier when I gave birth 3 years ago. I also learned that only under category 6 are required to have a Hep B test. I am applying as a Sales Lady and it does not fall under that category but I’m still worried since some still say they were deported after being diagnosed with Hep B. Let me know if the new law really applies, should I pursue my application and not be worried? If I really cant get a working visa, I will stop all this because I’m just wasting my money if I can never work in Dubai as a Hep B carrier. Please let me know.
According to the Dubai Health Authority, if you are applying for a Sales position (and not one of the positions under the 6 categories) and your medical result shows Hep B positive, you will be given treatment according to Ministry of Health in the UAE and your visa application will not be rejected. However some companies prefer not to hire employees with such diseases. The best is to be open with the company and tell them about your condition before proceeding with the process.
Hi,
I’m 29 years of age and have been a resident of Dubai for 4 yrs. I had gone for an operation last Jan and removed my axillary lymph node for biopsy and the histopathology report indicates a caseating epithelioid cell granuloma with giant cell. According to my doctor it was TB. He gave me two options, to go back home and be treated (but I’m just worried to bring the medicines back in Dubai) and the other option is to go into a Government hospital in Muhaisnah (but I’m worried about this deportation issue). What should I do?
Hoping for your soonest reply,
Thanks in advance.
We suggest contacting the Dubai Health Authority for official advice regarding your treatment.
Hi!
I was in AUH UAE from 2007 to 2011 and then went back to my country. Recently I had an accident and was diagnosed Hepatitis C positive. Now I am willing to apply for a work permit to the UAE as a sales person.
Will I be deported or allowed to work?
Please reply.
Generally, a Hepatitis C test is not part of a standard medical check. Please get in touch with your sponsor to discuss your specific case.