Book your visa medical fitness test in Dubai through the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Salem system or at an authorised medical fitness centre, bring your passport and entry permit or Emirates ID application, and complete a blood test and chest X-ray — standard results usually arrive within one to two working days by email and flow directly to ICP for your residence visa.
Quick facts
- Standard fee: Typically around AED 300 to AED 350 for a standard new-visa test — check the DHA Salem portal for the current fee
- Time needed: 20 to 45 minutes at the centre; results in about 1 to 2 working days, faster for express services
- Where it happens: DHA medical fitness centres across Dubai, including Al Barsha, Jebel Ali and Muhaisnah, plus Salem smart centres
- Who needs it: Everyone applying for a new UAE residence visa or renewal, aged 18 and over
Step-by-step: booking and completing the test
- Confirm your application is ready. Your employer, sponsor or typing centre will have started your entry permit or visa application. You need the application details before booking, because the medical is linked to that file in the system.
- Book through Salem or a typing centre. Use the DHA website, the DHA app or the Salem portal to choose a centre, date and service speed, or let an Amer typing centre book it for you. Keep the appointment SMS — you will show it on arrival.
- Prepare your documents. Bring your original passport, entry permit or status-change paper, a clear passport copy and photo if requested, and your existing Emirates ID for a renewal. Arrive a little early with your payment card; most centres are cashless.
- Register and pay at the centre. Take a token, verify your details carefully — your name must match your passport exactly — and pay the fee for the category you selected: standard, 24-hour, or VIP/express where offered.
- Complete the blood test and chest X-ray. Staff will take a blood sample and a chest X-ray. Tell staff if you are pregnant, because the X-ray part is handled differently and may be deferred or shielded under medical guidance.
- Receive your results. The fitness certificate is sent electronically — you typically get an SMS and email, and the result is shared with ICP automatically. Download and save the certificate for your own records.
- Continue to Emirates ID biometrics. Once medically fit, complete fingerprinting at an ICP service centre if it is your first Emirates ID, then wait for residence issuance and ID delivery.
Centres, categories and fees in AED
DHA runs medical fitness centres across Dubai, and some are dedicated to specific groups such as domestic workers or occupational health. Popular general centres include those in Al Barsha, Jebel Ali, Al Muhaisnah, Al Rashidiya and DIFC-area Salem centres. Opening hours are usually Sunday to Friday patterns with Friday variations, so check the live listing when you book. Fees rise with speed: the standard service is the cheapest, a 24-hour result costs more, and a VIP service with results in a few hours costs the most — typically around AED 700 or more — check the official portal for the current fee for your visa category, because domestic worker, renewal and new-visa prices differ.
Certain job categories, such as food handlers, salon staff, nursery workers and health professionals, need additional tests beyond the standard blood test and X-ray. Your employer should tell you the category in advance; booking the wrong category means a repeat visit.
What the test screens for
The standard screening covers conditions specified in UAE Cabinet rules, including HIV, pulmonary tuberculosis, and hepatitis for certain job categories, among others. If a result needs follow-up, the centre will contact you for a retest or referral — follow that instruction promptly and speak to your sponsor or PRO, because the visa cannot proceed until the medical file is resolved. Rules on what is treatable versus what affects fitness differ by condition and category, so rely on the centre and DHA guidance for your case rather than rumours in community groups.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common delay is a name mismatch between the booking, passport and visa application — check the spelling at registration. Others include going to a centre in another emirate for a Dubai visa, letting your entry permit expire while waiting to book, and missing a retest call because your registered mobile number was wrong. Book as soon as your permit is issued and keep your phone on.
FAQ
Do I need to fast before the medical fitness test?
No fasting is normally required for the standard blood test and X-ray. Eat and drink normally unless the centre gives you a specific instruction for an additional test in your category.
How long is the medical certificate valid?
The result is linked to your current visa application and is generally valid for a limited period, commonly three months. Complete your Emirates ID and residence steps promptly so you do not need a repeat test.
Can I do the test on a tourist visa before my work permit?
No. The medical must be linked to a residence visa application or entry permit. Wait until your sponsor has opened the file — a test taken too early cannot be used and you would pay twice.
