UAE medical fitness test for residence: what it screens, who takes it and where
The medical fitness test required for a UAE residence visa as u.ae states it: applicants aged 18 and above, screening for communicable diseases such as HIV and TB, the extra syphilis and Hepatitis B tests for listed job categories, the pregnancy test for female domestic workers, the Abu Dhabi chest x-ray, renewal screening and the conditional one-year certificate, and the EHS, DHA and SEHA centres.
The short answer
Everyone applying for a UAE residence visa who is 18 or older must pass a medical fitness test at an approved government centre before the residence is issued. u.ae states that foreign nationals must be free of communicable diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis; certain job categories are also tested for syphilis and Hepatitis B, and female domestic workers must test negative for pregnancy. Abu Dhabi screens for pulmonary TB by chest x-ray while Dubai does not. At renewal, TB scars or active TB lead to a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence with treatment in the UAE.
Key facts
- Who
- Residence applicants aged 18 and above (u.ae general provisions)
- Screening
- Free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB (u.ae)
- Extra tests
- Syphilis and Hepatitis B for nursery workers, domestic workers, food handlers, salon and beauty workers, health-club workers (u.ae)
- Female domestic workers
- Must test negative for pregnancy (u.ae)
- Emirate difference
- Abu Dhabi screens for pulmonary TB by chest x-ray; Dubai does not (u.ae)
- Renewal
- TB screening; scars or active TB give a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence with treatment in the UAE (u.ae)
- Centres
- Emirates Health Services, Dubai Health Authority medical fitness centres, SEHA Disease Prevention and Screening Center in Abu Dhabi (u.ae)
Who must take the test
u.ae's general provisions: "A residence visa requires applicants who are 18 and above to undergo a medical test ... They must also pass a security check and apply for an Emirates ID card." The family page repeats it for dependants: male and female family members who have completed the age of 18 must undergo and pass medical fitness tests at approved health centres. The ICP residence card lists the "medical report" among the documents for employment residence. Children under 18 are not tested.
The test sits between entry and the residence stamp in the sequence, and the whole sequence must finish within 60 days of entry, so book the test early.
What is screened
The u.ae health-conditions page (updated 22 October 2025) states that "foreign nationals need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB." Certain occupations carry additional tests.
| Applicant category | Screening stated on u.ae |
|---|---|
| All residence applicants aged 18 and above | Communicable diseases such as HIV and TB |
| Nursery workers | Additional syphilis and Hepatitis B tests |
| Domestic workers | Additional syphilis and Hepatitis B tests |
| Food handlers | Additional syphilis and Hepatitis B tests |
| Salon and beauty workers | Additional syphilis and Hepatitis B tests |
| Health-club workers | Additional syphilis and Hepatitis B tests |
| Female domestic workers | Must test negative for pregnancy |
| Applicants in Abu Dhabi | Pulmonary TB screening by chest x-ray (Dubai does not) |
| Renewal applicants | TB screening; scars or active TB give a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence with treatment in the UAE |
Where to take it
u.ae names the government providers: Emirates Health Services (EHS), Dubai Health Authority (DHA) medical fitness centres, and the SEHA Disease Prevention and Screening Center in Abu Dhabi. In Dubai the visa authority is GDRFA Dubai and the test is with DHA; in Abu Dhabi the test is with SEHA; the visa authority for the other emirates is ICP. The official pages we read do not list private hospitals as approved providers; use the government centres named.
How it runs
- Entry permit or change of status approved and the 60-day clock started.
- Book at the relevant government centre for your emirate.
- Attend with your passport and entry permit; the centre carries out the screening and, in Abu Dhabi, a chest x-ray.
- Result issued as the medical fitness certificate or medical report the ICP card requires.
- Proceed to Emirates ID biometrics and the residence stamp.
Result time and fees
The official pages we read do not state a result time or a fee for the medical fitness test; both are set by the health authority and vary by service level. We do not quote third-party figures. Ask the centre when you book.
What people get wrong
- Leaving the test until late in the 60 days. The residence cannot be stamped without it.
- Expecting the same tests in every emirate. Abu Dhabi includes a chest x-ray for TB; Dubai does not.
- Not telling a domestic-worker or food-handler applicant about the additional tests. Syphilis and Hepatitis B tests apply to the listed categories.
- Assuming a TB scar at renewal means refusal. u.ae describes a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence with treatment in the UAE.
Next step
The medical fitness test is one step in the residence sequence. For where it sits and what comes next, read UAE residence visa, or family visa if you are sponsoring dependants.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a medical test for a UAE residence visa?
Applicants aged 18 and above, including sponsored family members who have completed 18.
What does the UAE medical fitness test check?
u.ae states applicants must be free of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. Listed job categories are also tested for syphilis and Hepatitis B, and female domestic workers for pregnancy.
Is there a chest x-ray?
In Abu Dhabi, yes, to screen for pulmonary TB. u.ae says Dubai does not screen by chest x-ray.
Where do I take the test in Dubai?
At Dubai Health Authority medical fitness centres, per u.ae.
What happens if TB is found at renewal?
u.ae describes a conditional fitness certificate and a residence visa for one year, with treatment in the UAE, for applicants with TB scars or active TB at renewal.
How much does the medical test cost?
The official pages we read do not state a fee. Ask the centre when you book.
Official sources and review
The rules on this page were checked against the official pages below. We re-check every 60 days and after any announced change.
- UAE Government portal (u.ae)Health conditions for UAE residence visaChecked 4 September 2026
- UAE Government portal (u.ae)General provisions for the residence visaChecked 4 September 2026
- UAE Government portal (u.ae)Residence visa for family membersChecked 4 September 2026
- ICPIssuing Residency Permit — service card (all residence types)Checked 4 September 2026
Government fees, thresholds and processing times change without notice. Where an official page does not state a figure, we say so rather than estimate. Nothing here is legal advice or a decision of any UAE authority.
Immigration UAE is a brand of Cosmos Immigration, a private immigration and business-services consultancy. It is not affiliated with the Government of the UAE, ICP, GDRFA, MOHRE or any UAE government authority.
Starting a residence process?
Tell us your route and emirate. We will set out the order of steps so the medical test falls in the right place inside the 60 days.
No private firm can guarantee the outcome of a UAE visa, residency or licensing application. Decisions rest solely with the relevant UAE authority.