Blog Series – Working In The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Part 4

In order for the UAE to grant or renew a residence visa for all expatriates, males and females, have to undergo and pass medical fitness tests at government approved health centres in the UAE.

All applicants of a UAE Residency Visa, whether for first time or for renewal, will be tested for two communicable diseases:

• HIV (by testing their blood) and;
• Pulmonary tuberculosis (by taking an x-ray of their chest).

Those found to be HIV positive or having tuberculosis will be considered medically unfit and therefore will not be granted a residence visa. They will be deported immediately by the UAE’s authorities.

Residents who are detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit:

In this case, they are granted a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’ subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent government health authority.

Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first.

You need to know:

• In order to be able to obtain a clear work/residence permit, expatriates need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB.
• In order to be able to obtain a clear work/residence permit, expatriates need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first

Work visa requirements:

In order to be able to obtain a clear work/residence permit, expatriates need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first.

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

Important note:

• 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, too.
• 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.

Where are government medical fitness centres located?

Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Shariah have several medical fitness centres. Check also medical examinations centres for residency offered by the Ministry of Health and Prevention – Preventive Medicine Department.

Medical examination for Residency:

You can complete your medical examinations regarding the issuance of a residence visa at a medical examination centre near you.

Services offered at the centres:

• Printing of Residence visa forms.
• Conducting of medical examination.
• Issuance of Emirates ID (Preventive Medicine Departments only)
• Documents Required
• Valid passport copy
• Valid Residence Permit/Visa copy.
• Two passport size photographs with a white background.
• Valid Emirates ID copy (only in case of renewal of residence visa).

Service Locations:

Medical examination centres for UAE Residency Visa process in shopping malls

• Ibn Battuta Mall Dubai – Jebel Ali, China Court, Besides DEWA Customer Happiness center, 04-8804762, MEC.IBN@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday, Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing
• Dragon Mart 2 Dubai – International City, First floor, Near Novo Cinemas, 04-2326615, MEC.DG2@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing, Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing
• Spring Souk Mall Dubai – Jebel Ali, Springs Shopping Center, 1st floor – near Reel cinema, 04-4274431, Spring.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday – Thursday
• Salah Al Deen Street (19/b), Al Muraqqabat, Opposite to Al Reef Mall and Salah El Deen Metro Station, 04-4274431, MEC.SalahElDeen.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 7:30 AM- 7:30 PM, Sunday-Thursday
• Al Khobaisi Dubai – Deira, Al Ittihad Street (22), Behind Hyundai Agency, 04-2355524, MEC.AlKhobaisi.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday
• Al Nahda Center Dubai-Deira, Al Nahda Area 1, Al Ittihad Street (4), Near Tadbeer Center, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday, 04-2638833, MEC.AlNahda.DXB@moh.gov.ae
• Al Khibrah Center Sharjah-Industrial Area (10) near the industrial police station (10), 06-7489547, MEC.AlKhibrah.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday – Thursday
• Mushrif Health Centre Ajman, Al Ittihad Street near Emirates Telecommunication Corporation Company, 06-7455900, MEC.Mushairif.AJM@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday
• Sahara Center Sharjah – Al Nahda Area Sahara Center – basement, 06-5313666, MEC.Sahara.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday
• Al Ibdaa Center Sharjah Industrial area 18 Al Maliha street Showroom 3, 4, 06-7429800, MEC.AlIbdaa.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday
• Al Dahan center Ras al Khaimah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Street near the red Twilight car upholstery shop, 07-2224900, MEC.Dahan.RAK@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday

Service Charges: 48 hours (AED 110 including VAT)

The Ministry of Health and Prevention Preventive Medicine Departments:

• Preventive Medicine Center – Dubai (Al Baraha), 04-2731161, dxb.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
• Preventive medicine Center – Al Ghubaiba, 06-5662111, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
• Examination Center of Expatriate Labour in the Industrial Area, 06-5421442, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Kalba, 09-2031256, kal.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Wednesday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
• Preventive Medicine Centre – Dibba Al Hisn, 09-2444455, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Khorfakkan, 09-2384664, khor.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• Preventive medicine Center – Al Dhaid, 06-8822221, dhd.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Fujairah, 09-2227114, fuj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Preventive Medicine Centre – Ras Al Khaimah, 07-2223111, rak.pmd@moh.gov.ae
• Preventive Medicine Center – Ajman, 06-7031700, ajm.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM Sunday and Tuesday 5:00 PM to 10 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Umm Al Quwain, 06-7649393, uaq.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM Tuesday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM 5:00PM to 10:00 PM Service Charges: 48hrs.
• (Subject to 105 AED Service charge)
• Medical Examination Packages
• All Categories (excluding vaccination and female household domestic service) – AED 260
• All Categories (including vaccination) – AED 310
• Female House Hold Domestic Service – AED 360

Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.