Six medical examinations required to issue new or renew residence visa in UAE

Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

The UAE Digital Government (DGOV) explained on its website that non-Emirati individuals, who come to the country for the purpose of work or residence subject to six medical examinations to ensure they are medically fit, and then be eligible to proceed with completing the residency procedures.

The DGOV explained that in order to be able to obtain a work/residence permit, whether new or renewal, foreign nationals need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB.

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.

The emirate of Abu Dhabi screen foreign nationals to detect pulmonary tuberculosis by a chest x-ray; however, the emirate of Dubai does not.

A Cabinet Resolution was passed in 2016. As per this resolution, all resident expatriates while renewing their residence visas have to undergo TB screening.

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.

The DGOV also indicated that there are some jobs that require academic certificates for expatriate to be able to complete the residency and work procedures, so he/she must ensure that his/her certificates are duly authenticated in home country, first from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the UAE embassy or consulate.

It also pointed out that there are also some jobs in the UAE that require equivalency through the Ministry of Education.

The DGOV also said that there are some professions in the UAE that require local tests before being authorized to work, such as medicine, medical laboratories, nursing, and others that require the expatriate to subject to an exam from the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, or other local health authorities such as Dubai Health Authority and the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi.

In addition, it mentioned necessary information that one need to know before moving to live or work in the UAE.

This information help expatriates stay in the country, legally and comfortably.

Expatriate’s passport must be valid for at least six months, in addition to obtaining permission to enter the country, according to procedures observed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the emirate of destination.

The UAE law prohibits working under visit or tourism permit or otherwise, whether for or without pay. Offender, whether a worker or an employer, is subject to a fine and deportation, the DGOV.