UAE medical fitness test for residence visa: Requirements, costs, documents and locations

If you have started the process for your family’s UAE residence visa application, there’s an important step that’s coming up: a medical fitness test.Any family member above the age of 18 years will need to undergo a medical fitness test, as per UAE law. But what exactly is it, and how can you apply for one? Find out below.What is a medical fitness certificate?A medical fitness certificate is a mandatory document that confirms the applicant is free from communicable diseases. It is legally required for all foreign nationals who are applying for a new UAE residence visa or renewing an existing one. However, residents under the age of 18 are exempt.You can complete your medical fitness test after you have received your entry permit and before you proceed with visa stamping and Emirates ID registration. The certificate is valid for the duration of the residence visa it accompanies: one to three years for standard visas, and five or 10 years for golden visa holders.What tests are performed?There are two mandatory screenings that test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB), and are considered the baseline for all visa applicants.Apart from HIV and TB, the following categories of workers are expected to test negative for syphilis and Hepatitis B:People employed in nurseriesDomestic workers, such as housemaids, nannies and driversFood handlers and employees of restaurants and cafesEmployees of salons and beauty centresHealth club workersFemale domestic workers must also test negative for pregnancy.Applicants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are additionally screened for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis via a chest X-ray for new residence visas. However, for visa renewals, only a blood test is required.According to a Cabinet Resolution passed in 2016, all resident expatriates have to undergo TB screening when renewing their residence visas. Those found with scars or active TB or found having drug-resistant TB will then be issued a conditional fitness certificate and a residence visa for one year. They will then have to undergo treatment in the UAE.Documents required for the medical fitness testOnce you have applied for your UAE residence visa at an Amer centre in Dubai, or at Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) locations in other emirates, you can then proceed with your medical fitness test.However, ensure you are fully prepared with all your documents on hand, before going, in order to avoid delays and hassles. Here are the documents you will need to bring along:A copy of the entry permit (if it’s a new visa) or a copy of your residence visa (if it’s a visa renewal)Original passportEmirates ID (if it’s a visa renewal)Recent passport photographWhere to apply for the medical fitness testIn the UAE, the cost for a medical fitness test is between Dh250 and Dh350 for standard 24- to 48-hour service. You can also choose to pay more for expedited services, and receive results within 30 minutes at Smart Salem centres.Medical fitness test locations will depend on the emirate you are located in.DubaiDubai Health has a network of 25 medical fitness centres across the city, including several premium Smart Salem centres. It’s worth noting that the system used for all Dubai’s visa medical results is called Salem – the system electronically connects the screening centres to Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).At the time of applying for your visa, you can select which medical fitness test centre is most convenient to visit. Here is a list of centres you can choose from:Al Garhoud Medical Fitness CentreAl Karama Medical Fitness CentreAl Lusaily Medical Fitness CentreAl Muhaisnah Medical Fitness CentreAl Nahda Medical Fitness CentreAl Quoz Medical Fitness CentreAl Rashidiya Medical Fitness CentreAl Yalayis Medical Fitness CentreAXS Medical Fitness CentreBur Dubai Medical Fitness CentreDAFZA Medical Fitness CentreDIFC Medical Fitness CentreEmirates Airline Medical Fitness CentreEmirates Medical Fitness CentreJAFZA Medical Fitness CentreKnowledge Village Medical Fitness CentreSmart Salem – TECOMSmart Salem – Al WaslSmart Salem – DIFC, Index TowerSmart Salem City WalkSmart Salem Index MallSmart Salem Knowledge ParkSmart Salem – Al Muhaisnah BranchSmart Salem – JVC Circle MallZabeel Medical Fitness CentreAbu Dhabi:Fitness tests in this emirate are primarily conducted at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company’s (SEHA) Disease Prevention and Screening Centres. Here is a list of active centres you can connect with:Al Maryah Island: The GalleriaAbu Dhabi Disease Prevention and Screening Centre: Hazza Bin Zayed StreetAl Shahama: Al Shahama Healthcare Centre, Al Sinad StreetBaniyas: Al Qadah StreetEtihad: Etihad Plaza, Khalifa AMusaffah: Street 28Al Ain Disease Prevention and Screening Centre: Shakhboot Bin Sultan Street (#131)Sweihan: Next to Sweihan ClinicAl Marfa: Al Marfa Hospital BuildingMadinat Zayed: Old Hospital/ Hospital StreetDelma: Delma Hospital Building, Delma, Western RegionSela: Sela Hospital BuildingGhayathi: Old Hospital BuildingMushrif: Mushrif Mall, Third FloorAl Wahda: Al Wahda Mall Extension, Third FloorAl Nukhba: Crystal Tower, Zayed 1st StreetMussafa: Top Prestige Prevention Centre, Street 14, M25Al Shamkha: Makani Mall, First FloorYou can book an appointment online, by visiting the website: visascreening.seha.ae.Northern EmiratesApplicants in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain can visit a Medical Examination Centre, operated by Emirates Health Services (EHS), to complete their medical fitness test. Apply for the test on the EHS website: ehs.gov.aeSelect from any of the following EHS centres, located across the UAE:Al Nahda Medical Examination Centre for Residency, DubaiIbn Battuta Medical Examination Centre for Residency, DubaiDragon Mart Medical Examination Centre for Residency, DubaiAl Baraha Smart Medical Examination Centre for Residency, DubaiSahara Medical Examination Centre, SharjahAl Khibrah Medical Examination Centre for Residency, SharjahAl Taj Smart Medical Examination Centre, SharjahAlshrooq Medical Examination Centre, SharjahWaqa Medical Examination Centre, SharjahMushairif Medical Examination Centre for Residency, AjmanAl Nuaimiya Medical Examination Centre for Residency, AjmanDahan Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Ras Al KhaimahMina Tower Medical Examination Centre for Residency, FujairahAl Amal Medical Examination Centre for Residency, FujairahAlmadar Medical Examination Centre for Residency, Umm Al QuwainOnce you have completed your test and received your medical fitness certificate, you can then proceed with the next steps. Learn what’s next by checking out our UAE family visa guide.