UAE onboarding, explained from both sides.

Medical Fitness Test for UAE Residence Visa: An Employer's Guide

Every expatriate aged 18 or over must pass a government medical fitness test - screening for communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and leprosy - before a UAE residence visa is issued or renewed. The test is carried out only at centres approved by the relevant health regulator (DHA in Dubai, DoH/SEHA in Abu Dhabi, and Emirates Health Services/MOHAP in the other emirates), and the exact tests depend on the worker's occupational category. Standard results are typically issued within 24 hours, with faster express and VIP tiers available at higher cost.

1. 1Confirm who needs the test. Mandatory for all expatriates aged 18 and over applying for a new residence visa or renewing one - including employment, investor/partner, self-sponsored/freelance and dependent visas. Visit and tourist-visa holders are excluded (DoH Standard 3.3; under-18s are not screened, DoH 5.7.2).
2. 2Identify the occupational category. Screening depth is set by category. Group A = general employees/workers. Group Bi = domestic workers (housemaids, nannies, private drivers) and nursery/kindergarten staff. Group Bii = barbers, beauticians, health-club staff. Group C = healthcare workers. Bi/Bii/C face additional blood tests and hepatitis B vaccination (DoH Standard 5.1–5.3).
3. 3Book an approved screening centre. The certificate is only valid from a centre approved by the emirate's regulator - DHA-approved centres in Dubai, DoH/SEHA (including Capital Health Screening Centre) in Abu Dhabi, and EHS/MOHAP centres elsewhere. Bring the original passport, Emirates ID (for renewals) or entry permit/unified number (for new applicants), and a passport photo (EHS service page; DoH 3.5, 3.7).
4. 4Undergo the examination. Components are a physical examination (for leprosy/notifiable disease), blood tests (HIV plus, by category, hepatitis B & C and syphilis), a digital chest X-ray for pulmonary TB, and - for female domestic workers - a pregnancy test. Pregnant applicants are exempt from the X-ray, which is postponed until two months after the expected delivery date (DoH 5.4, 5.7.2–5.7.3).
5. 5Collect the result and handle abnormal cases. A 'fit' certificate feeds the visa file automatically. A reactive result triggers a confirmatory second blood sample within 7–10 days (DoH 5.6.3). HIV-positive results are reported to the MOI as unfit to reside, with deportation coordinated by the health regulator, sponsor and MOI; hepatitis B/C carriers in some categories are instead given 30 days to switch to an occupation that does not require that clearance (DoH 5.8.2). TB and syphilis are generally treatable with a conditional certificate rather than automatic refusal.

Fees and timelines vary by emirate, free zone and nationality - confirm the current figure with the regulator before you rely on it.