To work as a doctor in Dubai you need a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licence. General practitioners need an MBBS or equivalent degree, a one-year internship and two years of clinical experience, while specialists and consultants are assessed on the tier of their specialty certificate under the UAE PQR. You also need DataFlow Primary Source Verification, a Good Standing Certificate from the last six months and a pass in the DHA Prometric exam unless your qualification is exempt, and a Dubai health facility then activates your registration into a licence.
Understanding the DHA Medical License Requirements
The DHA licenses doctors everywhere in Dubai except Dubai Healthcare City, a free zone with its own regulator. Its requirements follow the Unified Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR) that it shares with DOH Abu Dhabi and MOHAP, and they cover your degree, internship, experience, good standing and an exam. Planning a doctor career in Dubai starts with working out which title you qualify for.
For the General Practitioner title you need an MBBS or equivalent degree of at least five years’ study, a one-year internship and two years of clinical experience after it. Specialists need a recognised specialty qualification from a full-time programme of at least three years, and consultants need further experience after it. You must hold a valid licence in your home country or country of last employment and a Good Standing Certificate issued within the last six months, and surgical specialists must submit a signed and stamped surgical logbook. Unless you are exempt, you must pass the DHA Prometric exam. The full DHA licensing guide walks through each stage.
Which DHA Title You Qualify For After MBBS or Specialty Training
| DHA title | Qualification | Experience needed (non-UAE nationals) |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | MBBS or equivalent (at least 5 years of study) plus a 1-year internship | 2 years of clinical experience after the internship |
| Specialist, Tier 1 or Tier 2 certificate | Recognised specialty certificate, full-time programme of at least 3 years | None after the qualification |
| Specialist, Tier 3 certificate | Recognised specialty certificate (for example India MD, MS or DNB; Pakistan FCPS) | 3 years after the main specialty (2 after a sub-specialty) |
| Consultant | Tier 1 or Tier 2 specialty certificate | Tier 1: 2 years after the main specialty. Tier 2: 5 years. Tier 3 cannot attain the title |
Source: Unified PQR (April 2025), table 5. Indian DM, MCh, DrNB and FNB certificates are Tier 2, while Indian MD, MS and DNB certificates are Tier 3. UK CCT and US ABMS board certificates are Tier 1.
All documentation must be attested by relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A gap in clinical practice of more than three years adds requirements: 80 CME/CPD credits and six months of supervised training for a gap of three to under four years, or 120 credits and eight months for four to under five years, followed by the exam even if you would otherwise be exempt. Non-UAE nationals cannot apply with a gap of more than five years. After document verification, you’ll need to complete the DataFlow PSV process to validate your credentials directly from the source institutions.
Primary Source Verification Process and Timeline
Before you can receive your DHA medical license, you’ll need to complete the Primary Source Verification (PSV) process through DataFlow, which involves exhaustive authentication of your core medical credentials. How long it takes depends mainly on how quickly your universities, hospitals and licensing bodies reply, which is covered in how long DataFlow verification takes. Maintaining active profile registration on the DHA portal throughout the verification process is essential. DataFlow charges its own fee, explained in DataFlow verification cost. A valid practice licence from your home country or last country of practice is one of the documents verified.
| Timeline Phase | Expected Duration |
|---|---|
| PSV Initiation | 1-2 days |
| Institution Verification | 4-6 weeks |
| Document Review | 1-2 weeks |
| Final Clearance | 3-5 days |
You must submit high-quality scans of all required documents in English through the Sheryan portal. These include your medical degrees, employment letters, good standing certificates, and professional licenses. Monitor both DataFlow and Sheryan dashboards closely, as any discrepancies or unverifiable credentials can result in application rejection or disqualification.
Required Documentation Checklist
When applying for a DHA medical license in Dubai, you’ll need to compile and submit five essential categories of documentation: personal identification, educational credentials, professional licensing, health certifications, and employment verification records.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity, and all non-English documents require certified translations. Document attestation procedures vary by country of origin but typically include verification from your home country’s medical council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You’ll need to provide your medical degree, transcripts, specialty certifications, and a valid Good Standing Certificate issued within the last six months. Surgical specialists must include a typed surgical logbook listing each procedure, date and your role, signed and stamped by the medical director or head of department and covering the experience your title requires. Employment verification must demonstrate the required post-internship experience, with detailed reference letters from previous employers. The process begins with submitting all required documentation to the Primary Source Verification agency for thorough validation. Doctors who are 60 years or older must also submit a physical and mental report as part of their application requirements. A full list is in the Gulf medical licensing documents checklist.
Professional Qualification Standards and Eligibility
Building upon your documentation requirements, understanding Dubai’s professional qualification standards sets the foundation for your medical practice eligibility. You’ll need a primary medical degree from a DHA-recognized institution, with programs lasting at least 5 years. Your clinical experience pathway must include a minimum 2-year post-internship period for general practitioners, while specialists follow a tier-based system requiring 3+ years of experience essential groundwork before applying for Dubai doctor jobs.
Healthcare professionals must complete their applications through the Sheryan Portal to obtain proper licensing. You must maintain an active, unrestricted medical license from your home country throughout the licensing process. The DHA requires Primary Source Verification through DataFlow for all qualifications, and you’ll need a recent Certificate of Good Standing from each jurisdiction where you’ve practiced. For specialist roles, you must hold recognized postgraduate qualifications and demonstrate existing specialist registration with your national medical authority. A Good Standing Certificate is considered valid for six months from its date of issuance.
Examination Requirements and Exemption Countries
Unless you are exempt, you must pass the DHA computer-based exam, delivered by Prometric at about 8,000 centres in more than 160 countries. The GP exam and the specialist exams each have 150 multiple-choice questions over three hours and cost USD 280. The GP pass mark is 60%, specialist pass marks range from 55% to 70% depending on the specialty, and results appear in Sheryan as Pass or Fail. You have three attempts across the UAE health authorities, with a possible fourth and final attempt.
You are exempt from the exam if you hold one of these:
- For specialist and consultant titles: a Tier 1 specialty certificate from one of 22 countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Emirati Board, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or the USA
- For the GP title: AMC (Australia), LMCC (Canada), PRES (Ireland), NZREX (New Zealand), EMREE (UAE), PLAB 1 and 2 or GMC registration (UK), or USMLE Part III (USA)
- Exemptions do not apply if you have been out of practice for more than three years
An exemption only removes the exam. You still need DataFlow verification, the required experience and a Good Standing Certificate. The DHA exam exemption rules list the full criteria.
Registration and Verification Fees
DHA’s Sheryan service pages list these fees for physicians:
- Registration (credentialing) fee: AED 200, with DHA Knowledge and Innovation fees added at checkout
- DHA exam: USD 280, paid when booking with Prometric
- Full-time licence, paid when a facility activates your registration: AED 3,000 for one year, AED 5,000 for two years or AED 7,500 for three years
- Part-time licence: AED 3,000
DataFlow verification is charged separately. Registration stays valid for one year, so a facility has to activate it into a licence within that time.
Digital Application Process Through Sheryan Platform
The Sheryan platform serves as Dubai’s centralized digital gateway for healthcare professional licensing. You’ll need to create a professional account that aligns with your healthcare role and qualifications before proceeding with document submission timelines. Your registration validity lasts one year and requires activation into a full license after approval.
Create your Sheryan professional profile to begin the digital journey toward Dubai healthcare licensing and document submission.
Key platform features include:
- Real-time application status tracking through your personalized dashboard
- Integrated DataFlow verification for credential checks
- Automated notifications for technical platform troubleshooting and document requests
- Self-assessment tools to evaluate your eligibility against current DHA requirements
- Exam eligibility and booking details, with results shown as Pass or Fail
Remember that your application will expire after six months of inactivity. You must use official name spellings and guarantee all uploaded documents are properly attested and translated to English or Arabic to avoid processing delays.
Employment and License Activation Steps
You’ll need to secure a job offer from a DHA-approved healthcare facility before proceeding with license activation, as this serves as a mandatory prerequisite. The facility submits the activation request through Sheryan and pays the licence fee. DHA lists activation as instant or within one working day once the request is complete, and the active licence then appears on your Sheryan profile. Your licence is tied to that facility, so a change of employer means a new activation.
Secure Job Offer First
Securing a formal job offer from a licensed medical facility stands as the critical first step before activating your Dubai medical license. Allocation Assist helps licensed and soon-to-be-licensed doctors secure roles across Dubai’s hospital groups, and current openings are listed under doctor jobs in Dubai.
Most facilities conduct initial interviews online before proceeding with in-person meetings.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi typically offer higher salaries compared to other emirates.
Competitive specialties like cardiology and cosmetic surgery provide more room for salary negotiations.
Your employment contract will outline probation periods, relocation benefits, and insurance coverage.
Have your experience certificates ready at the offer stage: GPs need 2 years after internship, Tier 3 specialists 3 years, Tier 1 and 2 specialists none, and consultants 2 years (Tier 1) or 5 years (Tier 2).
Facility Documentation Requirements
Before initiating employment at any Dubai medical facility, practitioners must complete extensive documentation requirements through the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Sheryan Portal. The facility ownership requirements mandate valid trade licenses, Emirates ID documentation, and tenancy contracts showing proper registration. Facility design regulations require pre-approved architectural layouts and MEP plans adhering to DHA standards.
| Documentation Type | Primary Requirements | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership Proof | Trade License, Ejari | DED Validation |
| Design Compliance | Layout Plans, MEP Specs | DHA Inspection |
| Staff Credentials | DHA Licenses, DataFlow | Professional Review |
| Safety Standards | Fire Certs, Emergency Plans | Regulatory Audit |
You’ll need to guarantee your facility maintains NABIDH health information integration compliance and submits detailed emergency response documentation before receiving final operational approval from DHA inspectors.
License Activation Timeline
Licensing in Dubai follows five steps: eligibility check, DataFlow PSV, the DHA exam (unless exempt), a job offer, and licence activation by the facility.
To keep each step moving:
- Complete self-assessment via Sheryan portal and verify eligibility requirements upfront
- Submit pristine document scans to DataFlow to avoid common issues with documents
- Schedule your DHA Prometric exam promptly after PSV completion
- Secure employment with a DHA-approved facility while awaiting results
- Ask your employer to submit the activation request once your registration is approved
Compliance and Regulatory Standards
As a practicing physician in Dubai, you’ll need to maintain strict compliance with DHA’s regular facility audits that evaluate workplace hygiene, documentation standards, and staff licensure validity. You must adhere to UAE insurance regulations, including proper coding and claims submission protocols while maintaining detailed electronic health records that meet data security requirements. Your facility must consistently meet DHA’s safety standards, covering fire prevention, sanitation protocols, and health security measures to avoid penalties or potential license suspension.
DHA Audit Requirements
Medical facilities in Dubai must undergo rigorous DHA regulatory audits to maintain their operational status. You’ll need to prepare for both announced and unannounced facility inspection protocols, which can be triggered by initial licensing, renewals, complaints, or random checks. These annual audit triggers guarantee your practice maintains compliance with DHA standards.
Key audit requirements you must meet include:
- Valid DHA professional licenses and DataFlow verification for all clinical staff
- Architectural compliance with minimum space requirements (30m² per consultation room)
- Complete patient records with proper consent forms and privacy controls
- Documented clinical protocols and infection control processes
- Evidence of internal quality audits and continuous improvement initiatives
Maintain comprehensive documentation of all compliance measures, as you’ll need to produce historical audit reports when requested by DHA inspectors.
Insurance Compliance Rules
Beyond facility audits, Dubai’s insurance compliance framework demands your strict adherence to extensive health coverage requirements. You’ll need to verify that your practice only accepts insurance plans from DHA-accredited providers and the DubaiCare Network, with coverage limits meeting the minimum AED 150,000 threshold under the Essential Benefits Plan.
Your practice must maintain detailed records of patient coverage verification, premium structure compliance, and co-payment collection within prescribed limits: 20% for inpatient care (capped at AED 500), 25% for outpatient visits (maximum AED 100), and 30% for medications. You’re also required to meet regular data reporting requirements to DHA, including insurance policy registration and network participation updates. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in penalties and affect your facility’s operating license.
Facility Safety Standards
Three core regulatory pillars will govern your facility’s safety standards in Dubai by 2025. The Dubai Health Authority’s thorough framework mandates strict compliance with facility design, operational protocols, and emergency preparedness measures. You’ll need to confirm your facility meets these essential requirements:
- Maintain segregated zones for sterile supply storage and clean room handling, with controlled ventilation systems
- Provide minimum 30-square-meter consultation rooms with DHA-approved floor plans
- Implement documented infection prevention protocols based on current public health assessments
- Secure all required staff licenses with DataFlow verification and Good Standing Certificates
- Install disability-accessible features meeting both DHA and Dubai Municipality standards
Medical Practice Setup Guidelines
Setting up a medical practice in Dubai requires strict adherence to the Dubai Health Authority’s extensive licensing framework and regulatory prerequisites. You’ll need to navigate credential recognition barriers while building professional networking opportunities to establish your practice successfully.
| Requirement | Timeline |
|---|---|
| DHA License Application | 2-4 weeks |
| Dataflow PSV Verification | 6-8 weeks |
| Prometric Exam Clearance | Up to 3 attempts |
| License Activation | 2 working days |
Your journey begins with registering on the DHA Sheryan portal, where you’ll submit attested documentation, including your medical degree, professional licenses, and Good Standing Certificate. You’ll need to complete primary source verification through Dataflow, pass competency assessments, and secure professional indemnity insurance. Remember, your license is facility-specific and requires reactivation if you change employers.
Getting Licensed and Hired in Dubai
For the wider picture across all emirates, Working as a Doctor in the UAE: A Guide compares the three licensing authorities. Allocation Assist handles DHA licensing for doctors, from DataFlow and the exam to activation, and helps doctors secure roles with Dubai hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Doctors Practice in Multiple Emirates With a Single DHA License?
No. A DHA licence covers Dubai, DOH licenses Abu Dhabi and MOHAP covers the Northern Emirates. Under the Unified PQR, though, a valid licence from one authority plus a Good Standing Certificate and a full PSV report exempts you from the exam at another authority for the same title, so adding a second emirate is mostly paperwork. More on this is in the UAE unified licensing platform for doctors.
What Are the Working Hour Restrictions for Medical Practitioners in Dubai?
As a medical practitioner in Dubai, you’ll need to follow strict physician scheduling guidelines that limit your work to 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. You’re entitled to a mandatory 1-hour break after 5 consecutive hours of work. Shift rotation policies allow for up to 2 hours of overtime daily, paid at 125% of your basic wage. If you’re working night shifts (10 pm-4 am), you’ll receive 150% of your basic wage.
Are There Arabic Language Proficiency Requirements for Medical Practice in Dubai?
No. You do not need an Arabic test to practise medicine in Dubai, and all UAE licensing exams are held in English, with no translator allowed in oral exams.
Can Foreign Doctors Own Private Medical Practices in Dubai?
Yes, but ownership, facility licensing and your own professional licence are separate steps. Inside Dubai Healthcare City, a free zone with its own regulator, the rules differ from mainland Dubai, where DHA licenses the facility and every practitioner working in it. Opening your own clinic in Dubai covers the setup steps.
What Malpractice Insurance Coverage Is Required for Physicians in Dubai?
You need medical malpractice (professional indemnity) insurance to practise in Dubai, and it is usually arranged through your employer. Cover levels vary by specialty and employer. Professional indemnity insurance for doctors in Dubai explains how cover works.
Can foreign doctors work in Dubai and the UAE?
Yes. Foreign doctors are licensed on the same PQR rules as everyone else: a recognised degree and internship, the experience your title needs, a Good Standing Certificate, DataFlow verification and the licensing exam unless your qualification is exempt. The main difference is that UAE nationals are exempt from the exam and have lower experience requirements for some titles.
How can I become a doctor in Dubai after MBBS?
After MBBS you can apply for the General Practitioner title once you have completed a one-year internship and two years of clinical experience. You then register on Sheryan, complete DataFlow verification, pass the DHA GP exam (150 questions, three hours, 60% pass mark) unless you hold an exempt qualification such as PLAB 1 and 2 or USMLE Part III, and have your licence activated by a Dubai employer.
Which exam do I need to pass to work as a doctor in Dubai?
The DHA licensing exam for your title, taken at Prometric centres. GP and specialist exams have 150 questions over three hours and cost USD 280; consultant exams have 100 questions with a 70% pass mark, and some consultant titles are assessed by an oral panel. Doing an MD or specialty training in Dubai itself is a separate route through DHA-approved residency programmes.
Can Indian doctors work in Dubai?
Yes. With MBBS, an internship and two years of experience you can apply as a GP. Indian MD, MS and DNB certificates are Tier 3 in the UAE PQR, so you need three years of experience after the degree to be licensed as a specialist, and these certificates cannot lead to the consultant title. Indian DM, MCh, DrNB and FNB certificates are Tier 2, which needs no experience for the specialist title and five years for consultant.
