Moving from the NHS to Dubai as a doctor, requires seven key steps: verify your qualifications meet DHA standards, gather documents including your Certificate of Good Standing from the GMC, apply through the Sheryan portal, complete DataFlow verification (30-45 working days), pass the DHA Prometric exam, secure a job offer from a DHA-approved facility, and activate your license. The entire process typically takes 4-6 months from start to practicing in Dubai, and each step has specific requirements you’ll want to understand thoroughly.
Verify Your Medical Qualifications Meet DHA Requirements
Before you begin the DHA licensing process, you’ll need to confirm your medical qualifications align with their Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). Your MBBS or MD degree must come from an accredited university recognized by UAE health authorities, with a minimum of five continuous years of education including four years of formal medical training.
For degree documentation, gather your official transcripts and guarantee your credentials meet registration acceptance standards. You’ll also need proof of at least one year of supervised clinical internship post-undergraduate training. Any documents not in English or Arabic must have approved translation and notarization before submission.
DHA offers a self-assessment tool to verify PQR compliance before submitting your application. Since you’re coming from the NHS, your Good Standing Certificate must be issued within six months of application and reflect no disciplinary issues. If you hold a surgical specialty, you must also provide your last two years Logbook documenting your surgical procedures and experience.
Gather Essential Documents From the NHS and Medical Schools
You’ll need to compile several critical documents before submitting your DHA application. Start by obtaining your NHS registration certificates, complete medical school transcripts, and Good Standing Letters from the General Medical Council. These documents form the foundation of your licensing application and must meet specific formatting and timeline requirements set by the Dubai Health Authority. All documents will undergo Primary Source Verification to confirm their authenticity before your application can proceed. Ensure all documentation is prepared in English or Arabic, with official translations arranged for any documents in other languages before submission.
NHS Registration Certificates
The General Medical Council issues several registration certificates that you’ll need to gather before applying to work in Dubai.
Understanding the provisional registration process helps you identify which documents apply to your situation. The GMC provides these essential certificates based on your training stage and career pathway:
- Provisional Registration Certificate, Required for F1 doctors, includes your licence to practise
- Full Registration Certificate, Confirms completion of foundation training for F2 doctors
- Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), Proves you’ve finished approved specialist or GP training
- Certificate of Good Standing, Verifies no fitness to practise concerns from the past five years
Dubai authorities may require documentation showing medical license extensions or registration status changes. You can verify your current GMC status through their online database of registered practitioners. You must provide a Certificate of Good Standing from each medical authority you’ve been registered or licensed with during the last five years, even if you didn’t work in that country. Doctors who haven’t completed a full GMC approved training programme can alternatively apply for a CEGPR to gain entry to the GP Register.
Medical School Transcripts
Your medical school transcripts form a critical component of Dubai residency applications, requiring careful attention to format, attestation, and evaluation standards.
Transcript Evaluation Requirements
You’ll need to complete an Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) General evaluation with Grade Average through ece.org. This transcript evaluation converts your UK grades to a standardized GPA format used for shortlisting. Dubai authorities require a minimum GPA equivalent of 3.0 (80% or higher) for non-UAE applicants. Your medical school must be listed under the World Health Organization to qualify for the residency program.
Transcript Authentication Process
Your transcript authentication involves multiple steps: obtain attestation from the UAE Embassy in your issuing country, then verification through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You must also complete Primary Source Verification via DataFlow at dha.dfgateway.com. The shortlisting phase accounts for 50% of the selection process, making properly authenticated transcripts essential for advancing your application.
Ensure your transcripts are less than five years old and submit all documents online, MBRU accepts no hard copies.
Good Standing Letters
Beyond academic credentials, regulatory bodies in Dubai require proof that you’ve maintained professional standards throughout your medical career.
Your Certificate of Good Standing confirms you have no disqualifications, prohibitions, or suspensions from practising medicine. The certificate validity period is three months from issue, so time your request strategically. This document serves as a testament to your unblemished professional record and confirms your eligibility and ethics in practising medicine. The certificate also details any past practice restrictions that are no longer active, providing a comprehensive view of your professional history.
Here’s the certificate retrieval process from the GMC:
- Log into your GMC Online account and navigate to ‘My Registration’ then ‘My CCPS requests’
- Submit your request, processing typically takes 10 days
- Note that the GMC sends certificates directly to regulatory authorities, not employers
- Request certificates from every regulatory body you’ve registered with in the last five years
If you haven’t accessed your GMC account since August 2021, update your credentials before initiating requests.
Create Your Account and Apply Through the Sheryan Portal
Once you’ve gathered your documentation, you’ll need to navigate to the official DHA Sheryan Portal at sheryan.dha.gov.ae to begin your licensing application. Your account registration starts by selecting “Register New Account” and entering personal details, contact information, and professional credentials.
| Step | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Create account and select profession category | Day 1 |
| Profile Completion | Upload documents and photograph | Days 2-3 |
| Application Review | DHA processes submission | 5 working days |
Online platform navigation is straightforward, complete the Self-Assessment Tool to determine your eligibility instantly at no cost. You’ll pay the 200 AED registration fee through the portal. When entering your information, use official English or Arabic spellings exactly as they appear on your documents to prevent processing delays or rejections. After submission, check your application status under “My Applications.” Expect approval, rejection, or a request for additional information. Be aware that draft applications inactive for over 6 months will be automatically cleared from your account, so complete your submission promptly.
Complete Primary Source Verification Through Dataflow
DataFlow’s Primary Source Verification (PSV) serves as the backbone of your DHA licensing process, confirming that your educational qualifications, work history, and professional credentials are authentic. This ISO-certified process contacts your universities, licensing councils, and previous employers directly. Without successful DataFlow verification, your DHA licensing application will typically be rejected or significantly delayed.
To optimize document requirements and expedite PSV process completion, prepare these essentials:
- Clear passport scans and recent passport-size photograph
- Degree certificates and transcripts from your medical school
- GMC registration and good standing certificate
- Experience letters covering your last five years of NHS employment
Standard processing takes 30-45 working days, though complex cases extend to 60 days. Pay fees immediately after submission since drafts expire after three months. Monitor your DataFlow dashboard regularly for status updates and resubmission requests. You can track each stage of the authentication process through DataFlow’s online portal, allowing you to identify any delays requiring your attention.
Prepare for and Pass the DHA Prometric Exam
You’ll face 150 multiple-choice questions covering basic sciences and clinical medicine, with a 2-hour time limit and a 60% passing threshold required. The computer-based exam tests your theoretical knowledge and clinical proficiency against Dubai’s healthcare standards, with topics spanning chronic diseases, women’s health, pediatrics, and surgical procedures. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam after a waiting period, though you’ll need to pay the registration fee again for each subsequent attempt.
Exam Format and Content
The DHA Prometric exam tests your clinical competence through 150 multiple-choice questions delivered over three hours at a designated testing center. You’ll encounter single-best-answer format questions with no negative marking, giving you approximately 1.1 minutes per question.
The exam breakdown includes these key question types:
- Knowledge-based questions testing clinical fact recall
- Clinical scenarios presenting patient cases requiring diagnosis or treatment decisions
- Image-based questions featuring radiographs and clinical photographs
- Vignettes involving drug calculations and priority-setting
Content spans chronic disease management, pediatric care, emergency medicine, and preventive health aligned with evidence-based guidelines. You’ll need 60% to pass as a physician.
To prepare effectively, practice question formats using timed mock exams that mirror actual test conditions. Focus your study on high-weight domains identified in the DHA blueprint.
Retake Policy Details
Because the DHA Prometric exam allows only three attempts per calendar year, understanding the retake policy before your first sitting helps you plan strategically.
Your exam retake schedule has no mandatory waiting period between attempts. Once you receive your results through the Sheryan portal, you can immediately begin the retake application process. Most candidates wait 30-90 days to prepare adequately, but this remains your choice.
Each attempt requires paying the full exam fee again, AED 700-1,100, with no refunds under any circumstances. Failed attempts across all UAE health authorities (MOHAP, DHA, DOH) count toward your three-attempt limit.
If you exhaust all three attempts, you’ll face a mandatory 12-month waiting period and must submit evidence of additional training or upgraded qualifications before reapplying.
Secure a Job Offer From a DHA-Approved Healthcare Facility
Before you can practice medicine in Dubai, you’ll need to secure a position with a healthcare facility that holds DHA approval. Research potential employers across DHA’s six JCI-accredited hospitals or private facilities operating under Dubai Healthcare City Authority.
To secure your position, follow these steps:
- Access the Dubai Medical Registry portal to identify approved facilities and current vacancies
- Secure required medical credentials verification through DHA’s assessment process
- Submit applications directly through official hospital recruitment channels or specialized Gulf healthcare agencies
- Prepare documentation for initial screening before interview scheduling
Positions span multiple specializations including emergency medicine, obstetrics, paediatrics, and radiology. Both public DHA hospitals and private sector facilities offer competitive employment packages with accommodation and travel benefits.
Activate Your License and Complete Your Relocation to Dubai
Once you’ve passed your DHA Prometric exam and secured a job offer from an approved facility, you’re ready to activate your medical license through Dubai’s Sheryan portal. Submit your exam results, PSV report, and complete documentation package. Your digital license typically arrives within 6-10 weeks.
| Timeline Phase | Duration | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| License Processing | 6-10 weeks | Document submission, portal review |
| Visa Sponsorship | 2-3 weeks | Employer-initiated residence visa |
| Relocation Setup | 1-2 weeks | Securing housing, bank accounts |
Coordinate with your employer regarding living allowances and accommodation support during this migration. Many healthcare facilities offer relocation packages that cover initial housing costs. Remember, your DHA license permits practice exclusively within Dubai, you’ll need separate authorization for other emirates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Practice in Dubai if I Only Have PLAB Certification From the UK?
You can’t practice in Dubai with only PLAB certification. You’ll need to pass the DHA Prometric exam since PLAB 1 alone doesn’t qualify for exemption, you must complete both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, or hold active GMC registration with a UK license. You’ll also undergo degree verification through DataFlow and must demonstrate English language proficiency. Prepare your credentials, complete the required assessments, and submit your application through the Sheryan portal.
What Happens if I Fail the DHA Prometric Exam Three Times in One Year?
If you fail the DHA Prometric exam three times in one cycle, you’ll face a two-year ban from reapplying, essentially a Dubai license revocation of your eligibility. The retake exam timeline requires waiting this full period before restarting your application. You must also upgrade your qualifications per PQR requirements. Alternatively, you can attempt one final exam with a different UAE regulatory authority, provided you declare your previous failures.
Do Doctors Over 65 Face Additional Requirements When Applying for Dubai Licensure?
Yes, you’ll face additional age requirements when applying for DHA licensure after 65. You must complete medical fitness testing at DHA-approved centers, and these certificates remain valid for two years. Key licensing considerations include enhanced scrutiny of your competency and health status, with authorities retaining discretionary approval power. However, your qualifications and active practice status carry more weight than your age, there’s no formal maximum age limit for foreign doctors.
How Long Does the Entire NHS to Dubai Licensing Process Typically Take?
You can expect the entire NHS to Dubai licensing process to take approximately 3, 6 months. Your license application timeline depends heavily on medical qualifications verification through Dataflow, which alone requires 30, 45 days. Factor in Sheryan registration (1, 2 weeks), eligibility review (10, 15 business days), Prometric exam scheduling and results (2, 3 weeks), and final license issuance (5, 10 business days). You’ll move faster if your institutions respond promptly to verification requests.
Is Malpractice Insurance Provided by Employers or Purchased Independently in Dubai?
You can obtain coverage through either employer provided malpractice coverage or independent malpractice insurance, both options are valid in Dubai. Most healthcare facilities include you under their group policies, but you’re responsible for verifying your inclusion. If you’re working as a locum or temporary consultant, you’ll need to confirm employer coverage or purchase your own policy from a DHA-approved insurer. Either way, you must maintain valid coverage to keep your license active.
