New health rules in Dubai: Medical tests now required for visas, jobs, and driving licences

Medical screening turns into necessary in Dubai for visas, jobs, and driving licences from July 2025/ Consultant Picture

TL;DR

Beginning finish of July 2025, medical exams are necessary for visa, work, and licence purposes in Dubai.
Exams have to be performed via authorized well being facilities and deal with infectious ailments like HIV and TB.
Dubai Well being Authority (DHA) will handle the system and implement penalties for individuals who don’t comply.

From the top of July 2025, you’ll have to cross a medical check earlier than you will get or renew a visa, apply for a job, or maintain a driving licence in Dubai. The brand new rule applies to most adults, whether or not you are transferring to the town for work or already dwelling right here.That is a part of a broader well being regulation signed off by Dubai’s management. It provides extra management to the Dubai Well being Authority to supervise these medical checks and handle the town’s public well being efforts. The main focus is early detection, safer workplaces, and lowering the unfold of ailments.These adjustments will have an effect on lots of people, expats, employees, households, skilled drivers, and firms hiring expertise from overseas. The exams aren’t optionally available. And skipping them comes with heavy fines.

What You’ll Must Do

1. Take a Medical Health CheckEarlier than making use of or renewing any of the next, you’ll have to take a medical check:

Residence visa
Work allow
Driving licence (new or renewal)

Skilled drivers and supply employees are additionally included.2. Go By DHA-Authorised ClinicsYou may’t simply go to any clinic. The exams must be performed at medical facilities authorized by the Dubai Well being Authority. These facilities will observe strict procedures to ensure outcomes are dependable.3. Exams Will Display for Particular SituationsProper now, the important thing focus is on:

Infectious ailments like HIV and tuberculosis
Different circumstances could also be added later, relying on public well being wants

That is all geared toward preserving high-risk diseases beneath management.

What the DHA Will Now Oversee

The Dubai Well being Authority will tackle extra duty and have higher management beneath the brand new regulation.1. Setting the Guidelines: They’ll determine the testing requirements, the medical protocols, and which clinics qualify.2. Elevating Consciousness: Anticipate to see extra well being campaigns about:

Psychological well being
Drug and alcohol prevention
Well being checks for youth, aged, and pregnant girls

3. Neighborhood Care Packages: The regulation additionally covers longer-term care:

Prenatal and postnatal assist
Vaccinations for teenagers
Annual screenings for adults

So whereas the medical check rule is the headline, the regulation has an even bigger objective: long-term prevention.

What Occurs If You Don’t Observe the Guidelines

There are actual penalties. This is what we all know thus far:

Fines begin at AED 500
Can go as much as AED 1 million, relying on the case
Repeat the offense inside 12 months? The high quality might double, as much as AED 2 million

The Govt Council is anticipated to publish extra detailed tips on enforcement quickly.

What It Means for You

This isn’t simply paperwork. It’s about making a baseline of well being security throughout the town. It’s additionally a reminder that the times of skipping common well being checks are over, particularly if you happen to dwell and work in Dubai.Employers might want to replace HR processes. Staff might want to plan for medical appointments as a part of visa renewals. Households and long-term residents will see extra structured well being care, particularly for youngsters and the aged.It’s not meant to complicate issues, it’s meant to guard everybody.

FAQs

1. Who must take the medical check?

Anybody making use of for or renewing a residence visa, work allow, or driving licence in Dubai. This contains skilled drivers and repair employees.

2. What ailments will they check for?

The principle focus is on infectious ailments like tuberculosis and HIV. Different circumstances may very well be added relying on public well being wants.