Medical Fitness Test in Dubai: Centres, Fees and How to Book (2026)
Dubai visa medical test explained: Al Muhaisnah, Al Karama and all 25 Salem centres, official fees (AED 270 to 1,020), result times, booking and unfit rules.
Every expat applying for or renewing a Dubai residency visa needs a medical fitness test: a blood test and a chest X-ray at one of Dubai Health's 25 Salem medical fitness centres, including Al Muhaisnah and Al Karama. You apply through the Salem portal or a typing centre, then visit with your Emirates ID or passport, a photo and your e-visa copy. The official price list says standard costs AED 270 with results in 24 working hours, premium AED 700 (6 working hours), VIP AED 1,020 (2 working hours) and Smart Salem AED 700 (30 minutes).
Last checked: 18 October 2026
Who needs the visa medical test in Dubai
The test is required for anyone applying for or renewing a UAE residency visa in Dubai. That covers employees, family-sponsored residents, investors and domestic workers. The legal basis is Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2008, as amended by Cabinet Resolution No. 75 of 2022.
Two bodies are involved, and people often mix them up:
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the regulator. Many people still call the result a "DHA medical".
- Dubai Health runs the medical fitness centres under the Salem brand. Its Medical Fitness Exam service page is the official reference for the process.
The medical comes after your entry permit (e-visa) is issued, because the e-visa copy is one of the required documents. It comes before Emirates ID biometrics and visa stamping.
What is tested
For most applicants the visit is short: registration, a blood sample and a chest X-ray. Some job categories also get vaccinations. Under the 2022 rules, what is screened depends on your category:
| Condition | Who is screened | What happens if positive |
|---|---|---|
| HIV | All applicants, new and renewal | Residency not issued or renewed |
| Tuberculosis (pulmonary, by chest X-ray) | All applicants | New applicants: unfit (some family members, diplomats and major investors can be exempted). Renewals: fit subject to treatment, with a one-year visa |
| Leprosy | All applicants | Residency not issued or renewed |
| Viral hepatitis | Five job categories: nannies, domestic workers, nursery and kindergarten staff, salon and health club workers, health facility workers | Refused unless the visa purpose changes within 30 days of notification. Negative new arrivals get three vaccine doses |
| Syphilis | The same five categories | Treatment first, then the certificate is issued |
| Pregnancy | Female domestic workers | Sponsor decides in writing whether employment continues |
If you will work in a clinic, salon, spa or food business, you may also need a separate occupational health screening. Several centres offer a "Unified Health Screening" that combines both in one visit.
Fees and result times (official price list)
These are Dubai Health's published medical fitness packages. They match the charges set in Administrative Resolution No. 66 of 2021.
| Package | Fee (AED) | Result time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard medical fitness exam | 270 | 24 working hours |
| Standard, domestic workers | 320 | 24 working hours |
| Premium (often called "express") | 700 | 6 working hours |
| Premium, domestic workers | 750 | 6 working hours |
| VIP | 1,020 | 2 working hours |
| Smart Salem centre | 700 | 30 minutes |
Notes from the official list:
- Result times count official working hours, not clock hours. A Thursday evening test on the standard package will not be ready on Saturday morning.
- Domestic workers pay an extra AED 50 for the pregnancy test.
- Typing centre fees are extra if you apply through a typing centre.
- Dubai Health says prices can change. Older guides quote AED 250 for standard; that was the pre-package base charge.
Medical fitness centres in Dubai
Dubai Health lists 25 centres on its medical fitness centres page. Some free zone and company centres serve only staff of that zone or employer. Opening hours differ by centre and change during Ramadan and public holidays, so check the centre page before you go.
| Centre | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salem Al Muhaisnah | Al Muhaisnah 2 | Main high-volume centre. Listed as 24/7, with a Friday prayer break (12:00 to 14:00) |
| Al Muhaisnah Medical Fitness Center | Amman Street, Al Muhaisnah | Old site. Handles follow-up of post-test cases and embalming. Mon to Thu 7:00 to 15:30, Fri 7:30 to 12:00 |
| Salem Al Karama | Al Karama | Medical fitness, occupational health and unified screening |
| Salem Al Nahda | Al Nahda 1 | Medical fitness, occupational and unified screening |
| Salem Bur Dubai | Central Mall, Bur Dubai | Medical fitness, occupational and unified screening |
| Salem Al Quoz | Al Quoz | Residency medicals |
| Salem Al Garhoud | Al Garhoud | Residency medicals |
| Salem Al Rashidiya | Al Rashidiya | Residency medicals |
| Salem Zaabeel | Zaabeel | Residency medicals |
| Salem Abu Hail | Abu Hail, Deira | Residency medicals |
| Salem JVC | Circle Mall, Jumeirah Village Circle | Mon to Sat 8:00 to 20:00 |
| Salem Al Lusaily | Al Lusaily (Dubai to Al Ain Road) | Residency medicals |
| Salem Al Yalayis DIP | Dubai Investments Park | Residency medicals |
| Salem Al Yalayis Jebel Ali | Jebel Ali | Residency medicals |
| Smart Salem City Walk | City Walk, Al Wasl | 30-minute results. Mon to Thu 7:00 to 22:00; weekends 8:00 to 16:00 |
| Smart Salem Index | Index Tower, DIFC | 30-minute results |
| Smart Salem Dubai Knowledge Park | Dubai Knowledge Park | 30-minute results |
| Salem Emirates MFC | Dubai Healthcare City | See our Dubai Healthcare City guide |
| Free zone and company centres | DAFZA, JAFZA, DIFC, Dubai Airport, Emirates Airline, ENOC, AXS | Often limited to that zone or employer. Check eligibility first |
Al Muhaisnah: which building?
Visa medicals moved from the original Al Muhaisnah centre (opened 2008) to the newer Salem Al Muhaisnah building in Muhaisnah 2, as Gulf News reported. The new site has on-site typing, parking and MOHRE Tasheel and Tawjeeh services. The old building on Amman Street still handles follow-ups for unfit or repeat cases. If a search result says "Al Muhaisnah Medical Fitness Center", check which one you need.
Karama Medical Fitness Centre (KMFC)
The Karama centre, often searched as "Karama Medical Fitness Express Service Center" or KMFC, is now listed as Salem Al Karama. It offers the same packages, including premium (6-hour) results. Its page shows Occupational Health hours of Monday to Saturday 7:00 to 20:00, while a general listing shows 7:00 to 22:00 daily. Call 800 60 to confirm before a late visit.
How to book the medical test
- Get your e-visa (entry permit). Your employer, sponsor or free zone applies for it first.
- Submit the medical application. Use the Salem portal from the Dubai Health service page, the Dubai Health app, or an approved typing centre. Company PROs usually do this in bulk. Choose your package and centre and pay.
- Go to the centre with originals. Bring the registration form, your original valid Emirates ID or passport, a recent passport photo on a white background, and the e-visa copy.
- Do the tests. Expect a blood draw and chest X-ray. Vaccines are given to some job categories.
- Get your result. Dubai Health sends it by SMS or email. You can track it on the Medical Fitness Check page. The result goes to the visa system electronically.
Tip: make sure the mobile number and email on the application are yours, not an agent's. Otherwise you will not see the result.
If the result is "unfit"
- Fit certificates are emailed. For unfit cases, the sponsor or PRO follows up in person: Dubai Health's 2022 service catalogue directs them to the Al Muhaisnah follow-up office.
- For TB found at renewal, you can be issued a certificate "subject to treatment" and a one-year visa if you follow up with preventive medicine.
- For hepatitis in the five listed job categories, you have 30 days to change the visa purpose.
- For syphilis in those categories, you get treated and then the certificate is issued.
- For HIV and leprosy, the visa is not issued or renewed. The law allows exemptions only by the health authority or Minister.
Treat this as general information. For your own case, speak to the centre or Dubai Health on 800 60.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the visa medical test in Dubai?
Standard is AED 270 (24 working hours). Premium is AED 700 (6 working hours), VIP is AED 1,020 (2 working hours) and Smart Salem is AED 700 (30 minutes). Domestic workers pay AED 320 or AED 750, plus AED 50 for the pregnancy test.
Is Al Muhaisnah medical fitness centre open 24 hours?
The Salem Al Muhaisnah centre in Muhaisnah 2 is listed as open 24/7, with a Friday prayer break from 12:00 to 14:00. The old Al Muhaisnah centre on Amman Street keeps office hours and handles follow-ups.
How long does the medical fitness certificate take?
It depends on the package: 24, 6 or 2 working hours, or 30 minutes at Smart Salem. Working hours exclude weekends and holidays.
Can I walk in without an appointment?
You need a submitted application (via the Salem portal, the app or a typing centre). Some centres have on-site typing, including Salem Al Muhaisnah. Peak mornings can be busy, so a premium package or Smart Salem saves time.
How do I check my medical fitness result?
Use the Medical Fitness Check page on dubaihealth.ae, or wait for the SMS or email. Your sponsor can also see the status in the visa system.
Do healthcare workers need extra tests?
Yes. Health facility workers are screened for hepatitis and syphilis and get hepatitis B vaccination if negative. Nurses and doctors moving to Dubai can read our nurse jobs guide and doctor salary guide.
Run a clinic and want more patients booking from Google? See how Access One runs Google Ads for Dubai clinics.
Sources
- Dubai Health: Medical Fitness Exam for Residency Visa
- Dubai Health: Medical fitness packages (price list)
- Dubai Health: Medical fitness centres
- Dubai Health: Medical fitness check
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Administrative Resolution No. 66 of 2021 (medical fitness charges)
- DHA: Medical Fitness Centres Service Catalogue (2022)
- Gulf Today: Cabinet Resolution No. 75 of 2022 on expat medical tests
- Gulf News: Muhaisnah medical fitness centre relocates
Published 18 Oct 2026 · Access One
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