Two appointments stand between an approved entry permit and a stamped residency: the DHA medical fitness test and the ICP Emirates ID biometrics. Dubai has 14 approved medical fitness centres and 9 Emirates ID biometric centres, and several locations handle both in one visit. We tell you which centre is nearest, what to bring and which lane is fastest — or book the whole thing as part of your visa file.
- Medical centres
- 14 in Dubai
- Emirates ID centres
- 9 in Dubai
- VIP results
- From 30 minutes
- Standard results
- 24–48 hours
Visa medical fitness centres in Dubai
Authorised DHA medical fitness locations across the city. Several run 24/7 and also handle Emirates ID biometrics in the same visit.
- Al Nahda Centre — 24/7, medical + Emirates ID
- Al Muhaisnah Centre — 24/7, medical + Emirates ID
- Al Quoz, Bur Dubai, Garhoud and Karama centres
- Al Yalayis, Al Rashidiya, Al Lusaily and Hatta Hospital centres
- Salem Centre JVC
- Smart Salem premium VIP — Tecom, DIFC and City Walk
Emirates ID biometric centres in Dubai
ICP customer happiness centres where fingerprints and photographs are captured. Biometrics start at age 15 — younger children do not need to attend.
- Al Nahda and Al Muhaisnah — biometrics plus medical in one stop
- Al Barsha and Al Rashidiya customer happiness centres
- Al Satwa, Al Baraha and Al Yalayis centres
- Hatta and Al Lisaili centres
What the medical test covers
A blood test and a chest X-ray, screening for HIV and pulmonary tuberculosis. Domestic workers, teachers, healthcare and food-handling roles are screened for additional conditions such as hepatitis B.
- Mandatory for everyone aged 18 and above; under-18s are exempt
- No fasting required — bring your original passport and entry permit copy
- Pregnant applicants are exempt from the X-ray and complete the blood test only
- Since 2025, clean-history renewals in Dubai may qualify for blood test only
Standard, express and VIP lanes
Standard DHA screening runs roughly AED 250–320 with results in about 24 hours. Express and Smart Salem VIP lanes cost around AED 700–1,000 and can release results the same day — sometimes within 30 minutes — which matters when a stamping deadline is close.
Frequently asked
Send us your location on WhatsApp and we will point you to the closest approved centre — and tell you whether it also does Emirates ID biometrics, so you only travel once.
Yes at Al Nahda and Al Muhaisnah, which handle DHA medical fitness and ICP biometrics in one visit. Most other centres do one or the other.
Standard screening is roughly AED 250–320 with results in about 24 hours. VIP and express lanes run about AED 700–1,000 with same-day, sometimes 30-minute, results.
No. Eat and drink normally — just bring your original passport and a copy of the entry permit or visa application.
Ninety days from issue. The visa application must be completed inside that window or the test has to be repeated.
No. Pregnant applicants complete the blood test only and the X-ray is deferred until after delivery. Tell the centre at check-in and carry a pregnancy confirmation letter.
It depends on the finding. Old or healed TB scarring usually leads to a conditional fitness certificate with a one-year visa and follow-up, while certain infectious conditions make an applicant ineligible. A confirmatory re-test can be requested within the appeal window — we advise discreetly on individual cases.
Children of every age need an Emirates ID, including newborns, but fingerprints are only captured from age 15 — younger children do not attend the biometrics appointment.
Usually about 48 hours after biometrics, plus delivery. The urgent Fawri service issues the card within 24 hours for an extra AED 150.
Government medical centres accept walk-ins but queues are long at peak hours. Smart Salem and the VIP lanes are appointment-based. We book the slot for you as part of the visa file.