How to obtain a medical practice license in Dubai?

In the UAE, there are several government entities overseeing the healthcare sector. These include the Ministry of Health, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD). These entities issue licenses to doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. Each entity operates in a specific region. DHA covers Dubai, HAAD covers Abu Dhabi, and the Ministry of Health licenses doctors in all other emirates.

How to Get a DHA License in Dubai

In Dubai, as well as throughout the UAE, every organization or individual needs to obtain a license to engage in professional activities. Medical practice is also subject to licensing, so it is important to know how to obtain a license for medical practice in Dubai. To do this, one should approach the local health authority.

In this Arab country, doctors from former Soviet Union countries are highly valued. They are especially appreciated for their good knowledge and accurate diagnosis. If a medical professional is truly competent, they will be offered the opportunity to practice in the United Arab Emirates, with a generous remuneration package. However, employment of medical workers in the country is a relatively lengthy process with many nuances.

To apply for a DHA license, one needs to pass an exam. To do this, one must register on the official healthcare management portal. There, the applicant fills in all the required information personally. The interface is well thought out and user-friendly, so there should be no difficulties.

On the portal, documents necessary for medical practice will need to be uploaded. The specific documents required will become clear during the registration process. The system will provide automatic prompts, as the document package will differ depending on qualifications and desired job location. It is important to carefully fill in all sections and not to skip anything.

The next step for a medical worker is to obtain a Good Standing Certificate. This is a mandatory document to start working as a doctor in Dubai.

All documents must be translated to apply for a medical practice permit. If there are English versions available, this step can be skipped. Translation is allowed in both Arabic and English, but the first option is preferable because the second is only suitable for electronic registration and application for exam attendance. Later, for consular legalization, documents in Arabic will still be required.

Next, the fee must be paid, which is done by purchasing a UAE e-Dirham card. If you are in the Emirates, this is done directly at the department, while in other cases, it can be done through the Ministry of Finance and Interior portal or partner bank websites. If an error is made, the application process will need to be repeated, and the fee will need to be paid again.

After this, department specialists begin reviewing the documents. This is a fairly lengthy process, sometimes taking more than a month. If there are any issues with the documents, the system will notify the user. If there are no questions about the documents, an invitation to take an exam to confirm the necessary knowledge for practice will be issued.

To demonstrate one's knowledge, it is not necessary to fly to Dubai or another emirate. Exams are administered by the international company Prometric Worldwide, which has offices in various cities worldwide. Test results will be available online.

To obtain permission, a fee must be paid. After this, the department will send an electronic version of the license. After receiving this, one can start employment.

How to Obtain a Doctor's License in Dubai

In the UAE, several medical degrees are available:

• General Practitioner / General Dentist – attained after completing internship with two years of experience.
• Specialist – a doctor with a master's or doctoral degree or residency training, with three years of experience.
• Consultant – the highest degree, but not available to specialists from most countries, including those from the CIS.

To begin medical practice, the following documents are required:

• Photograph
• Passport
• Diploma
• Diploma supplement
• Postgraduate education documents (if any)
• Work experience certificate (two years for general practice, three years for specialists)
• Surgical operation report (for surgeons)
• Registration certificate from one's home country
• Good Standing certificate
• Document regarding name change (if applicable)
• Consent for personal information processing

Postgraduate medical education refers to master's, doctoral degrees, or specialty diplomas.

The Level Consulting Agency can assist in obtaining the Good Standing certificate and legalizing it in the UAE. Additionally, they offer advisory services and can handle the payment of government fees for exam registration. All services are conducted in accordance with the law.

However, obtaining a license is just the first step; finding employment is also necessary. The Level Consulting can assist with job placement as well.

It is relatively easy for medical professionals to find employment in the UAE, but they must be genuinely skilled. Qualifications must be verified by providing documents and passing an exam.