You’ve decided to move to the UAE – maybe for a new job in Dubai, a family relocation to Abu Dhabi, or to set up a business in one of the free zones. Then the questions begin: what are the medical test for UAE visa applicants exactly? Do you really need to get your degree, marriage certificate, or birth certificate attested? What about medical insurance and visa stamping documents?

This guide brings everything together in one place. It explains, in clear language, what happens in the medical test for a UAE visa, which documents must be attested (and when), and how to avoid costly delays or refusals – with practical support available from First Elite Global every step of the way.

Why the UAE Requires Medical Tests and Attested Documents

The UAE’s immigration system is designed to protect public health and ensure that people entering on long-term visas are who they say they are and hold genuine qualifications.

• Medical tests are mandatory for almost everyone applying for or renewing a residence visa from age 18 upwards.
• Document attestation (legalisation) is required so that foreign documents such as degrees, marriage certificates and birth certificates are recognised as valid by UAE authorities.

Handled properly, these steps are straightforward. Handled badly, they can cause weeks of delay, visa refusals or problems later when you change jobs, sponsor family members or apply for a Golden Visa.

First Elite Global helps you get it right the first time – from booking your medical test in the right emirate to completing attestation chains in your home country and the UAE.

Who Actually Needs a UAE Visa Medical Test?

You do not normally take a medical test for short-term tourist or visit visas. The medical fitness exam is mainly for medium- and long-term residence visas.

You will generally need a medical fitness test if you are:

• Taking up employment in the UAE
• Obtaining a family residence visa (spouse, children, parents)
• Applying for a Golden Visa
• Switching status inside the UAE to a new residence permit
• Renewing an existing residence visa (normally every 2–10 years, depending on visa type)

Anyone aged 18 or above under a residence visa category should expect to undergo the test at an approved medical fitness centre.

What Kind of Medical Test for UAE Visa Applicants Is Done?

If you’re wondering “what tests are done for UAE visa applications?” the good news is that the process is standardised and quite quick.

Core medical tests for most UAE residence visas

Most applicants will undergo:

• Blood tests – to screen for certain communicable diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B/C, and often syphilis.
• Chest X-ray – to check for active tuberculosis (TB) or signs of previous serious lung disease.

Some health authorities and visa categories may add checks for leprosy or other infectious conditions, particularly in frontline, domestic or healthcare roles.

Extra tests for specific professions

For certain job categories, additional tests may be required. Examples can include:

• Hepatitis B screening and vaccination – common for:
  • Healthcare workers
  • Food handlers
  • Nursery and school staff
  • Domestic workers such as nannies and housemaids
• Pregnancy tests – especially for certain female categories before chest X-rays are carried out.

The exact test panel depends on:

• The emirate (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.)
• The health authority (DHA, SEHA, EHS, DOH)
• Your profession and visa category

First Elite Global checks the current rules for your job title, emirate and sponsor so you’re not surprised on the day.

What Happens in the Medical Test for a UAE Visa?

If you are asking “what happens in medical test for UAE visa?”, here’s the typical step-by-step experience.

1. Booking your appointment

You’ll either:

• Book online through the emirate’s health authority or Emirates Health Services (EHS) portal, often using UAE PASS, or
• Use an authorised typing centre or your PRO/HR team, who book on your behalf.

You’ll be given a location, date and usually a time window.

2. Documents to bring

Most centres ask for:

• Original passport (valid at least six months)
• Entry permit / e-Visa copy (for new visas)
• Emirates ID or application form (for renewals/change of status)
• One recent passport-size photo on a white background
• Proof of medical insurance or insurance card, if you already have it

Your centre or agent will confirm the exact list in advance.

3. Registration and payment

At the centre, staff will:

1. Check your ID and visa details
2. Create or confirm your medical file
3. Take your photo and sometimes basic vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure)
4. Collect payment for the test and any express service

4. Blood test

A nurse or phlebotomist will draw a small amount of blood from your arm. This is used for:

• HIV screening
• Hepatitis B/C screening (and occasionally other markers)
• Syphilis or related tests, depending on the panel

The procedure is quick and usually takes just a few minutes.

5. Chest X-ray

You’ll then have a chest X-ray to screen for tuberculosis and other lung abnormalities.

• You may be asked to remove jewellery and wear a light gown.
• Pregnant women are normally screened using different protocols or may require a pregnancy test beforehand.

6. Results and “fit/unfit” status

Your results are usually:

• Issued within 24–72 hours (or faster with VIP/express packages)
• Sent electronically to immigration systems and your PRO/HR team
• Provided as a Medical Fitness Certificate, needed for visa stamping and Emirates ID procedures

If all is clear, you are declared “Medically Fit”. If the tests indicate certain serious communicable diseases, you may be marked “Unfit”, which can affect your ability to obtain a residence visa. The rules and appeal options depend on the condition and emirate; a specialist immigration and medical advisor is strongly recommended in these cases.

Medical Tests and Visa Types: Employment, Family and Golden Visa

Different visa types follow the same core medical screening, but the context is slightly different.

Employment visas

For most employees:

• Medical fitness test is mandatory before visa stamping.
• You need a “Fit” result to proceed with Emirates ID and residence visa stamping.
• Employers must provide health insurance as part of the visa process in many emirates, and in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this is a legal requirement.

Family residence visas

When sponsoring family members (spouse, children, parents):

• Family members 18+ must pass the medical fitness test.
• Sponsors must prove they meet salary and accommodation requirements and provide attested family documents (marriage and birth certificates – more on this below).

Golden Visa and long-term residence

Golden Visa applicants follow the same medical screening rules as standard residence visa holders, with the added layer of proving investments, high-level employment or exceptional talent. Health insurance and a clean medical fitness certificate are still essential.

How to Get Medical Insurance for Visitor Visa in UAE

Short-term visitors typically don’t undergo a medical test, but they do need medical insurance.

Is medical insurance compulsory for a UAE visit visa?

• For many categories of visit and tourist visas, you must show proof of travel medical insurance when applying, especially if you need a visa in advance rather than visa-on-arrival.
• Authorities have increasingly linked visit visas with mandatory visitor health insurance, particularly for longer-stay and multi-entry visas.

Even where not strictly enforced, medical insurance is strongly recommended because private healthcare in the UAE can be expensive.

How to arrange medical insurance for a UAE visitor visa

You can:

1. Add insurance when applying for a visa through airlines, travel agencies or online visa portals (it’s often built into the package).
2. Purchase a dedicated visitor health plan from UAE insurers, which typically cover emergency medical costs up to a defined limit (for example, AED 150,000).
3. Use an international travel insurance policy that explicitly lists the UAE as covered and meets the minimum requirements for your visa type.

First Elite Global can bundle compliant visitor or residence-linked insurance into your visa package so you don’t accidentally fall short of the requirements.

Is Attestation Mandatory for a UAE Visa?

This is one of the biggest areas of confusion.

Attestation is a formal process that verifies that a document from one country will be accepted as legally valid in another. For the UAE, this normally involves:

1. Verification in the country of origin (e.g. notary, education board or local foreign ministry)
2. UAE Embassy/Consulate attestation in that country
3. MOFAIC attestation inside the UAE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

While not every visa requires attested documents, many key situations do.

Is Degree Certificate Attestation Required for UAE Visa?

For most skilled employment roles, the answer is yes:

• Employers and free zones often require attested educational certificates to obtain or renew an employment visa.
• If you later apply for a Certificate of Equivalency from the UAE Ministry of Education – essential for many professional roles and some Golden Visa categories – attestation of your degree is a core step.

If your degree is not attested correctly, you may:

• Be unable to secure certain job titles
• Face delays when changing employers
• Hit obstacles with licence applications and long-term visas

First Elite Global coordinates the full attestation chain for degrees, diplomas and transcripts, including home-country ministries, UAE embassies and MOFAIC, so that your qualifications are ready for employment, licensing and Golden Visa applications.

Is Birth Certificate Attestation Required for UAE Visa?

Birth certificate attestation becomes crucial when:

• Sponsoring children for a family residence visa
• Proving the age and parentage of a child born outside the UAE
• Handling school admissions or specific legal procedures

For example, many family visa stamping processes require an attested birth certificate for children, together with the sponsor’s documents and tenancy contract.

If a child is born in the UAE, you will need the UAE birth certificate; if they were born abroad, attestation of the foreign birth certificate is usually required.

How to Attest a Marriage Certificate for UAE Visa Sponsorship

When sponsoring a spouse, an attested marriage certificate is almost always required. The standard route is:

1. Local legalisation in the country where the marriage certificate was issued (for example, by a foreign ministry or equivalent authority).
2. UAE Embassy/Consulate attestation in that country.
3. MOFAIC attestation once the document is in the UAE.

Without proper attestation, your spouse’s visa application can be delayed or rejected.

First Elite Global works with trusted partners worldwide to manage these steps end-to-end, so you don’t need to ship original documents back and forth multiple times.

What Are the Documents Required for a UAE Residence Visa?

The exact list varies by emirate and visa category, but you should expect the following core items for most residence visa and stamping applications:

Standard documents (most residence visas)

• Valid passport (usually 6+ months’ validity)
• Entry permit / e-Visa approval
• Recent passport-size photos (white background)
• Medical fitness certificate from an approved centre
• Emirates ID application or ID card (for renewals)
• Proof of health insurance
• Sponsor’s Emirates ID and passport (for family visas)

Extra documents for UAE employment visas

In addition to the above, employment visas typically require:

• Employment contract / job offer
• Work permit or MOHRE approval
• Company trade licence or free zone licence
• Attested educational certificates, where relevant to the job role

Extra documents for family residence visas (spouse & children)

Sponsors should prepare:

• Attested marriage certificate (for spouse)
• Attested birth certificates (for children)
• Tenancy contract / Ejari
• Proof of income meeting the minimum salary threshold
• Bank IBAN and sometimes salary certificates or labour contracts

Documents required for UAE visa stamping

When you reach the final visa stamping stage, authorities or Amer centres will typically ask for:

• Passport and entry permit
• Medical result
• Emirates ID application
• Medical insurance card or certificate
• Sponsor’s Emirates ID
• Passport photos

Some services now also request a copy of the outer cover page of your passport with visa applications as part of enhanced security checks.

First Elite Global prepares a tailored checklist for your specific visa type, emirate and family situation, so nothing is overlooked.

What Are the Documents Required for UAE Employment Visa?

To answer the specific search query “what are the documents required for UAE employment visa?”, here’s a consolidated view:

From the employer:

• Valid trade licence (or free zone licence)
• Company establishment card
• Work permit / MOHRE approval
• Signed employment contract

From the employee:

• Valid passport (6+ months)
• Passport-size photographs
• Attested educational certificates (if required for the role)
• Medical fitness report
• Health insurance
• Emirates ID application / biometrics appointment proof

What Are the Documents Required for Visa Stamping in UAE?

For the widely searched question “what are the documents required for visa stamping in UAE?”, most applicants will need:

• Valid passport
• Entry permit / e-Visa
• Medical examination results / fitness certificate
• Emirates ID application receipt
• Medical insurance card or application
• Sponsor’s Emirates ID (family visas)
• Passport-size photos
• IBAN or bank details of the sponsor (for certain family visas)

Using an experienced visa partner such as First Elite Global ensures that any emirate-specific or free zone-specific extras are included before submission.

Is Affidavit of Support Required for Tourist Visa in UAE?

This is another common point of confusion.

• For a standard tourist visa, an affidavit of support is generally not required.
• However, if a relative or friend in the UAE is sponsoring your visit (rather than an airline or hotel package), authorities or consulates may request an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee to prove that the visitor will be financially supported during their stay.

In those cases, the UAE-based sponsor needs to show:

• Emirates ID and residency proof
• Salary certificate or bank statements
• Tenancy contract or hotel booking
• Proof of relationship (birth or marriage certificates, often attested)

First Elite Global can guide both the visitor and the local sponsor on whether an affidavit is advisable in your situation and help prepare and notarise the document correctly.

How First Elite Global Simplifies the Entire Process

Rather than dealing separately with medical centres, attestation offices, embassies, MOFAIC, insurers, and visa portals, First Elite Global can manage the process as a single, joined-up journey:

• Booking your medical fitness test at the right approved centre
• Advising you on what do they check in medical for UAE visa for your specific job category
• Arranging compliant visitor or residence health insurance
• Handling degree, marriage, birth certificate attestation end-to-end
• Coordinating certificate of equivalency where needed for jobs or Golden Visa applications
• Preparing all visa stamping documents and tracking applications until the residence visa is issued

If you’d like to avoid guesswork, simply share your situation (employment, family sponsorship, investment or Golden Visa), and a First Elite Global consultant will map out a clear, personalised route from today’s status to a stamped visa in your passport.

FAQ: UAE Visa Medical Tests & Document Attestation

1. What are the medical test for UAE visa applicants in 2025?

Most residence visa applicants aged 18 and above undergo:

• Blood tests (commonly for HIV, hepatitis B/C and sometimes syphilis)
• Chest X-ray to screen for tuberculosis
• Additional tests for specific professions, such as hepatitis B screening or pregnancy tests for certain categories.

Requirements can vary slightly by emirate and job category, so always check current rules before booking.

2. Do I need a medical test for a UAE tourist or visit visa?

No. Short-term tourist and visit visas generally do not require a medical fitness test. However, medical insurance is usually mandatory if you need a visa in advance and strongly recommended for all visitors, including those who receive visa-on-arrival.

3. Is attestation mandatory for all documents when applying for a UAE visa?

Not every document needs attestation, but key documents usually do, including:

• Educational certificates used for skilled employment
• Marriage certificates used for spouse sponsorship
• Birth certificates used for child sponsorship

Attestation generally involves the issuing country’s authorities, the UAE embassy abroad, and MOFAIC inside the UAE.

4. What are the documents required for UAE residence visa stamping?

Typical documents include:

• Valid passport and entry permit
• Medical fitness results
• Emirates ID application
• Proof of medical insurance
• Sponsor’s Emirates ID (for family visas)
• Passport photos and sometimes IBAN of the sponsor

Some services also now request a copy of the outer cover page of your passport.

5. How do I get medical insurance for a UAE visit visa?

You can obtain travel medical insurance:

• Directly from UAE or international insurers offering visitor health plans
• Through airlines or travel agencies when you apply for the visa
• Via a comprehensive travel insurance policy that meets UAE requirements

The policy should cover emergency medical treatment in the UAE for the full duration of your stay.

6. Is an affidavit of support required for tourist visa in UAE?

Generally, no for standard tourist visas. However, where a resident family member or friend is sponsoring the visit directly, authorities may request an affidavit of support and guarantee to prove the sponsor’s financial responsibility.