How to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa as a Doctor or Healthcare Professional via DHA (2025 Guide)
This article covers how you can apply for the Golden Visa as Licensed doctors and healthcare professionals in the UAE through the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Learn about eligibility, required documents, timelines, and how EZONE can support your 10-year residency journey.
UAE Golden Visa for Doctors or Healthcare Professionals
The UAE grants a 10-year renewable Golden Visa to distinguished healthcare professionals as part of its commitment to strengthening the national healthcare system. This includes doctors, nurses, dentists, and allied medical specialists who hold valid UAE licenses and are employed at licensed medical facilities.
Importantly, this Golden Visa category is available only to applicants already licensed and employed within the UAE healthcare sector. Applicants must also have their academic degrees attested and equivalized by the Ministry of Education.
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Eligibility Criteria for Healthcare Professionals
To qualify for the UAE Golden Visa under the healthcare professional category, the applicant must:
- Hold a valid UAE healthcare license from one of the following:
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH)
- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)
- Be employed at a licensed UAE-based medical institution with a valid contract
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a healthcare-related field
- Have a degree equivalency certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Education
- Hold a police clearance certificate (Good Conduct Certificate)
- Have valid UAE health insurance coverage
Note: There is currently no publicly stated minimum number of years of experience for doctors applying for the Golden Visa via DHA or DOH. Some categories (such as technical staff) in Abu Dhabi may have experience thresholds.
Salary Requirement: There is no fixed basic salary threshold publicly confirmed by the UAE authorities for healthcare professionals. However, many successful applicants report having salaries of AED 20,000–30,000+. Salary verification is part of the case-by-case evaluation.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Ensure Licensing and Employment
The applicant must already be:
- Licensed by DHA, DOH, or MOHAP
- Employed by a licensed UAE healthcare facility
Step 2: Obtain Degree Equivalency Certificate
Your foreign academic degree must be attested and submitted to the UAE Ministry of Education for equivalency. This involves:
- Legalization of diplomas and transcripts
- Attestation fromthe country of origin and the UAE MOFA
- Primary Source Verification (PSV) through DataFlow
- Online application on the MOE portal
Timeline: 2–4 weeks, depending on the country of issuance
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Emirates ID and UAE residence visa
- DHA/DOH/MOHAP professional license
- Valid employment contract
- Salary certificate and last 6 months’ bank statements
- Attested and equivalized degree certificate
- Passport-sized photo (white background)
- Police clearance certificate
- Valid health insurance card
- Medical fitness test report from UAE-approved clinic
Step 4: Submit Golden Visa Application
Depending on jurisdiction:
- Submit through GDRFA Dubai (for DHA professionals)
- Submit via ICP (for professionals in other emirates)
The process includes background checks, medical testing, biometric enrollment, Emirates ID issuance, and visa stamping.
UAE Golden Visa Estimated Timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Degree Equivalency & Attestation | 2–4 weeks |
| Document Preparation | 2–3 days |
| Visa Application & Processing | 1–2 weeks |
| Total Estimated Timeframe | 3–6 weeks |
How EZONE Supports Healthcare Professionals
Let EZONE, a business setup services provider in Dubai, ensure your application is smooth and complete, offering:
- End-to-end support for degree attestation and equivalency
- Custom document checklist and formatting
- Salary verification and license validation
- Application submission via ICP or GDRFA
- Scheduling of medical and biometric appointments
- Pick-up and drop-off for medical and Emirates ID
- Full tracking and follow-up of your Golden Visa status
Start Your Golden Visa Journey with EZONE
If you’re a licensed healthcare professional in the UAE looking to secure your 10-year residency, EZONE is here to simplify the process.
