Dubai has launched a new Dubai unified health screening service that merges residency medical fitness exams and occupational health checks into a single, profession-aware application and a one-visit journey. The move cuts repeat visits, speeds up visa issuance and links health results automatically across government systems — a step aimed at improving convenience for residents and efficiency for authorities.
Table of Contents
One-visit process
Dubai’s unified system replaces separate processes for visa medicals and occupational health cards with a single digital application that determines required tests by profession. Applicants book one appointment at an authorised medical fitness centre, complete all necessary tests — nursing checks, doctor evaluation, blood tests and chest X-ray — and have results routed automatically to immigration and licensing authorities. Once the results are clear, residency visas are issued without further manual steps.
Government partners
The initiative is led by the Dubai Health Authority and delivered through cross-government coordination under Dubai’s City Makers programme. Key partners include the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs — Dubai, Dubai Municipality, the General Secretariat of the Executive Council and the Department of Finance. Officials say the platform standardises data exchange and supports preventive health planning for the emirate.
Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality: “The service marks a qualitative leap in advancing integration between government systems through unified processes and smartly connected databases. This enables Dubai Municipality’s inspection teams to access accurate, real-time information during inspection operations, ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety standards, strengthening proactive prevention, and enhancing response readiness in emergency situations.
Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), said: “The Unified Health Screening service marks a qualitative leap in the development of joint government services by unifying procedures and integrating systems of relevant entities. This contributes to simplifying the customer journey and elevating the quality of services. This service reflects collaboration between government entities under the ‘City Makers’ initiative and aligns with Dubai’s vision to deliver smart and proactive services. It contributes to strengthening the readiness of the healthcare system and reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading model in the development of integrated government services.”
The launch statement links the project to Dubai’s broader strategic agenda, citing the City Makers initiative and alignment with the emirate’s Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Authorities described the service as supporting preventive health planning and responding to population and economic growth demands
Service locations
The service is already live at Dubai Health’s network of medical fitness centres. Key locations include Al Karama, Al Nahda, Bur Dubai, Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Al Garhoud, Za’abeel and the Smart Salem Centres — eight centres initially offering the unified workflow, with the wider network covering more sites and premium/fast-track options at selected locations. Turnaround options range from same-day to expedited VIP results in selected centres.
Applicant requirements
- Apply once through the unified platform and select your profession.
- Bring a passport, a photo and the employer/visa documents required for medical fitness. Centre-specific lists are on Dubai Health’s site.
- Expect standard residency tests (blood work, TB chest X-ray, doctor assessment); some jobs may require extra checks.
- Ask about fast-track options (Smart Salem VIP) where available, for quicker results.
The unified screening is part of a broader UAE and Dubai drive to digitise health licensing, records and licensing systems — aligning with earlier paperless and unified-licensing moves. The platform complements national plans for unified professional licensing and single electronic medical records across the emirate.
The officials said the launch is part of the emirate’s ongoing programme to integrate government services and improve customer experience, noting the initiative’s role in meeting the demands of Dubai’s growing economy and population under the D33 policy framework.
