Health tourism
Coming to the UAE for medical care
If you live abroad and are thinking about diagnostics, a second opinion or treatment in the UAE, the planning starts well before your flight. A UAE hospital usually sponsors your entry, and you can check the facility yourself.
In short
- Foreign patients enter under the sponsorship of a licensed medical establishment.
- You can check UAE hospitals in the public DHA and DoH lookups, and in JCI’s accreditation list.
- In Dubai, DHA rules allow a teleconsultation before you travel, but procedures happen in person.
- medicAI’s care managers can explain the options. The hospital you choose provides your care.
Patient entry permits
The UAE government portal explains that foreign patients enter under the sponsorship of a medical establishment, which must be a licensed, registered hospital. In Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) issues the permit, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) covers Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates. The portal lists these as typical documents:
- A copy of your passport. GDRFA asks for validity of at least 6 months.
- A medical report.
- A personal photo.
- A letter from the sponsoring hospital.
- Health insurance.
A companion can usually come with you, on a matching visa type, and their permit depends on yours. Rules can change, and they can differ by nationality, so confirm yours with the hospital before you book anything.
Checking a UAE hospital
Licences here are easy to check, and it is worth doing even if a hospital has been recommended to you.
- Dubai: search the Dubai Medical Registry from DHA. An entry can show the facility’s specialties, accreditations and medical director, and you can look up individual doctors.
- Abu Dhabi: use Find a Health Facility from DoH on TAMM.
- International accreditation: search JCI’s list of accredited organisations. Accreditation means the organisation was assessed against a set of standards, but CDC points out that it does not guarantee a good outcome.
What Dubai’s rules say about pre-travel care
An appendix to DHA’s telehealth standard covers medical tourism directly. A DHA licensed physician can hold a teleconsultation before you travel, covering your history, your risks and whether treatment in Dubai suits you, with your explicit informed consent. All procedures must then be done in person, by UAE licensed professionals at DHA licensed facilities. Limited telehealth follow-up is allowed after treatment.
Virtual second opinions are also recognised. These are advisory, so a specialist can guide you but does not issue a prescription or medical order that way.
Planning your records and return home
Send your reports and scans before you travel, translated if needed. Before you leave the UAE, ask for copies of all your records, your discharge summary and a list of your medicines, and arrange follow-up with your doctor at home. If you need urgent care while you are here, call 998.
What medicAI can do
medicAI lists the UAE for diagnostics, second opinions and follow-ups, with support for patients visiting the country. A care manager reviews your reports, suggests hospitals and specialists to look at, and coordinates visas, travel, admission and follow-up. Hospitals are independent, licensed by their regulators, and responsible for your care. See how treatment abroad works.
Questions people ask
Do I need a medical visa to come to the UAE for treatment?
The UAE government portal describes patient entry permits, issued under the sponsorship of a licensed hospital. Ask the hospital which route suits your nationality and how long you will be staying.
Can someone come with me?
The UAE government portal describes a companion visa that is tied to the patient’s visa type and length. Ask your sponsoring hospital to confirm the current rules for your companion.
Can I talk to a doctor in Dubai before I travel?
Yes. DHA’s telehealth standard allows a licensed physician to hold a pre-travel teleconsultation, with your informed consent. All procedures must then be done in person in Dubai.
Sources and further reading
- Patient and companion entry permits (UAE Government)
- Issuing a Medical Visa for one or several entries (GDRFA Dubai)
- Standards for Telehealth Services, Version 4 (DHA)
- Dubai Medical Registry (DHA)
- Find a Health Facility (TAMM)
- Find Accredited International Organizations (JCI)
- Medical Tourism: Travel to Another Country for Medical Care (CDC)
Read next
medicAI is not for emergencies. If someone is seriously ill or injured, call 998 or go to the nearest hospital.
This page is general information. It does not replace advice from a doctor who knows your situation. medicAI is a technology platform. Care is given by independent licensed facilities, who are responsible for it and for its outcome.
