Your Gateway to Dubai: The Ultimate DHA License Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Imagine finishing your shift and heading out to enjoy the pristine beaches of Jumeirah or dining under the lights of the Burj Khalifa. For many healthcare professionals, Dubai isn’t just a travel destination; it is a career goal. The region offers tax-free salaries, a high standard of living, and state-of-the-art medical facilities.

However, there is one major gatekeeper between you and your dream job in Dubai: The DHA License.

Moving to Dubai without this license is risky. You generally cannot touch a patient or practice your profession legally without it. Whether you are a surgeon, a nurse, a dentist, or an allied health technician, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires you to prove your skills and safety before you enter the workforce. This guide will break down the entire process into simple, manageable steps. We have analyzed the latest regulations to ensure you have the most accurate roadmap to your new life in the UAE.

Key Takeaways

• Mandatory Requirement: You cannot work clinically in Dubai without a DHA license.
• The Process: It involves an eligibility check, document verification (Dataflow), a Prometric exam, and securing a job offer.
• Timeframe: The entire process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks.
• Validity: Your initial “Eligibility Letter” is valid for one year, giving you time to find a job.
• Support: Nova Voya can handle the entire application process for you to ensure zero errors.

What is a DHA License?

The short answer: It is your legal permit to practice medicine in Dubai.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the government body responsible for the Emirate of Dubai’s health sector. Their goal is to transform Dubai into a global healthcare hub by ensuring efficiency, excellence, and patient safety.

To achieve this, they issue a license to qualified professionals. This isn’t just a piece of paper; it is proof that your education, experience, and skills meet the strict standards of the UAE. According to DHA statistics, the number of applicants has risen significantly (over 80% growth in recent years), showing just how competitive and desirable this market has become.

Who Needs This License?

Virtually everyone involved in patient care needs a DHA license. This includes:

• General Practitioners (GPs) and Consultants.
• Nurses and Midwives.
• Dentists and Dental Specialists.
• Pharmacists.
• Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Lab Technicians, Dieticians).

Note: Even if you are already licensed in another country (including other Gulf countries), you still need to go through the DHA process to work specifically in Dubai.

The “Sheryan” System: Where It All Begins

Before we dive into the documents, you need to know about Sheryan.

Sheryan is the online licensing system provided by the DHA. Think of it as your digital headquarters. You will create an account here, upload your documents, pay your fees, and track your progress.

Action Step: You don’t need to do this right this second, but your first practical step will be visiting the DHA portal and registering an account. This is where you will eventually see your “Eligibility” status.

The Complete DHA Licensing Process Step-by-Step Guide

Getting licensed can feel like a maze. Let’s straighten it out into a clear path.

Step 1: The Self-Assessment (Eligibility Check)

Before you spend a single dollar, you need to know if you strictly qualify. The DHA has specific requirements regarding how many years of experience you need post-graduation.

• Go to the Sheryan Portal: Use the “Self Assessment” tool.
• Input Data: Enter your degree details, graduation date, and years of experience.
• Result: The system will tell you if you are “Eligible” to move forward.

Generally, most physicians and nurses need at least two years of clinical experience after their internship to qualify.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents (The Checklist)

You cannot start the application without your paperwork in order. If your scans are blurry or you are missing a page, your application will be rejected or delayed.

Required Documents Checklist:

• Passport: A clear color copy.
• Photo: Recent, white background.
• Educational Certificates: Your degree diploma and detailed transcripts.
• Internship Certificate: Essential for GPs and doctors.
• Experience Letters: Proof of employment for the required years (must be recent).
• Professional License: A valid license from your home country or current country of practice.
• Good Standing Certificate: This must be issued within the last 6 months by your licensing body.
• Offer Letter: (Only required for the final stage, not for the initial exam).

Pro Tip: Ensure all documents are in English or Arabic. If your original documents are in another language, you must get them legally translated.

Step 3: Primary Source Verification (PSV) via Dataflow

This is often the longest part of the process. The DHA does not just take your word for it; they hire a third-party company called the Dataflow Group to verify that your documents are real.

What happens here?

Dataflow will contact your university to confirm your degree. They will contact your previous hospitals to confirm that you actually worked there.

• Timeline: This usually takes 30 to 45 days.
• Cost: Approximately $150–$300 (depending on the number of documents).

You cannot skip this step. PSV aims to strictly examine the applicant’s identity and experience to ensure no fraudulent doctors enter the system.

Step 4: The CBT Assessment (Prometric Exam)

Once your Dataflow verification is underway or cleared (depending on current portal settings), you must prove your knowledge.

The Exam Details:

• Provider: Prometric (a global testing agency).
• Format: Computer-Based Testing (CBT).
• Structure: Typically 150 Multiple Choice Questions.
• Duration: 150 minutes (2.5 hours).
• Location: You can usually take this exam in your home country; you do not need to fly to Dubai to take the test.

Pass or Fail:

• If you pass: Great! You move to the next stage.
• If you fail: Don’t panic. You are allowed a maximum of 3 attempts total to pass. Important: This is not a “3 times per year” rule; it is a total limit for your current eligibility cycle. If you fail all three attempts, you may be required to wait a mandatory period or provide proof of additional training/qualifications before you can apply again.

Note on Oral Assessment:

While most professionals take the Prometric exam, some specific high-level specialties or rare cases might require an Oral Assessment. If this applies to you, you will be notified to choose an assessment date convenient for you to demonstrate your expertise in front of a panel.

Step 5: Getting Your Eligibility Letter

After you pass the exam and your Dataflow report is positive, the DHA will issue you an Eligibility Letter.

This is a huge milestone.

This letter confirms that you have met all the requirements to work in Dubai. It is valid for one year. You can now attach this letter to your CV and start applying for jobs. Hospitals love seeing this because it means they can hire you immediately without waiting for background checks.

Step 6: The Final License Activation

You have your Eligibility Letter, but you technically don’t have the license card yet.

To activate your full license, you need a job.

1. Secure a Job: You must receive an offer letter from a DHA-approved facility (hospital or clinic).
2. Employer Action: Your new employer will upload your offer letter, medical fitness test results, and malpractice insurance details to the Sheryan portal.
3. Payment: The final licensing fee (approx. AED 2,000 – 3,000) is paid.
4. Issuance: Your official DHA license is generated. You are now legally a medical practitioner in Dubai.

Need Help? Let Nova Voya Handle It

Does this process sound overwhelming? Between coordinating with Dataflow, booking Prometric exams, and ensuring every scan is perfect, it is easy to make a small mistake that delays your career by months.

Get DHA Licensed and Start Your Healthcare Career in Dubai!

We help doctors, nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals navigate the DHA licensing process, which is the essential first step to start working in Dubai.

Your Path to a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) License with Nova Voya is:

• Complete the Consultation Request Form: Fill out our short form so we can assess your background and goals.
• Personalized Eligibility Review: We assess your background and recommend the best path forward.
• We Handle the DHA Process: Our team manages all paperwork, payments, and submissions for you.
• Exam Preparation and Scheduling: We guide your DHA exam registration, provide quick and easy access to exam resources, and help you prepare to succeed.
• Get Your DHA Eligibility Letter: Receive your license to work in Dubai’s healthcare system.

Stop stressing about paperwork and focus on preparing for your new life in Dubai. Let us do the heavy lifting.

DHA License Cost Breakdown

Budgeting is important. Here is what you should expect to pay during the process. 

Note: Prices can vary slightly based on exchange rates and profession.

Service	Estimated Cost (USD/AED)
Sheryan Registration	Free to create account
Dataflow (PSV)	$150 – $300 USD
Prometric Exam	$110 – $150 USD
Eligibility Application	~200 AED
Final License Fee	2,000 – 3,000 AED
Re-verification (if needed)	$50 – $75 per document

DHA vs. DOH vs. MOH: What’s the Difference?

The UAE is made up of seven Emirates. The license you get depends on where in the UAE you want to work.

• DHA (Dubai Health Authority): Valid only in the Emirate of Dubai.
• DOH (Department of Health): Valid in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
• MOH (Ministry of Health): Valid in the Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain).

Can you transfer? Yes. If you have a DHA license, you can often convert it to a MOH or DOH license later without retaking the exam, provided you meet certain conditions. This makes the DHA license a powerful asset to have.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a DHA License

We want you to succeed on the first try. Avoid these common pitfalls that often lead to rejection:

1. Inconsistent Dates: Ensure the dates on your experience letters match your CV and passport stamps exactly. Gaps in employment need to be explained.
2. Bad Scans: Taking a photo of a document with your phone on a messy table often gets rejected. Use a proper scanner.
3. Missing Internship Proof: For doctors, proof of your internship is as important as your degree. Do not forget to upload it.
4. Applying too Early: Do not book your exam before you are sure you are eligible. It’s a waste of money if you are later found ineligible.

Conclusion

Obtaining a DHA license is the golden key to unlocking a rewarding career in Dubai. It offers you the chance to work in world-class facilities, earn a tax-free income, and enjoy a high quality of life.

While the process involves several steps, it is a structured path that thousands of professionals walk successfully every year. By following this guide and preparing your documents carefully, you are already ahead of the competition.

Check your eligibility, verify your documents, pass the exam, and find a job. It really is that logical.

Don’t let the paperwork scare you away from your dreams. Whether you handle it yourself or use a service like Nova Voya to fast-track your application, the effort is worth the reward.

What are your thoughts on moving to Dubai? Are you planning to apply as a doctor, nurse, or allied health professional? Let us know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions