How to work as a doctor in the UAE: DHA, DOH and MOHAP licensing (2026)

Official fees: AED 200plus 3 that vary
Steps: 5from degree to licence
Language: English: all licensing exams are in English. Arabic is not required.
Planning time: Often 3–6 months to the eligibility letter if your documents are in order; the licence follows a job offer
Our estimate, not official

Where did you qualify?

Outside the EU and English-speaking countries EU, EEA or Switzerland UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand

This is your route. Collect your internship and experience certificates early – the verification is usually the slowest part.

Step by step

Each fee links to the page we took it from.

1

Check your eligibility
free at DHA

Use the authority's free self-assessment (DHA Sheryan) to see whether your qualification and experience meet the requirements for your title. Source
2

Apply to the authority
AED 200 at DHA

Open an application with the authority of the emirate where you want to work: Sheryan for DHA, TAMM for DOH, the MOHAP portal for the northern emirates. DOH and MOHAP charge their own fees. Source
3

Primary source verification
paid to DataFlow

DataFlow checks your diploma, licence and experience directly with the issuers. A report made for one UAE authority can be transferred to another. Source
4

Pass the licensing exam
paid to the exam provider

A computer-based test in English – at DHA with Prometric, at DOH with Pearson VUE. Some titles have an oral assessment instead. No translator is allowed. Source
5

Get a job and activate your licence
paid by the employer

After the exam you receive an eligibility letter (DHA: valid for one year). The licence is activated by a licensed employer, who pays the licence fee and arranges your visa. Source

Not included: courses, translations, travel, visas and living costs.

Practise with someone who passed

One-to-one online sessions with doctors who sat these exams themselves – they know what the examiners want.

DHA – Dubai tutors →DOH – Abu Dhabi tutors →MOH – UAE tutors →

Study materials

Official practice tests, books and courses for each exam, checked on the publisher's or exam body's own page.

DHA – Dubai materials →DOH – Abu Dhabi materials →MOH – UAE materials →

Stories from people who took this route

No story here yet. Took this route yourself? Share your story – it helps the next person more than any brochure.

Agencies that help with this route

No agency listed for this route yet.

Recruiter, school or consultant for doctors in the UAE? List your agency.

Questions

How many times can I sit the exam?

Three attempts across the UAE authorities, plus one last attempt with a different authority. Cancelling or missing an exam is not counted as a failed attempt, but the fee is not refunded.

Do I need a job offer first?

Not to apply or to sit the exam. The licence itself is only activated by a licensed employer.

Which authority should I choose?

The one for the emirate where you want to work: DHA for Dubai, DOH for Abu Dhabi, MOHAP for the other northern emirates. The qualification requirements are the same.

Sources

Last checked 29 October 2026. Fees and rules change – always confirm with the regulator before you pay. PassPeers is independent and not affiliated with any regulator or exam provider.