Golden Visa for Doctors

Welcome back to Lawgical, where we untangle the legal knots so that you don’t have to. I’m Ludmila Yamalova, a US-qualified lawyer based in Dubai. In each episode, we break down complex law into clear, practical insights that you can actually understand and use.

Today’s episode is one that many doctors—and indeed many of our firm’s clients—have been asking about: the UAE’s Golden Visa for medical professionals.

This visa offers 10-year renewable residency without the need for a local sponsor. But while it sounds like the golden ticket, there are a few legal fine prints worth dissecting, especially if you’re a doctor with foreign qualifications. So let’s begin, as always, with the law.

Now let’s start with the legal framework. The Golden Visa is rooted in Federal Decree Law No. 29 of 2021, officially titled the UAE Entry and Residence of Foreigners Law. This law created the legal categories and criteria for long-term residence visas for select individuals such as investors, entrepreneurs, creative talent, and—relevant to today’s topic—skilled professionals such as doctors. While the law is federal in nature, its application and enforcement are localized.

Each emirate processes Golden Visa applications through its own immigration authority. For example, in Dubai, the responsible authority is the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). In Abu Dhabi, applications are handled by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). In Sharjah and other emirates, it’s also ICP, but typically via a local authorized typing center.

The purpose of the Golden Visa is to recognize and retain the UAE’s most valued residents. And when it comes to value, few professions rank higher than healthcare. For doctors, the Golden Visa offers a number of tangible benefits:

1. 10-year renewable residency.
2. No local sponsor required.
3. Freedom to work across hospitals or clinics.
4. Self-sponsored status, independent of your employer.
5. Ability to sponsor family members, including spouse, children, and even parents, regardless of age.
6. Freedom to stay outside of the UAE for over six months without risking cancellation of the visa.

From a national perspective, this program helps attract highly qualified professionals and signals the UAE’s commitment to world-class healthcare. However, here’s the critical detail: while the Golden Visa is positioned as an international recruitment tool, in practice, it is currently only available to doctors with UAE-based experience. Doctors with only foreign experience are not eligible—at least for now.

So how does it work and how does it apply throughout the UAE? In practice, it depends on the emirate where you’re based. While the criteria for eligibility are federally set, the application process, requirements, and enforcement differ across the emirates. Each emirate has its own health authority and different interpretations of what documents are acceptable, such as salary certificates and no objection certificates (NOCs).

For example, Dubai applicants must go through the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and GDRFA. In Abu Dhabi, applicants go through the Department of Health (DOH) and ICP, usually via the TAM platform. In other emirates, applications are processed through the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and ICP.

Your application pathway depends on where your license was issued, where you work, and which health authority governs your practice.

Let’s now talk through the step-by-step requirements for doctors applying for the Golden Visa. We’ll use Dubai as a model, but these apply with variations across all emirates.

Requirement 1: A valid license from the relevant health authority in the emirate where you apply. In Dubai, this means a DHA license; in Abu Dhabi, a DOH license; and in other emirates, a MoHAP license. In Dubai, licensing is managed through the Sheryan Portal. The process includes a self-assessment test, data flow verification, a computer-based test (CBT), and possibly an oral assessment.

Exam exemptions may apply depending on where your medical degree was issued. Graduates from the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and select EU states may benefit from reduced or waived testing. Graduates from Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe typically undergo full testing, including CBT and oral assessments.

Requirement 2: Work experience. Doctors must have at least two years of UAE-based experience at a licensed hospital or clinic. This requirement excludes many foreign-trained doctors and is currently one of the most limiting factors.

Requirement 3: Salary. You must earn at least AED 30,000 monthly. There is confusion about whether this refers to the basic salary stated in the labor contract or the actual total monthly income. In practice, authorities often accept total regular income above AED 30,000, even if the contract lists a lower basic salary. Supporting documents include bank statements and WPS records.

Requirement 4: Employment contract. You must submit a government-issued employment contract—not just a private agreement. This can be from MoHRE (for mainland clinics) or from a free zone authority.

Requirement 5: No Objection Certificate (NOC). Despite the Golden Visa offering independence from employers, doctors currently still need an NOC from their employer. This can be problematic, as some employers may hesitate to issue it. Nonetheless, it remains a requirement for now.

Requirement 6: Bank statements. You must provide six months of UAE-based personal bank statements showing regular income. This demonstrates financial stability. Income paid to foreign bank accounts may not be accepted.

Additional Requirements

• Copy of valid passport (minimum 6-month validity)
• Passport-sized photos
• Valid health insurance (minimum one-year coverage)
• Medical fitness certificate from a UAE-approved clinic
• Experience certificate from the licensing authority (if applicable)
• In Abu Dhabi, endorsement from DOH via the TAM platform

Education certificates must be attested and legalized, though an equivalency certificate is not always required. The process includes notarization in the country of issue, UAE embassy attestation, and final legalization by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Though not currently mandatory for doctors, an equivalency certificate may become a future requirement, as seen with other professions. This process is managed through the DataFlow group and includes curriculum verification.

Application Process & Fees

• Apply via the ICP portal, GDRFA website, TAM platform, or authorized typing centers.
• Fees range from AED 2,800 to AED 10,000 depending on the emirate and number of dependents.
• Processing time: 7 to 15 working days (often even faster).

Importantly, you do not need to cancel your current visa before applying. Once approved, you can switch to the Golden Visa without disrupting your status. You may also sponsor dependents immediately after approval.

Заключительные размышления
The Golden Visa for doctors offers substantial benefits but comes with strict eligibility requirements. If you’re already working in the UAE and meet the salary and experience criteria, this visa could provide long-term security and freedom. If you’re outside the UAE, you’ll need to secure a local job and complete two years of UAE-based experience before becoming eligible.

And that’s it for today’s episode of Lawgical with Ludmila. If you found this episode useful, visit us at lylawyers.com. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and watch the video version on YouTube. Until next time, stay informed, stay safe, and keep things Lawgical.