A UAE Medical Visa allows an international patient to enter the United Arab Emirates for medical treatment. The hospital or healthcare center providing the treatment must normally sponsor and submit the visa application.
The official term may be a “visit visa for treatment” or an “entry permit for treatment.” However, many patients and hospitals refer to it as a UAE Medical Visa.
The process is slightly different between Dubai and the other emirates. Dubai applications are handled by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA Dubai). Applications for the other emirates are generally handled by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or ICP.
This guide explains the documents, steps, fees, processing time, validity and companion visa rules as of July 2026.
UAE Medical Visa Requirements at a Glance:
| Requirement | General Information |
| Who submits the application? | A licensed hospital or healthcare facility in the UAE |
| Main purpose | Medical treatment in the UAE |
| Passport validity | At least six months |
| Main documents | Passport copy, photograph, medical report and letter from the UAE hospital |
| Health insurance | A policy valid in the UAE is required |
| Travel ticket | A return or onward ticket may be required |
| Dubai visa options | One or several entries for 90 or 180 days |
| Companion visa | Available for a person accompanying the patient |
| Processing time | Official service pages list about 48 hours after all requirements are complete |
| Extension | May be available if further treatment is needed and approval is granted |
The final conditions depend on the emirate, hospital, nationality and treatment plan. Always follow the information shown on the approved visa.
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A UAE Medical Visa is a visit visa issued to an international patient who plans to receive treatment in the UAE. The treatment must be provided by a licensed healthcare facility.
The permit may be used for getting treatment such as:
Approval is not automatic. The immigration authority reviews the documents and makes the final decision.
An international patient may be eligible when:
The patient does not normally sponsor the application alone. A licensed UAE healthcare facility acts as the sponsor or host.
Before making travel plans, contact the hospital’s international patient department. Ask whether it can accept your case and arrange the treatment visa.
The application steps depend on where the patient will receive treatment.
| Treatment location | Immigration authority |
| Dubai | GDRFA Dubai |
| Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah | ICP |
For treatment in Dubai, the hospital normally applies through GDRFA Dubai.
For treatment in another emirate, the hospital normally uses the ICP Smart Services system.
Patients should not submit applications through unofficial visa websites. Confirm the process with the hospital arranging the treatment.
The licensed healthcare facility usually collects the documents and submits the application. Requirements vary, but the patient is generally asked for:
Provide a clear copy of your passport information page. The passport must normally be valid for at least six months.
Check that the name, passport number, nationality and date of birth are clear.
Provide a recent color photograph that meets the size and background rules given by the hospital or immigration authority.
The medical report should explain the patient’s condition and need for treatment. The hospital may ask for recent test results, scan reports or a medical summary.
The report may need to be approved or issued in a format accepted by the immigration authority.
The host hospital must provide a letter explaining why the patient needs to visit the UAE. It may include:
The information must match the passport and visa application.
The patient must have health insurance that is valid in the UAE. Ask the hospital what type of policy is accepted for the application.
Do not assume that the visa insurance will cover the cost of the planned treatment. Confirm treatment coverage, exclusions and payment terms separately.
ICP lists a travel ticket for onward journeys among the required documents. This may be a return or onward ticket showing that the patient plans to leave the UAE. Avoid buying a non-refundable ticket before approval. The hospital may ask for the ticket or proposed travel details.
Avoid buying a non-refundable ticket before the visa has been approved.
The hospital may also request:
Do not send original documents unless the hospital or immigration authority asks for them.
Step 1: Select a Hospital in the UAE
Choose a licensed hospital that treats your condition. Check the doctor’s experience, available treatment, estimated cost and follow-up plan.
Send your recent medical reports to the hospital’s international patient department.
Step 2: Receive a Medical Review
The hospital will review your records. It may ask for more reports or an online consultation.
If the hospital accepts the case, it may provide:
Step 3: Ask the Hospital to Sponsor the Visa
Confirm that the hospital can sponsor a UAE Medical Visa. Not every clinic or healthcare provider may offer this service.
The hospital will explain its document and payment requirements.
Step 4: Submit Your Documents to the Hospital
Provide clear copies of the required documents. Check that your name and passport details are the same on every document.
The hospital may ask for an advance payment or financial guarantee before submitting the application.
Step 5: The Hospital Submits the Application
The hospital applies through:
The immigration authority may ask the hospital for more information.
Step 6: Pay the Visa Costs
Pay the required visa fees, service charges and security deposit through the hospital or approved government channel.
Ask for a clear breakdown before paying. The total may vary based on the visa length, number of entries and application route.
Step 7: Wait for the Decision
The official ICP and GDRFA service pages list an expected completion time of about 48 hours after a complete application is submitted. This is not a guaranteed approval time.
Applications may take longer if:
Step 8: Check the Approved Visa
Once approved, check:
Ask the hospital to correct any error before you travel.
Step 9: Travel to the UAE
Carry digital and printed copies of:
The immigration officer may ask for supporting documents on arrival.
A UAE Medical Visa may allow a stay of 90 or 180 days, with single or multiple entries, depending on the visa issued. Under ICP, the patient must generally enter the UAE within 60 days of the visa’s issue date.
Two different periods must be checked:
Under the federal ICP system, the holder must generally enter the UAE within 60 days from the visa’s issue date. The allowed stay depends on the visa issued.
For Dubai, GDRFA lists treatment visas for:
The visa issued to you may have different conditions. Always follow the dates and entry rules shown on the approved document.
A single-entry visa can be used for one journey to the UAE. It may be suitable when the patient will remain in the country throughout treatment.
A multiple-entry visa allows the patient to leave and return during its validity. This may help when treatment involves several hospital visits.
The hospital should select the option that matches the treatment plan. A multiple-entry visa usually costs more and requires a higher security deposit.
There is no single total cost for every applicant.
Charges depend on:
The ICP service page currently lists:
| Charge | Published fee |
| Application fee | AED 100 |
| Single-entry issuance fee | AED 100 per month |
| Multiple-entry issuance fee | AED 200 per month |
| Smart service fee | AED 100 |
| Single-entry financial guarantee | AED 1,000 |
| Multiple-entry financial guarantee | AED 2,000 |
| Deposit service fee | AED 20 |
The financial guarantee may be refundable after the visa is cancelled or the patient leaves the UAE. This depends on compliance with the visa rules.
GDRFA Dubai currently lists the following base charges:
| Dubai treatment visa | Base fee |
| 90 days, one entry | AED 200 |
| 180 days, one entry | AED 500 |
GDRFA also lists:
The hospital or service center may add its own processing fee. Ask for a written breakdown before paying.
Fees can change. Check the final amount shown by ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
The official ICP and GDRFA pages list an expected service time of about 48 hours. This normally begins after a complete application has been submitted.
It does not include the time needed for:
Start the process early. Do not plan urgent travel around the 48-hour estimate unless the hospital confirms the timeline.
A companion may be granted a visa to accompany the patient. The healthcare facility normally sponsors this visa as well.
The companion must:
A companion visa is not normally extended unless the patient’s treatment visa is also extended.
The hospital may ask for proof of the relationship between the patient and companion.
A treatment visa may be extended when the patient needs more time for care. The hospital must normally support the request.
Under the federal ICP rules, a medical treatment visa may be extended one or more times. However, the total extension period must not exceed 180 days.
ICP currently lists:
Other charges may apply.
For Dubai, the hospital should apply through GDRFA before the current visa expires. A companion visa will normally be extended only when the patient’s visa is extended.
Approval is not automatic. Apply early and provide an updated hospital letter explaining why more time is needed.
Planning should begin with a medical review, not the visa application. The hospital must first decide whether it can provide the required treatment.
Cancer Rounds can help international patients:
Cancer Rounds does not issue visas or decide applications. The final decision belongs to the UAE immigration authority.
1) Can a family member accompany the patient?
Yes. A companion visa may be issued through the sponsoring healthcare facility. The companion must normally enter the UAE with the patient.
2) Is health insurance required?
Yes. The patient and companion must have health insurance valid in the UAE. Confirm what the policy covers before travelling.
3) Is a security deposit required?
Yes, a financial guarantee may be required. The published amount is generally AED 1,000 for one entry and AED 2,000 for several entries.
4) Can the patient apply without a hospital?
The treatment visa is normally sponsored by a licensed UAE healthcare facility. Contact the hospital before starting the visa process.
5) Can You Carry Medicines Into the UAE?
Yes, if the medicine is permitted under UAE rules. Keep medicines in their original packaging with a valid prescription or medical report. For controlled medicines, check the permitted quantity and either obtain optional prior approval or declare them on arrival with the required documents.UAE Government guidance
6) What Can Delay or Affect UAE Medical Visa Approval?
Incomplete or incorrect information, a passport valid for less than six months, missing medical or hospital documents, invalid insurance, unpaid fees or immigration concerns may delay or prevent approval. The hospital can help correct the application, but UAE immigration authorities make the final decision. UAE ICP visa requirements
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