start polyclinic in Dubai

Medical professionals who want to start polyclinic in Dubai have to get a License to Practice from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The procedure of registration and the requirements is different for each specialization. The nursing license application also varies depending on specialization.

In the UAE, the authority that issues healthcare licenses are different depending on the Emirate where you want to register. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) issues the healthcare practice licenses in Dubai. Professionals have to apply for a DHA license and pass the skill test and assessments to obtain one.

DHA Medical Licensing

The DHA issues license to doctors under following titles:

• General Practitioner
• Specialist
• Consultant

The DHA licensing processes consists of steps as outlined below:

Initial Application

The first step is called “Initial Application”. You have to register as a new user and initiate the “New License” process. Firstly, you will have to fill out all the online forms and upload all the required documents, listed below:

1. Firstly all the educational certificates. This includes any of the followings: Diploma, Bachelor’s, Post Graduates Degree, etc.
2. Recent professional and employment experience based on DHA PQR.
3. Next, log book for the last 2 years for surgical specialties. And it must have facility stamp and signature of Medical Director or other authorized person.
4. Valid license from medical licensing body of country of last employment. 
5. Also a valid Good Standing Certificate issued by last country’s licensing authority. This is mandatory for Physicians.
6. Medical fitness test if applicant age is 65 or above. The test is conducted only by medical fitness center-DHA.
7. Copy of valid passport
8. And lastly a recent photograph

Along with all the documents you will have to make a payment of AED 220 to begin the processing.

Primary Source Verification

It usually takes up to 2 weeks to complete the validation of the documents submitted. Thereafter is the process called Primary Source Verification (PSV). PSV is the process of verifying all the documents directly from the original or primary source. There are international agencies that can carry out this task.

Following documents will be verified in the PSV process:

• Firstly the educational certificates
• Then the professional experience
• Also the current health license
• And lastly the Good Standing Certificate. 

This process of checking is called “Sheryan” on the website of the DHA. Therefore you have to pay for the same on the website. The cost of starting the PSV is AED 1235. The process begins 48 hours after the payment.

Verification Exam

In the next step you may start of booking your verification exam. You can book the exam online from the website used for the initial application. The exam is an oral test in front of a panel of DHA doctors. The panel will generally have doctors or experts from the applicant’s specialty. This is to verify the applicant’s competencies.

Generally an experienced doctor will easily pass the test. However most people who take it describe it as challenging. Medical professionals should refresh their knowledge before appearing for the test.

In case the one fails in the exam you can begin your application process from start take it once again. An applicant will get 3 such chances to clear the exam.

Once you book your exam date, you can take the test only if the PSV process is successful. You will have to pay the exam fee of AED 520 before the test date.

Issue License

Once you pass your verification exam, you may request a DHA license. You will have to submit the following to obtain the DHA license:

• Offer letter from the recruiting facility. The offer must be recent (last 3 month). It should include the professional title, facility stamp and signature of Medical Director or authorized person.
• Medical fitness test only if applicant age is 65 and above.
• Malpractice insurance from recruiting facility
• Passport copy if it expires during application process.

It is common for doctors to complete all the previous steps of the DHA licensing including the verification exam, and then look for a job in Dubai. That’s because finding a job offer in Dubai is easier if your potential employer knows you are already eligible and have passed the DHA exam.

DHA issues licenses only to those medical professionals who have a job offer from a recognized healthcare institution. Doctors can complete all the steps of the DHA licensing including the verification exam, and then look for a job in Dubai. This will be good for them as finding a job offer in Dubai is easier if your potential employer knows you are already eligible and have passed the DHA exam.

In order to start a polyclinic in Dubai, a medical practitioner will have to complete all processes as explained above and obtain a DHA license.