Did you know… thousands of Indian doctors and medical graduates choose Dubai to practice medicine? Yes, you heard it right. Dubai, as we all know, has a world-class healthcare environment. You get to enjoy tax-free salaries. The cherry on top is, you don’t have to qualify an English proficiency test like IELTS, PTE, or OET to enter the system. The journey to practice here legally involves getting a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) license. So how much would it cost for you to get into the system? In this blog, we’ll break down all expenses, timelines, and practical tips to help you plan effectively.
The First Steps to Get Your Dubai Medical License
Let’s take a look at the first few steps before knowing the costs involved:
- Eligibility Check/DataFlow verification: Make sure your medical degree and experience match DHA requirements.
- Document Preparation: Gather all necessary certificates, such as a medical degree, internship completion, experience letters, and your Good Standing Certificate from the National Medical Commission.
- Primary Source Verification (PSV): DHA partners with DataFlow Group to verify all documents with the issuing authorities in India.
- Prometric Examination: Doctors must clear the DHA exam specific to their specialty.
- License Issuance: Once documents and exam results are verified, DHA issues your license to practice in Dubai.
What is the cost of document verification?
Document verification is a major expense, and it’s often underestimated. Here’s what to expect:
- DataFlow Verification Fee: AED 850–1,300 (₹20,400–31,200)
- Good Standing Certificate from India: ~₹1,000–3,000 depending on the state council.
- Other Document Handling: Minor administrative charges may apply for attestation or translations.
Top Tip: More experience and higher qualifications (like specialisation or super-specialisation) usually mean more documents to verify, slightly increasing the total cost.
Cost of DHA Exam
Passing the DHA exam is mandatory to get a medical license in Dubai. Costs vary by profession:
Pro Tip: Given the fees, it is a win-win if you can pass this exam on your first attempt. Want expert guidance? Enrol in the best Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Exam Preparation Course for Doctors that provides live and self-paced sessions, AI-based mock tests, community peer support and lots more.
What’s the medical license and issuance cost in Dubai?
You have the option to activate your license for 1,2, or 3 years. The cost breakdown is for 1 1-year period.
Profession | Full-time License Fee | Part-time License Fee | Trainee License Fee | Convert to Full-time License Fee |
General Practitioners/Dentists | AED 3000 or INR 69,000 | AED 3000 or INR 69,000 | AED 3000 or INR 69,000 | AED 200 or INR 4,600 |
Oral Assessment Fee
Normal Assessment Fee
The oral assessment fee if the assessment type is Normal is as follows:
General Practitioners/Dentist: AED 500 or INR 11,500
Note: The DHA oral assessment is an interview for healthcare professionals applying for registration after passing the DHA Exam. It evaluates professional knowledge and practical skills. Not all applicants require it; the DHA decides based on their application, credentials, and experience.
Urgent Assessment Fee
The oral assessment fee if the assessment type is Urgent is as follows.
General Practitioners/Dentist: AED 2000 or INR 46,000
Additional and Optional Fees
Apart from these fees, your exam cost may also include:
- Good Standing Certificate: AED 500 or INR 11,500
- Translation & Attestation of documents: INR 500-1,000
- MOFA Attestation: AED 150–200 per document or INR 4,600
- Courier charges for international candidates
- Exam preparation courses: AED 1000–3000 or average INR 50,000
- Travel cost for oral exam: INR 20,000-30,000
Are there any hidden costs?
License Renewal Fee
| Profession | Full-time License Fee | Part-time License Fee | Trainee License Fee |
| Physician/Dentist | AED 3000 or INR 69,000 | AED 3000 or INR 69,000 | AED 3000 or INR 69,000 |
If you are looking for preparation courses, these will incur a separate fee. Please ensure you plan your budget before enrolment.
What timeline are we looking at?
Getting your DHA license is not instant. Here’s what to expect:
- Eligibility Assessment: 1–2 weeks
- Document Verification: 4–6 weeks
- Exam Scheduling: 2–4 weeks
- Exam Duration: 1 day
- License Issuance: 2–4 weeks
Plan at least 2–3 months for the complete process.
How to save money for your medical career journey in Dubai?
- Prepare All Documents in Advance – Missing or incomplete paperwork can increase costs.
- Use Free Study Resources – The DHA official website offers sample questions online.
- Do not fall for fraudulent practices by agencies – Only go for consultants with transparent fee structures. Ensure going through reviews, social media and the company website for credibility.
- Plan Financially for Retakes – Budget for a potential second exam.
To Conclude with…
Obtaining a medical license in Dubai is an important step for Indian doctors aiming for international practice. By knowing the medical license cost in Dubai, preparing documents properly, and budgeting wisely, the process becomes smoother and less stressful. With proper planning, you can focus on what matters most: Building a successful medical career in one of the world’s most dynamic healthcare environments. Looking for personalised guidance?