If you’re planning to apply for the UAE Golden Visa, there’s one question that almost everyone asks — usually after hearing three different answers from three different people:
Is medical test mandatory for UAE Golden Visa?
It’s a fair question. The Golden Visa feels different. It’s long-term, prestigious, and often linked to property, investments, or senior professionals. So it’s easy to assume the rules might be different too.
They aren’t.
The medical requirement still applies, and misunderstanding this step is one of the most common reasons otherwise strong applications get delayed. Let’s clear it up properly.
Is Medical Test Mandatory for UAE Golden Visa?
Yes — a medical fitness test is mandatory for all UAE Golden Visa applicants aged 18 and above.
Even though the Golden Visa offers 10-year residency and more flexibility than traditional visas, it is still a residence visa. And in the UAE, every residence visa (regardless of category) falls under federal medical fitness regulations.
These rules are overseen by:
- ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security)
- MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention)
- Local health authorities such as DHA in Dubai
This has been repeatedly confirmed in official guidance and in coverage by all top publications. In short, no medical clearance means no residency activation.
Why the Medical Test Still Applies — Even for Golden Visa Holders
This is where most confusion comes from.
Over the years, the UAE has relaxed many Golden Visa requirements:
- You no longer need a local sponsor
- You can stay outside the UAE for extended periods
- Family sponsorship rules are more flexible
But public health regulations were never part of those changes.
Golden Visa holders are long-term residents. They live, work, invest, and raise families in the UAE. From a government perspective, applying the same medical standards across all residency types keeps the system fair, predictable, and safe.
You can see the official framework here.
What Medical Tests Are Required for UAE Golden Visa?
As of 2025, the medical fitness test includes two standard checks:
1. Blood Test
This screens for:
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis B (for certain professional categories)
2. Chest X-Ray
This is used to detect:
- Active or previous Tuberculosis (TB)
The process is straightforward and conducted at government-approved medical fitness centers inside the UAE. Results are uploaded electronically, you don’t carry reports from office to office.
Who Needs to Take the Medical Test?
You’ll need to complete the medical test if you’re:
- Applying for a new Golden Visa
- Switching from another UAE visa
- Reapplying after a previous visa was cancelled
- Sponsoring dependents aged 18 or above
Who Doesn’t?
- Children under 18
- Tourists and visit visa holders (until residence conversion stage)
There are no exemptions based on wealth, profession, or investment size.
Applying From Outside the UAE: How the Medical Test Fits In
If you’re applying from outside the UAE, this part usually causes unnecessary stress. So let’s simplify it.
You do not need a medical test to get Golden Visa pre-approval.
However, once you enter the UAE to activate your residency, the medical test becomes mandatory. Without it, the process simply doesn’t move forward.
A typical timeline looks like this:
- Golden Visa approval
- Entry into the UAE
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID biometrics
- Visa issuance
Skipping step three is where most delays happen.
Is the Medical Test Different for Property or Investor Golden Visas?
No. The medical requirement is exactly the same, regardless of how you qualify.
This applies to:
- Property Golden Visa holders
- Investors and entrepreneurs
- Retired applicants
- Senior professionals
Even applicants purchasing property worth AED 2 million or more follow the same medical screening process.
For senior applicants considering real estate-based residency, this guide is a useful companion read on our website: Golden Visa Rules for Senior Citizens Buying Property- All You Need to Know
It explains how age, ownership, and long-term residency rules work alongside medical compliance.
What Happens If You Don’t Pass the Medical Test?
This is understandably sensitive, and unfortunately, it’s where misinformation spreads fastest.
HIV
A positive result leads to visa rejection across all residency categories.
Tuberculosis (TB)
- Active TB: visa is paused or denied until treatment is completed
- Old or inactive TB: conditional clearance may be granted with monitoring
How Long Do Medical Test Results Take?
In most cases:
- Standard service: 24–48 hours
- Express service: same day or next day
Results are sent directly to immigration systems. There’s no manual submission or paperwork chase.
Common Myths We Still Hear
“Golden Visa holders don’t need medical tests.”
They do.
“Investors are exempt.”
They aren’t.
“I can do the test in my home country.”
It must be done in the UAE.
“Once cleared, I’ll never need it again.”
If your residency is cancelled and reapplied, the test is required again.
FAQs: UAE Golden Visa Medical Test
Is medical test mandatory for UAE Golden Visa in 2025?
Yes. All Golden Visa applicants aged 18 and above must pass a UAE medical fitness test.
Can Golden Visa applicants skip the medical test if they are investors or property owners?
No. Investment size, property value, or professional status does not remove the medical requirement.
Can I do the UAE Golden Visa medical test outside the UAE?
No. The medical test must be completed inside the UAE at an approved government center.
When should I do the medical test during the Golden Visa process?
After entering the UAE and initiating residency status, but before visa stamping.
Does age affect medical eligibility for Golden Visa?
Age alone does not disqualify applicants. Medical fitness is assessed purely on public health criteria.
Is the medical test required again for Golden Visa renewal?
If your residency remains active, it is not repeated. If your visa is cancelled and reapplied, the medical test is required again.
Why This Step Deserves More Attention
In practice, most Golden Visa delays don’t happen because someone is ineligible. They happen because a step was misunderstood, skipped, or assumed to be optional.
The medical test isn’t complicated — but it has to be done at the right time.
When applicants understand that early, the rest of the process becomes far smoother.
Final Thoughts
So, is medical test mandatory for UAE Golden Visa?
Yes. Every time.
Once you accept that and plan for it properly, the Golden Visa journey becomes far less stressful than the internet makes it seem.
Need Clarity Before You Apply?
At Golden Visa UAE, we’ve helped 2,500+ applicants move through the Golden Visa process with clarity, including medical fitness, documentation, and final approval.
If you want straight answers before committing time or money, a guided consultation can make all the difference.
Talk to our team and move forward with confidence.
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