UAE visa resources
Emirates ID and Medical Fitness Test
Every UAE residence visa applicant aged 18 or over must pass a medical fitness test and apply for an Emirates ID as part of getting or renewing residency.
Important
Obtaining a UAE residence visa is not only about the visa stamp. Applicants aged 18 and over must undergo a medical fitness test to prove they are medically fit, pass a security check, and apply for an Emirates ID. These steps apply across the work, family, student and long-term residence routes.
The medical test includes screening for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis. Residents renewing their visas also undergo TB screening; a person found with scars or active or drug-resistant TB may be issued a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence visa. The Emirates ID is the national identity card linking a resident to government and many private services.
What is required
- Medical fitness test at an approved health centre for those aged 18 and over
- Security check
- Emirates ID application and biometrics
- TB screening, including on renewal
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.