UAE Medical Treatment Visa & Health Tourism
Current guide to medical-treatment entry permits, Dubai GDRFA visas, ICP treatment permits, patient companions, documents, government fees and extensions.
Dubai and the other emirates do not use one identical treatment visa service or fee schedule. Always identify the immigration authority before calculating the cost or validity.
Important correction: treatment visas are not all identical
The original page incorrectly presented a universal 90-day single/multiple-entry structure and AED 1,000–2,500 government fees. Current official sources distinguish Dubai GDRFA from the federal ICP service and publish different validity periods, charges and extension rules.
Government visa fees are also separate from hospital treatment costs, hospital administration, insurance, security deposits and in-country service charges.
How the UAE medical-treatment visa system works
Foreign patients can enter the UAE for treatment under a medical treatment entry permit sponsored by a licensed healthcare establishment. The immigration authority depends on the emirate.
Dubai: GDRFA Dubai issues single- or multiple-entry medical visas that may be valid for 90 or 180 days.
Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates: ICP provides the federal treatment-entry service covering Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
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Select the applicable visa route
Dubai Medical Treatment Visa — Single Entry
Authority: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai)
| Visa parameter | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Validity / stay | 90 or 180 days depending on the visa granted |
| Sponsor | A UAE-licensed health establishment acts as sponsor/host. |
| Extension | GDRFA states that a medical visa may be extended one or more times up to a total period of no more than 180 days, subject to the relevant authority decision and application through the licensed healthcare sponsor. |
| Government fee | GDRFA currently publishes AED 200 for a 90-day single-entry medical visa or AED 500 for a 180-day single-entry medical visa, plus 5% VAT, with additional security-deposit and service charges. |
Common application documents
- Passport copy with at least 6 months validity.
- Medical report.
- Hospital/host documentation justifying the treatment visit.
- Health insurance for the patient.
- Required financial security deposit.
- Photograph and any additional documents requested by GDRFA.
Sponsor / host requirement
The treatment visa is not a general self-sponsored tourist visa. The healthcare provider acts as sponsor/host and submits the treatment-justification documents through the relevant immigration system.
- The medical facility must be licensed in the UAE.
- The patient normally needs an approved medical report.
- The hospital/host letter must explain the reason for treatment.
- Health insurance and required financial security must be provided.
Companion / escort visa
A companion can receive a separate treatment-companion entry permit. In Dubai, GDRFA requires the companion to enter with the patient and to hold the same entry type as the patient.
- Passport copy with at least 6 months validity.
- Photograph.
- Copy of the patient’s visa.
- Hospital letter.
- Health insurance and required financial security.
- Companion extension requires the patient’s treatment visa to be extended as well.
Dubai medical-visa government charges
| Dubai GDRFA service | Published charge | Additional components |
|---|---|---|
| 90-day single-entry medical visa | AED 200 | 5% VAT plus applicable security deposit and service charges. |
| 180-day single-entry medical visa | AED 500 | 5% VAT plus applicable security deposit and service charges. |
| One-entry security deposit | AED 1,000 | Separate from the medical-visa fee. |
| Several-entry security deposit | AED 2,000 | Separate from the medical-visa fee. |
ICP federal treatment-entry permit
Who uses ICP?
ICP’s treatment-entry service covers Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Dubai uses GDRFA Dubai for its local immigration services.
Federal validity
ICP’s service guide states that a treatment entry permit has a 90-day validity and may be extended one or more times by the issuing authority, provided the overall period does not exceed 180 days.
Medical tourism in Dubai
Dubai has a dedicated medical-tourism ecosystem, but medical tourism platforms, hospitals and immigration authorities perform different functions. A healthcare platform can assist with treatment coordination, while the visa itself is issued through the competent immigration authority.
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Official sources checked for 2026
These are primary UAE government and immigration sources. This page is not certified, verified or endorsed by ICP, GDRFA Dubai, Dubai Health or any hospital.