UAE Medical Visa and Healthcare Visitor Visa — Guide 2026
UAE has world-class medical facilities and is a major destination for medical tourism. International visitors seeking medical treatment in UAE can apply for a UAE medical visa or use the standard tourist visa. This guide covers UAE medical visa options for 2026.
In this guide:
UAE Medical Tourism Overview
- UAE medical tourism: UAE attracted over 500,000 international medical tourists annually (pre-2020 data; growing since)
- Key medical destinations: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Mediclinic UAE, American Hospital Dubai, King’s College Hospital Dubai
- Medical specialities UAE is known for: orthopaedics, cosmetic surgery, dental care, oncology, cardiac care, ophthalmology
UAE Medical Visa (for Treatment)
- Medical treatment visa: UAE issues a specific medical treatment visa category for international patients
- Eligibility: patient needs medical treatment at a UAE Ministry of Health (MOH) or HAAD/DHA-licensed facility
- Required documents: referral letter from treating UAE hospital; proof of travel health insurance; patient passport; booking confirmation at UAE hospital
- Validity: typically 30-90 days; extendable based on treatment duration
- Companion visa: patient’s companion (one person) can also get a medical companion visa
Standard Tourist Visa for Medical Treatment
- Most medical tourists use standard 30, 60, or 90-day UAE tourist/visit visas (or visa-on-arrival where applicable) rather than specific medical visas
- Standard tourist visa is easier to obtain and sufficient for most elective procedures
- If treatment extends beyond visa validity: apply for medical treatment visa extension via UAE immigration
UAE Health Card (for UAE Residents Needing Medical Care)
- UAE residents with health insurance access UAE healthcare via their health insurance card
- DHA Health Card: Dubai residents can apply for DHA health card for access to DHA facilities (public hospitals)
- Free zone companies: must provide UAE health insurance to all employees and their dependents (Dubai mandatory; Abu Dhabi mandatory; other emirates required by free zone authority)
UAE Medical Treatment Costs (No Insurance)
- Dental (basic filling): AED 300–700
- GP consultation (private clinic): AED 200–500
- Orthopaedic surgery (knee/hip replacement): AED 35,000–80,000+
- LASIK eye surgery: AED 5,000–10,000 (per eye)
- Tip: UAE medical costs are often 30-50% lower than equivalent UK private or US costs; this is a key medical tourism draw