Dubai issues over 200,000 work visas in Q1 2015

Dubai has issued 206,770 new employment visas in the first quarter of 2015, according to statistics revealed by Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

“The medical fitness department at the DHA conducted a total of 496,721 medical fitness procedures of which 206,770 fitness tests were for issuance of new visas and the remaining 289,951were for renewal of visas,” Maisa Al Bustani, Director of Medical Fitness at the DHA said in a statement.

Medical fitness is a mandatory requirement for all expats in the UAE. It is required for a residency, employment or education visa.

The DHA has 16 medical fitness centres located across different parts of the emirate for issuance and renewal of medical fitness tests.

Al Bustani added that of the total 496,721 procedures, 27,875 people opted for the four-hour VIP service, 22,550 people opted for the 24 hour express result option and 93,549 opted for the 48 hour option.

In terms of the Tawajod (at your doorstep) service, Al Bustani said 4,574 opted for it and 12 people opted for the Tawajod express service. This service is free of cost for people with special needs and Dh260 is charged for visa.

“In addition to providing such services, we are also expanding our centres. This year, we will establish two medical fitness centres - an occupational screening centre at Mirdiff and a centre at Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) that will provide both occupational screening and medical fitness services,” Al Bustani said.

“Occupational screening is needed for those people who wish to get a certification according to the requirement of their profession such as a pre-employment certificate for employees working in private and government sector. It is also required for heavy truck drivers, civil defence professionals, people working in the food industry etc. due to the nature of the job,” she said.

Medical fitness test fees

Regular: Dh260

Medical tests with results within 48 hours: Dh370

Medical tests with results within 24 hours: Dh470

Medical tests results within four hours: Dh690

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