UAE Residency Visa Rejected Over Health Issues? What to Do

As a general rule, failing the medical fitness test mandatory for a residency visa will result in expats’ residency visa or employment status being rejected or cancelled. However, in certain cases, it is possible to request a review or appeal the decision with the relevant authorities.

This Pacific Prime Dubai guide will explore the common reasons behind medical screenings, explain the UAE health requirements, and offer practical strategies to improve your chances of successful international travel.

Understanding UAE’s Medical Fitness Tests

The UAE requires all individuals over the age of 18 applying for residency visas to undergo medical fitness screenings to confirm they are free from specific diseases and to protect public health.

Medical screenings typically involve several key steps:

• Mandatory blood tests for infectious diseases
• Chest X-ray for tuberculosis 
• General physical examination

Specifically, these medical tests are designed to identify diseases that are communicable, including: 

• HIV and AIDS screening
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Leprosy
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

Those in certain careers, including healthcare workers, food handlers, teachers, workers in beauty centers, and domestic workers such as nannies, will require more thorough screenings, as mandated for employment in health- and hygiene-related sectors, as shown below. 

Additional health screenings based on profession:

• Food handlers: Stool examination for parasitic infections
• Healthcare workers: Comprehensive infectious disease screenings
• Teachers: Tuberculosis (TB) testing
• Domestic workers: Complete medical examination and a pregnancy test for female workers. 

Typically, the result will be available within 24 hours after the test is done. Those who pass will receive a medical certificate to submit with their residency visa application or renewal. 

For further information and online booking services, visit the EHS official site for medical tests in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and the Seha official site for Abu Dhabi.  

Possible Outcomes from Medical Test Failure

If you are declared medically unfit in the medical fitness screenings, it is likely that you have contracted one of the health conditions mentioned above. How your case is handled will depend on the specific health conditions you are diagnosed with. 

Since 2016, if a person tests positive for HIV/AIDS, active or old pulmonary tuberculosis, or hepatitis B or C, they will be considered unfit for a visa, leading to denial of their residence visa and, eventually, deportation. There are a few exceptions for a condition such as tuberculosis: 

• People with old TB scars renewing a visa may still be allowed to stay under strict monitoring (one-year conditional visa).
• Drug-resistant TB cases must receive treatment inside the UAE before being reconsidered.

If you test positive for hepatitis B/C and you are working or looking to work high-risk jobs, you must change visa purposes within two weeks or face denial. For further guidance regarding tuberculosis, visit How Tuberculosis Will Affect Your UAE Visa Application.

After notification, those who fail the medical test have 14 days to appeal the results of their medical fitness test. This process allows anyone to ask for a reassessment or provide any further medical evidence if needed.

It is important, however, to note that employers have full rights to refuse or terminate employment if the medical fitness certificate cannot be provided. 

For any complex cases, it’s advisable to consult an experienced immigration lawyer familiar with UAE regulations. They can offer expert guidance and help protect your legal rights throughout the entire process.

Understanding What Follows a Deportation Order 

Once a medical test fails, leading to residency visa cancellation and deportation, a grace period to settle business in the country is usually available; however, it is unlikely that deported individuals can reenter the UAE or that the permanent entry ban will be lifted. 

Grace Periods 

The UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship may grant up to three months of grace period for those whose deportation order has been issued to settle any business and interest in the UAE. 

However, this extension typically requires a financial bail, and the exact duration is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Re-entry Possibilities

For deported individuals, re-entry is sometimes possible, but only under specific conditions depending on the disease and the reason for the initial visa denial.

As a general rule, those who have been deported may not return to the country except with special permission from the director general of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Those who intend to reenter the country will need permission directly from the authority.

The application should include: 

• Information related to the previous residency permits
  • Reasons for deportation
  • Explanation of circumstances that occurred thereafter 
• Justifications for entry, supported with documents and necessary evidence

Overall, the UAE allows the possibility of appeals for reentry after deportation. A person deported for AIDS, for instance, could technically apply for special permission. However, given that the reason for deportation involves public health risks, this permission is unlikely to be granted.

Let Pacific Prime be Your Guide in the UAE

Understanding the UAE’s medical visa requirements highlights the importance of maintaining good health in the country. The right health insurance supports early diagnosis and ongoing treatment and helps prevent visa denial or deportation.

Pacific Prime Dubai is a leading insurance brokerage with 25 years of experience in helping clients find comprehensive health insurance that perfectly balances their budgets and needs. With our impartial guidance, expats can secure peace of mind throughout their stay in the UAE. 

Contact us today for FREE quote comparisons!