United Arab Emirates: Medical Examination Regulations for Residents Amended

The Council of Ministers has restricted some medical examination regulations for foreign nationals seeking residency in the UAE, and has relaxed other rules. Notably, pulmonary tuberculosis testing is now mandatory during the residency permit renewal process.

Expanded Rules

Rules that have been expanded or restricted include the following:

• Tests for pulmonary tuberculosis will now be mandatory not only for new residence permit applicants, but also during the residency permit renewal process. Foreign nationals renewing their residency who test positive for old, active or drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis may be granted a conditional health certificate and a one-year residency. Affected individuals will be required to undergo treatment as specified by the relevant authority in the UAE. Noncompliance with this rule will result in visa cancellation.

• Viral hepatitis testing has been extended to workers at health care facilities.

• More foreign workers will also be subject to hepatitis C testing, as opposed to hepatitis B only.

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