Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals do not require a visa to enter the UAE. Expatriate residents from the Gulf states (Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia), who are on the resident visa category of businessmen, company managers or representatives, auditors, accountants, doctors, engineers or employees working in the public sector, can obtain a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival in UAE.

Passport holders of countries listed below, enjoy no advance visa arrangements when visiting the UAE. Upon arrival to Dubai International Airport they are to proceed to Immigration, where passport will be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge. This can be extended for an additional 30 days at an additional charge. All visitors must have a valid return ticket as well as a passport valid for at least six months.

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia ,Malta,Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican City.

All other nationalities must arrange for visa prior to arrival in the UAE.

The type of visa required for entry into the UAE depends on several different factors such as nationality, the purpose of visit and its duration.

• Tourist Visa - tourists can apply for it through tour operators and Emirates Airline and is valid for a 30-day stay, but extendable for another 10 days. Tourist needs sponsorship from a hotel or tour operator, and prearrangement is required. Tourist must also have an honoured passport.
• Medical Tourism Visa - is provided by health authorities after the submission of all required documents. Valid for 90-day and can be extended.

Visa validity length, regulations and costs are subject to change, therefore visitors who need a visa are advised to contact their nearest UAE embassy or consulate or visit the website of the General Directorate of Foreign Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Visas can be arranged through travel agents, UAE Airlines, hotels and through close family members who are UAE Nationals or Residents.
For more information, please visit: www.dnrd.ae

The medical tourism visa is valid for up to three months and can be renewed for another three months.

The social media platforms for Dubai Health Experience provide an opportunity for tourists to learn more details about the services, facilities and packages which include accommodation, tickets, information on visas and many other services designed to help make the medical experience rather easy and smooth.

The social media platforms are as follows:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DXH-Connect
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/DXHConnect

Dubai Health Experience website contains a number of health packages that were designed in collaboration with 25 medical facilities in Dubai.

Dubai Health Experience platform is designed for convenience and it includes a list of available doctors, hospitals, translators and information on travel formalities in Dubai. In addition to this, the website contains activities which are essential to complete the experience.

The official website is www.DXH.ae

Dubai aims to attract 500,000 medical tourists a year by 2020.

Dubai has managed in a short period to be ranked 17 among the top 25 global destinations for medical tourism.

46 per cent of the current medical tourists in Dubai were from Asian countries, 25 per cent from GCC and Arab countries and 13 per cent from African countries while the remaining 16 per cent were from other countries, mainly the UK and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

40% of tourists who seek Dubai for the purpose of medical tourism come from overseas.  The GCC and the Arab countries are at the top of the list, followed by Asian and African countries.

Dubai attracted a total of 640,542 international and domestic medical tourists in 2018 (51% was international patients with a 9.5% growth of international tourists from 2015 to 2018).

There are 30 hospitals in Dubai, of which 70% are internationally accredited. The emirate aims to build 22 hospitals by 2020 - 18 private and 4 public hospitals.

Dubai’s healthcare team includes more than 30,000 specialists working in 3,000 hospitals, clinics and centres.

Dubai has established a long-term strategic plan for the development of the health sector, which aims to strengthen the competitive position of the Emirate in order to be the first in the region and ultimately become one of the top 10 medical tourism destinations in the world. The Emirate has the potential to accomplish its objectives as it provides premium health services. Dubai already occupies a prestigious global position as an ultimate destination for tourism and recreation, offering its visitors an exceptional experience throughout the year. Dubai has the ambition to be a major global destination for medical tourism attracting 500,000 tourists a year by 2020. These efforts are being supported by extensive research and analysis, identifying investment opportunities in the healthcare sector, developing marketing plans, strategically promoting medical tourism and continuously cooperating with the private sector as well as health providers in the UAE.

Among the first specialist areas to be offered by the Dubai Health Experience (DXH) are cosmetic treatment & surgery, orthopaedics and sports medicine, ophthalmology, dental treatment, dermatology, wellness and preventive health check-up packages, as well as assisted reproductive techniques and weight loss management and surgeries.

Dubai Health Experience website contains a number of health packages that were designed in collaboration with (45) healthcare facilities in Dubai. Dubai Health Experience platform is designed for convenience and it includes a list of available doctors, hospitals, translators and information on travel formalities in Dubai. In addition to this, the website contains activities which are essential to complete the experience.