DHA-licensed doctor in Dubai vs a doctor relocating from abroad which route fits your clinic's start date

Route one: a doctor who already holds a DHA licence

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licence is linked to a facility, so it has to be moved to yours. The steps are in our guide on DHA licence transfer:

• The candidate accepts your offer
• Your facility submits the request in the DHA system (Sheryan)
• The previous facility releases the licence
• The licence is activated under your facility, together with the visa transfer

Route two: a doctor relocating from abroad

To practise in Dubai a doctor needs a DHA licence. For someone arriving from abroad the path has four steps, listed on our GP doctor page:

• DataFlow primary source verification of degree, licences and experience
• DHA assessment, unless the doctor qualifies for an exemption
• The DHA licence is issued
• The doctor is linked to your clinic's licence

Where the time goes

For a GP who already holds a DHA licence the full hiring cycle is usually 2-4 weeks, and the notice period at the previous employer is often the longest part. Without a licence the DataFlow document check alone takes about 15 working days, plus the DHA exam. See DataFlow verification for the usual causes of delay.

• Licensed in Dubai: delays come from the previous employer's release or notice period
• From abroad: delays come from verification, the exam and licence linking
• A licence from another emirate (DOH or MOHAP) is not a DHA licence, but the route is usually shorter than for a new applicant

What it means for the budget

The salary range is the same for both routes: in the Dubai Salary Index 2026 an entry GP is 15,000 - 20,000 AED a month, an experienced GP 22,000 - 28,000 AED, and a senior GP or one with a patient base 30,000+ AED. The index covers 155 roles; the full table is open data on the press and data page and at https://tlnt.ae/data/. The difference is the weeks before the first patient. By law the employer carries the work permit and visa costs.

How to choose

Choose a licensed doctor when the clinic needs to open or fill a schedule soon. Choose a doctor from abroad when you can wait for the licence and want a wider pool. For doctors with a Russian or CIS degree, check the degree, internship and experience early: see the guide on the DHA licence for a GP with a Russian or CIS degree. We help find and assess candidates and show which are already licensed and which need weeks; the employer decides and employs the doctor directly.