UAE medical treatment visa for patients and companions

The treatment visa is for foreigners who are not eligible for visa-free entry and travel specifically for medical care, and for the family members or carers who accompany them. Visa-required patients need either this permit or a tourist visa.

The sponsor must be a healthcare facility licensed in the UAE; ICP lists it among the entry permits it issues to tourism, treatment, work-mission and study sponsors.

A companion's permit follows the patient's: it is the same type of permit, the companion must enter the UAE together with the patient and needs their own health insurance and guarantee, and the companion's permit is only extended if the patient's permit is extended.

ICP requires a medical report on the patient's condition and a letter from the treating facility. For companions, a visa approval letter from the competent health authority is needed in addition.

As with all entry permits, the passport must be valid for at least six months and health insurance valid in the UAE is required.

The patient also needs a ticket to continue the journey or to leave the UAE, and the facility submits a financial guarantee document together with the passport copy and a recent photo on a white background.

In addition to the fees, the sponsoring facility must lodge a financial guarantee: ICP lists AED 1,000 for a single-trip treatment permit and AED 2,000 for a multiple-trip permit. The guarantee is returned on request after the patient leaves the UAE or the permit is cancelled, provided there was no residence violation, and the refund request must be made within five years.

ICP lists an application fee of AED 100, an issuance fee of AED 100 and a smart-service fee of AED 100 for treatment entry permits. Processing takes about 2 days, and the permit must be used within 60 days of issue.

If treatment takes longer than planned, the facility can request an extension; ICP allows healthcare-related permits to reach a total of 180 days.

ICP's 2024 services guide states that the treatment permit is valid for 90 days and can allow one or several entries, as decided by the issuing authority. Issuance is charged per month: AED 100 for a single-trip permit and AED 200 for a multiple-trip permit. Each extension costs an AED 100 request fee, AED 500 issuance and an AED 100 electronic services fee.

Contact the hospital first and share your medical file. Once it accepts the case, the facility files the entry permit through ICP or the emirate's channel, attaching its letter and your report.

After approval you receive the e-visa, travel within 60 days and attend treatment. Overstaying the permit is fined at AED 50 per day.