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Fact-checked by Priyanshu Raghav Updated 29 April 2026

Effect of Tuberculosis on UAE Visa Application

Priyanshu Raghav
Priyanshu Raghav 29 April 2026 5 min read 613 views 0 comments
How Tuberculosis Will Affect Your UAE Visa Application

With the World Health Organization revoking the AIDS-free certification for the UAE, it means that the UAE is no longer a risk-free country for tuberculosis. This might seem like a relatively inconsequential affair, but it will impact how you apply for your visa to the UAE. These sections will go through how TB will affect your UAE visa application.

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a viral illness that primarily affects the lungs. It can be transmitted to humans through the air by coughing or sneezing. A few symptoms of tuberculosis include a bad cough that lasts for three weeks or more, weight loss, tiredness, chest pain, fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite. 

Thus, the treatment for tuberculosis is lengthy and consists of four antibiotic drugs taken over six months. The drugs are usually well-tolerated, but side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, stomach pain, and rashes, are possible.

READ ALSO: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

How would tuberculosis affect your UAE visa application?

Recently, a new rule was implemented by the UAE government. It is expected to significantly impact the number of ex-pats moving to the UAE, especially those from high-risk countries. 

The new rule applies to all people who have stayed or travelled in high-risk countries for over six months. They will be subject to mandatory medical testing for tuberculosis (TB) before they are granted an entry UAE visa

But if you have tuberculosis, you need to mention it while you are applying for a UAE visa application

However, suppose you are diagnosed with tuberculosis within two years of arriving in the UAE. In that case, you may be denied entry until you are free of the disease, and even if you are already in the UAE, you could be deported unless you can prove that you are taking the necessary steps to control the disease.

The risks of having TB and travelling to the UAE

There have been many people worldwide who have been diagnosed with TB. It is a terrible sickness, but it may be effectively treated correctly. At the same time, a particular fear and stigma surrounds the condition and the people who have it. While the UAE is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide, it is important to know that there are some risks and facts surrounding tuberculosis while applying for your UAE visa application.

  • A UAE visa application may result in numerous physical symptoms if your body is unprepared.
  • If you are not mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared for the trip, you are at risk of contracting tuberculosis.
  • After applying for a UAE visa, you should contact your doctor.
  • We at Dubai Health Authority always strive to keep the public informed about health matters.

READ ALSO: HOW TO REMOVE IMMIGRATION BAN IN UAE

How do you obtain a medical certificate of good health from the UAE authorities?

The UAE authorities will only approve the residence visa and medical certificate from a UAE-authorized doctor. That is not enough to get a medical report from a doctor in your country.

The UAE is stringent on these matters, and any medical condition that you have in your home country must be cleared up in the UAE. If you have a medical condition, you must visit a clinic in the UAE and obtain a medical certificate from the UAE authorities.

The UAE authorities will not approve a residence visa for medical conditions in your home country. 

How much does it cost to apply for a visa to the UAE?

The cost of a UAE visa application depends on the visa class and the type of service you choose. The citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council) do not need to pay any visa fees, and the visa processing time is about 3-4 working days. But visa fees are included for citizens of other countries, which depend upon the type of visa and the service you choose.

READ ALSO: HOW TO CHECK UAE VISA STATUS ONLINE

Conclusion

If you want to work in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, you must apply for a UAE work visa before travelling there. The UAE visa is issued after you have submitted all of your required documents due to the online visa application, and once you have received it, you are allowed to visit the UAE. 

A UAE visa is required for most people looking to work in Dubai, especially if they are working with a company not located in the country. It is essential to mention that obtaining a UAE visa is not easy, and you are not supposed to leave the country until your visa expires.

But your visa will be cancelled anytime without warning if you have a disease.

Thus, the UAE has the highest TB rate in the world. It is essential to know how your TB status could affect your UAE visa application and to understand the necessary steps to take to ensure your health and well-being in the UAE. 

We hope this blog helps you apply for a UAE visa application

If you have any more queries, you may check this guide. We are happy to discuss your visa application further with you. 

Apply for UAE Visa

Priyanshu Raghav
Written by

Priyanshu Raghav

Priyanshu is a travel and visa content specialist focused on Dubai and UAE travel information. His work covers visa requirements, application processes, visa extensions, transit visas, entry rules, airport procedures, and practical travel guidance. He researches official updates and industry information to create clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand content that helps international travellers plan their Dubai journey with confidence.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. Anyone who has lived or travelled in a high-risk country for more than six months must take a mandatory tuberculosis test before an entry visa is granted, and TB has to be declared on the application. If TB is diagnosed within two years of arrival you may be refused entry until you are clear of the disease, and a resident can be deported unless they can show they are following treatment.
For a residence visa the UAE accepts only a medical fitness certificate issued by a UAE-authorised clinic; a report from a doctor in your home country is not enough. The screening covers infectious diseases, and applicants who have spent more than six months in a high-risk country face compulsory tuberculosis testing. Any existing condition must be declared and, where required, cleared at a clinic inside the UAE.
Not while the disease is active. Applicants must declare tuberculosis on the visa application, and the UAE can refuse entry until you are free of the disease; a diagnosis within two years of arriving can also lead to deportation unless you prove you are controlling it. The practical route is to complete treatment and then obtain a medical certificate from a UAE-authorised doctor, since home-country reports are not accepted for a residence visa.
There is no shortcut described in this article for removing a TB-related ban; the restriction is tied to the disease itself, so it is lifted only once you can show you are free of it or are following treatment. That means completing the antibiotic course, which typically runs for six months, and then being re-examined by a UAE-authorised clinic, because a home-country report will not be accepted. Any later application must still declare the history.

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