The healthcare industry has appeared as one of the UAE's key industrial sectors for economic growth over the last decade. In 2018, the medical tourism industry in the UAE generated USD 3.29 billion with a 5.5% annual growth rate. In 2019, the country witnessed a rise of 4% from the previous year in the arrival of medical tourists.
Medical tourism in the UAE has developed rapidly and achieved milestones in recent years, making it one of the most preferred destinations for medical tourism.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two major hotspots to receive high-quality medical care because of the extensive network of hospitals and medical centers.
Where does UAE rank in healthcare?
- The country secures 6th position among 46 contesting medical tourism destinations.
- It ranks 22nd in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, with an overall score of 44.68.
Why do people visit UAE for medical treatment?
Thousands of medical tourists visit UAE because of its high-standard and cost-effective medical facilities. Below we have mentioned the major reasons why medical travelers prefer UAE as their next medical tourism destination:
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Affordable Treatments: The primary reason that attracts medical tourists to the UAE is the high standards of medical care along with affordable costs. One can save up to 30-40% on any treatments or surgeries in the UAE as compared to receiving the same procedures in the US and UK. Dubai and Abu Dhabi is the perfect place for medical travelers who may lack insurance coverage for some procedures such as dental, dermatology, and orthopedics in other western countries.
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Best Healthcare Facilities: In terms of world-class medical facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology, UAE ranks higher than the majority of other GCC countries. The country has 14 hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International, a United States-based organization that approves health care organizations and programs. The state-of-the-art facilities have been designed to fulfill the requirements of both medical procedures and recuperative needs. The sophisticated infrastructure ensures high-quality services for patients from all over the world.
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Highly-skilled Medical Professionals: The medical practitioners available in the hospitals or clinics of the UAE are trained in the top universities of the US and European countries. They have vast knowledge and years of experience and expertise in their respective fields to handle every medical procedure perfectly. These healthcare professionals are available round-the-clock for providing high-quality medical services for every type of medical condition.
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No Language Barrier: Surviving in a foreign land without knowing the native language is a challenging task. But, in the UAE the medical tourists won’t face this challenge because of the cosmopolitan population. The UAE has a population of 9.2 million people, of which 7.8 million are expatriates. With a huge ex-pat population, Dubai is considered to be highly diverse which is beneficial for medical tourists. English is widely used for communication and most medical professionals are proficient in multiple languages. International patients can also hire translators who can assist them during their medical trips.
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No Waiting Time: There is a large pool of trained doctors and nurses in UAE hospitals. Patients can easily get price quotes from multiple doctors for a specific treatment. Usually, this process takes months in other countries, but it is a one or two-day process in the UAE. Treatment for almost every procedure is available instantly without waiting for several weeks.
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Technologies: UAE is very popular for offering advanced and innovative technologies for medical treatment. The excellent use of AI and Robotics in surgeries, 3D printing for dental treatments, wireless brain sensors, and CRISPR are some of the advanced facilities added to the list. The hospitals in the UAE have the most up-to-date surgical equipment for cancer and other treatments.
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Government Initiative: Abu Dhabi Medical Tourism Portal, Dubai Health Experience has been launched by the government of the UAE to provide the best tourism services to international medical tourists. It helps them to receive services such as contact with medical professionals, booking appointments, visas, accommodation arrangements, transportation, etc.
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Ease of Travel: There are 10 commercial airports in the UAE, with the Dubai and Abu Dhabi International airports being the largest. It is more convenient to travel to the UAE than to Europe or America because the visa process to the UAE is very easy. For local traveling, a wide range of cars and taxi services are available to make your trip hassle-free.
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Tourist Spots: UAE is popular for its nightlife, lavish hotels, malls, and skyscrapers. The country has beautiful spots to spend some of the best days of your life. From Burj Khalifa to Jumeirah Mosque and Jumeirah Beach, there is a lot to witness in the country.
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Alternative Therapies: Alternative health treatment therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, Ayurveda, etc are very popular in the country. The country promotes these methods for natural treatment and healing. Medical travelers get several options to choose from and receive natural therapies.
What are the popular medical treatments in the UAE for foreigners?
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Dental treatment
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Cancer treatment
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Orthopedics
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Cosmetic Surgery
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Fertility Procedures
Cost Comparison of Medical Treatments Between the UAE and the UK
The cost of the treatments can vary greatly from hospital to hospital and depends on the extent of the procedure. Below we have mentioned an estimated cost:
| Treatment | Cost in the UAE | Cost in the UK |
| Facelift Surgery | $5880 | $11295 |
| Root Canal Treatment | $353 | $824 |
| Bariatric Surgery | $2722 | $16942 |
| IVF | $3267 | $5647 |
As mentioned above, medical procedures in the UAE are much more affordable than in the UK. This is one of the significant reasons UAE is in the top game of medical tourism.
Are medical treatments expensive in the UAE?
As a medical tourist, receiving medical treatments in the UAE is not cheap but compared to other developed nations such as the US and the UK, certain medical procedures in the country are available at lower costs. It will help the patients to save money.
UAE has a rich and robust healthcare system and the Dubai Health Authority has set up price regulation laws to maintain the reasonable prices of all hospitals.
How to choose a hospital in the UAE?
If you are visiting UAE for the first time to receive medical treatments, it is vital to do extensive research among the best hospitals to finalize the right one for you.
Here are some important tips to consider finding the best hospital in the UAE:
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Hospital’s Credential: Before finalizing any hospital, make sure to check the credential and certifications of that particular hospital. There are 14 JCI accredited hospitals in the UAE and it is one of the most recognized accreditation bodies. It is vital to check if the hospital’s accreditation is still valid or not.
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Services: In recent years, the quality of services in the hospitals of the UAE especially in the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi has risen. If you are traveling to Dubai for the first time, it is better to gather as much information as possible about the hospital’s services such as airport transfer, appointment arrangements, accommodation, etc. Many hospitals in the country also arrange prayer rooms and international cuisine. So, it is beneficial to ask the hospital staff before your arrival if they can provide such services.
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Patient Reviews: Online patient reviews will help medical tourists to understand the quality of treatment and services the hospital provides. Before selecting any hospital, you need to check patient reviews and ratings. Choose the hospital with the most positive rating for hassle-free medical treatment.
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Safety and Infrastructure: As per Government regulations, all hospitals must have all the necessary safety measures. Check if the hospital has fire precautions, the latest medical equipment & resources, and a hygienic environment. Also, make sure that the hospital has several emergency rooms and ICU beds.
How do I get a medical treatment visa for the UAE?
To obtain a UAE medical treatment visa, you don’t need to go to a UAE embassy in your home country because the admission permit is organized by your sponsor (the hospital where you will receive the medical treatment). In order to sponsor your visit, the hospital must be certified and registered in the UAE.
The passport of a medical tourist should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. If you are traveling to the country with any medicines that the UAE class under narcotics or psychotropic, you need to get them approved by the UAE authorities in advance.
Medical visa for Dubai
To get a patient entrance permit for Dubai, your sponsor will submit an appeal to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
Medical visa for Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates
To receive medical treatment in a hospital in Abu Dhabi and the other seven Emirates, your sponsor will apply for a medical visa through the e-Chanel platforms of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA).
What are the requirements needed to travel to the UAE?
The following documents are required for a UAE medical visa:
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A copy of your passport
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Proof of financial stability
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A letter from the hospital explaining the cause of the visit
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Proof of medical insurance that covers the stay in the UAE
Nationals of the following countries can enter the UAE without a visa for up to 90 days within 180 day period:
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EU member states (excluding the UK and Ireland)
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Russia
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Norway
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Switzerland
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Iceland
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Honduras
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Montenegro
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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Liechtenstein
Mexico's citizens may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 180 days.
Nationals of the following countries may enter the UAE without a visa for up to 30 days:
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Ukraine
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Japan
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China
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Macau
Is it safe to travel to the UAE for medical treatment?
UAE is a safe country as there have not been any recent reports of terror attacks. Dubai has considered one of the safest cities in the world having a crime rate of virtually 0%. Crime against women is rarely reported but it is suggested to female travelers to not travel at night in the country.
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Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi: A multi-specialty hospital that provides 7-star hospitality and was awarded as the Best Asian Healthcare Brand by The Economic Times.
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Aster Cedars Hospital, Jebel Ali: A super specialty hospital founded in 1986 and is accredited by the Joint Commission International for its advanced healthcare infrastructure and excellent healthcare delivery.
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Thumbay Hospital, Ajman: It is the first JCI-accredited private hospital in Ajman and one of the leading private hospitals in the UAE.
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Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai: It is a multispecialty hospital with JCI accreditations. It is also CAP Accredited.
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King's College Hospital, Dubai: A multi-specialty hospital with JCI accreditation established to locally provide world-class healthcare facilities.
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Dr. Radwan Elhussein: An expert Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgeon, practicing for more than 22 years.
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Dr. Yahia Kabil: He is a renowned ENT Surgeon with an extensive experience of 50+ years.
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Dr. Abraham Paul: He is a well-known Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon having 40+ years of experience.
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Dr. Sarmad Al Fahad: He is among the renowned Neurologists practicing for more than 40 years.
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Dr. Sadir Al Rawi: A well-known Surgical Oncologist with 28+ years of experience in his field.
To Conclude
Medical tourism in the UAE is proliferating at a supersonic speed. Due to its location, the country is an easy stop for visitors. The country provides high-quality treatment at a competitive price and that’s why every year, it welcomes a large number of medical tourists from every part of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do doctors speak English in the UAE?
A lot of doctors and other medical staff working in the UAE are from other different countries. They speak fluent English and do not let language barriers pose a problem for international patients.
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Is Dubai good for medical treatment?
Dubai has one of the best public health systems worldwide that offers high-standard of medical care in state-of-the-art facilities.
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How many hospitals are JCI accredited in the UAE?
There are 14 hospitals across the UAE that have been accredited by JCI.
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Can tourists get medical insurance in Dubai?
HALA medical insurance coverage policy is designed for tourists visiting UAE with a valid visit visa. It provides an expense of up to AED 150,000 against medical emergencies that may arise during the visa period.
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What are the medical tests for a UAE visa?
Applicants are screened for hepatitis, leprosy, HIV, tuberculosis, and syphilis. Pregnancy blood tests for women are also available at an additional charge of AED 50.
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