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Dubai is becoming a popular destination for medical professionals due to advanced medical facilities and standardized healthcare systems, supported by AI advancements and a unified database across all seven emirates of the UAE. The Dubai healthcare system is regulated by the DHA, overseeing the licensing of healthcare practitioners, making regulations for medical procedures, and maintaining patient safety by only allowing competent candidates with recognized qualifications, relevant experience, and good ethical conduct.
Similarly, Doctors from Canada with their home country license can join the Dubai healthcare system if they acquire a DHA license. To get a DHA license as a Canadian doctor, you have to fulfill the eligibility criteria by using the self-assessment tool or by manually comparing your status with the DHA eligibility regulations.
Once eligibility is confirmed, you can start the application process by submitting your medical qualifications, your Canadian license, and your personal details. After submitting all the required documents, you have to appear in the DHA exam.
Exam clearance is not necessary for all, but exemptions are available. For instance, consultant physicians with a specialization certificate from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) are exempt from the exam, as it falls under recognized Tier 1 specialty certificates as per the PQR.
Once you pass the test, you can apply for the job, and the hiring facility will then activate your license. In this article, we have provided a detailed overview of how Canadian professionals can get a DHA license, covering how much it costs, how long it takes, and how to avoid delays or rejections.
What Are The Requirements for Canadian Doctors to Get a DHA License?
The Requirements for Canadian doctors to get a DHA License include holding a recognized medical degree, complete internship if required, meeting experience requirements, passing the DHA assessment, providing good standing certificates, and submitting verified documents through the Dubai Health Authority licensing system, including background checks and malpractice records. The table below provides a quick overview of the requirements of the DHA licence for Canada-based physicians.
| Category | Qualification | Experience | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intern | Recognized MBBS / MBChB or equivalent | No experience required | Mandatory completion of a 12-month internship |
| General Practitioner | MBBS / MBChB or equivalent from an accredited institution | 2 years of clinical experience + internship | Experience required for all GPs |
| Specialist | MBBS / MBChB + recognized specialty qualification (≥ 3 years) | Tier 1 or Tier 2 qualifications are not required to have experience after the main or sub-specialty if the qualification was obtained within the past two (2) years. Specialists with Tier 3 qualifications require 3 years after the main specialty and 2 years after the sub-specialty | Experience counted only after the specialty/sub-specialty |
| Consultant Physician | MBBS / MBChB + higher recognized specialty qualification | Tier 1: 2 years (main) / 1 year (sub)Tier 2: 5 years (main) / 4 years (sub)Tier 3: Not permitted | ABMS board certificate holders are exempt from experience (except surgical & interventional) |
1. Educational Qualifications
Canadian Physicians need to have a medical degree from a certified educational institution. The degree should be recognised by the authorities in the UAE. For example, some Canadian Universities like the University of Toronto or McGill University, are recognized by the DHA, and candidates who graduated from these universities are allowed to participate in the licensing processes.
| Category | Qualification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Intern | MBBS or MBChB (or equivalent medical degree) from an accredited medical school | An internship is a mandatory supervised clinical training period completed after graduation, before eligibility for further licensure. |
| General Practitioner | MBBS or MBChB (or equivalent) + successful completion of 12-month internship | Physicians must complete an internship and meet GP licensing requirements before independent practice. |
| Specialist | Specialization Certificate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) OR Certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) | These Canadian credentials are explicitly recognized by UAE authorities as approved specialty qualifications (Tier 1 recognition). |
| Consultant Physician | Recognized Canadian specialty qualification (RCPSC/CCFP) aligned with PQR “Recognized Specialty Certificate” requirements. | Consultant title is granted after meeting Tier-based post-qualification criteria defined by the PQR framework. |
2. Professional Experience
Canadian Physicians need to have relevant clinical experience unless they are interns or have specialty certifications with strong postgraduate training as per the DHA standards. The experience has to be practical and hands-on in the relevant area they want to practice.
| Category | Experience | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Intern | No experience required | An internship itself is the supervised clinical practice period following graduation and is required for licensing progression. |
| General Practitioner | Minimum 2 years of clinical experience after completion of internship | Experience must be hands-on, relevant clinical employment; non-clinical or observership roles are not accepted. |
| Specialist | Tier 1 (Canada – RCPSC/CCFP): No additional experience required after obtaining the specialty qualification (if qualification is recent). | The tier-based framework allows direct eligibility due to a strong postgraduate training structure. |
| Consultant Physician | 2 years’ experience after main specialty qualification OR 1 year after subspecialty qualification (Tier 1 pathway). | Consultant eligibility depends on post-specialization clinical practice aligned with recognized specialty certification. |
4. Exams
The DHA exam is mandatory for all physicians to practice in Dubai to evaluate a doctor’s understanding of the application of medicine and clinical skills, except in cases where DHA recognizes the home-country exam as equivalent. For example, holders of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) are exempt, as it falls under the recognized Tier 1 category.
3. Primary Source Verification or PSV
Canadian Physicians are also required to complete Primary Source Verification. This is when the DHA verifies a doctor’s qualifications by contacting the schools or organizations that issued them to confirm that the qualifications are genuine.
5. Good Standing Certificate (GSC)
A Good Standing Certificate must be issued by the relevant authority or the last employer within the last six months. This document helps verify the healthcare professional’s good conduct; if needed, the authority may request additional evidence, grant temporary permits, and allow licensed residents to transfer within UAE facilities for further inquiry.
Which Canadian Professionals are Exempt from the DHA Exam?
Not all Canadian-trained doctors must take the DHA licensing exam. Physicians recognized credentials such as RCPSC for physicians, LMCC for general practitioners, NDSE or NDEB for dentists, and valid Canadian licensure for laboratory technologists, subject to recent practice, good standing, and English proficiency requirements where applicable.
The exemption applies only to exams while still requiring credential verification and licensing review. The table below shows the details of DHA exam exemptions for each Canadian professional category.
| Category | Canadian Qualification | Exam Exemption | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant Physicians | Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) (Tier 1 specialty certificates) | yes | |
| Specialist Physicians | Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) (Tier 1 specialty certificates) | yes | |
| General Practitioner | Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) | yes | |
| Consultant Dentist | Evidence of passing the national dental specialist examination in Canada (NDSE) | yes | The applicant must have practiced for at least two years in a listed country, hold a valid two-year license there, and provide a Good Standing Certificate confirming that period of practice |
| Specialist Dentist | Evidence of passing the national dental specialist examination in Canada (NDSE) | yes | |
| General Dentist | Documented evidence of passing all parts of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada examination | yes | |
| Medical Laboratory Technologists | Applicants who have a valid license & GSC issued from Canada; however, the qualification should be obtained within the recent (3) years, or there is no Gap of Practice since the last day of employment | yes | English proficiency scores if their education or licensure was not conducted in English |
How Do Canadian Doctors Get a DHA License?
To get a DHA license, Canadian doctors follow the same structured licensing pathway defined by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), with possible exam exemptions depending on qualifications. The main steps include:
- Create a Sheryan Account
- Submit Required Documents
- Complete Primary Source Verification (PSV)
- Undertake DHA Assessment (If Required)
- Receive DHA Registration
- Activate License Through Employer
- Start Clinical Practice
Create a Sheryan Account
Register on DHA’s online portal to start your licensing application and confirm eligibility.
Submit Your Documents
Upload your medical degree, license, experience certificates, and other required records for review.
Credential Verification (PSV)
DHA verifies your qualifications directly with the issuing institutions to ensure authenticity.
Take the DHA Assessment (If Required)
You may need to pass a Computer-Based Test (CBT) or an Oral Assessment unless your qualification is exempt.
Receive DHA Registration
After approval, DHA issues a registration certificate confirming you are eligible for licensing (not yet allowed to practice).
Activate Your License Through an Employer
A DHA-approved hospital or clinic activates your registration into a full license.
Start Practicing in Dubai
Once activated, you can legally work as a doctor in Dubai.
How Much Does the DHA License Cost for Canadian-Trained?
Obtaining a DHA license costs Canadian-trained doctors, ranging from about CAD 1,110 to CAD 1,835 for General Practitioners, while Specialists and Consultants may spend roughly CAD 2,200 to CAD 3,670, depending on exam requirements, verification steps, and document volume. The details about the cost of each stage are provided below.
| Step | Typical Fee (CAD Approx.) |
|---|---|
| DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) | CAD 200 – 1,005 |
| Prometric DHA Exam | CAD 150 – 200 |
| Eligibility Application | Around CAD 75 |
| Licensing Application | CAD 740 – 1,110 |
| Re-verification (if required) | CAD 70 – 100 per document |
How Much Time is Required for Canada-Based Doctors to Get a DHA License?
The time required for a Canadian doctor to obtain a DHA medical license typically ranges between 28 and 60 days, depending on the license category, document verification timeline, and whether the exam exemption applies. For specialists, the process may take around 90 to 150 days when handled through a licensing consultancy such as Felix Happich, due to additional credential review and onboarding procedures.
Consultancy Requirements to Get a DHA License
Consultancy is not necessary for getting a DHA license if you know the process and have a clear understanding of the requirements. However, professionals contact consultants to avoid unnecessary expenses and mistakes and decrease delays. Because of consulting agencies, Canadian physicians comply with DHA guidelines while completing the licensing process.
- Agencies help physicians assemble and submit the required documentation.
- They assist with the Primary Source Verification for each of the documents to prevent the process from stalling.
- Exam preparation and coaching for those required to sit for the DHA licensing examination.
- A consulting agency guides the physician on how to best fulfill the experience and qualifications required.
What are the Best DHA Licensing Agencies in Dubai?
Dubai has numerous DHA-licensed agencies that help Canadian physicians obtain DHA licenses. These agencies handle tasks like submitting your application and conducting Primary Source Verification. They also prepare you for the exam and assist with any other needs once you have your license. Some of the best agencies are:
Felix Happich Healthcare Licensing Agency
With a detailed specialisation in DHA licensing for healthcare workers, Happich Medical Licensing Agency provides tailored services for Canadian physicians for effortless processing.
DHA Official Licensing Portal
Aster Health Solutions is a consultancy company in Dubai that helps clients with the job placement and licensing procedures with the DHA.
Mideast Health Consultancy
Mideast Health Consultancy assists with the licensing process of the DHA for doctors who are Canadian graduates. Furthermore, they provide document verification and coaching for the exams.
FAQs
Can I work in Dubai with a Canadian medical license?
No, you can not directly work in Dubai with a Canadian medical license. But you have to obtain the DHA license from the Dubai Health Authority.
Can I get a DHA license while living in Canada?
No, a Canadian physician cannot obtain a license while living in Canada; however, some steps of the licensing process can be completed there, while major steps like license activation and securing a job offer must be completed in Dubai.
How can a Canadian doctor get a DHA license without an exam?
A Canadian doctor who is a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and holds postgraduate qualifications can get a DHA license without an exam.
What are the test centres in Canada for the DHA Exam?
The test centres in Canada for the DHA Exam include Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, Vancouver in British Columbia, Winnipeg in Manitoba, St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Halifax in Nova Scotia. Candidates may also consult DHA licensing agencies for local guidance.
How can I schedule a DHA exam in Canada?
You can either do it through the DHA booking system or through some agencies that do DHA licensing.
When can I take the DHA exam in Canada?
Yes, you can take the DHA exam in Canada at different centres several times a year.
Do I need to renew a DHA license after living in Canada for a long time?
Yes, DHA licenses are not valid indefinitely and have to be renewed annually. Canadian doctors who have been outside the UAE for long periods may face additional requirements in order to renew the DHA license.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when applying for a DHA license from Canada?
The common mistakes to avoid when applying for a DHA license from Canada.
- Failing to submit the full and proper set of documents
- Not having the required documented work experience
- Not completing the Primary Source Verification thoroughly
Does the DHA recognise Canadian board certification for physicians during licensing evaluation?
Yes, Canadian board certifications, including the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, are recognised by the DHA for the licensing evaluation.
