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The UAE has a systematic approach to patient care regulated by a federal healthcare authority known as MOHAP, supported by different independent emirate-specific healthcare authorities, including the DHA and DOH. And the difference between these authorities obligates the professionals to follow first what the eirate-specific authority demands.
Therefore, when moving from one emirate to another, you need to get a healthcare license issued by the healthcare authority that regulates that emirate. You have to have an MOHAP license to work in the MOHAP-regulated emirate, including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. These emirates do not allow you to work there with a DHA license until you transfer or convert the license to MOHAP.
And, to convert a DHA license to MOHAP, you have to follow a professional evaluation system set by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. You have to complete all eligibility checks, prepare the necessary documents, log in to the UAE Pass, and transfer the DataFlow report to MAHAP.
Then MOHAP starts evaluating the application, which is followed by the fee payment you have to make. Once you pay the fee, the authority reviews and issues an evaluation letter, which helps you get affiliated with a facility and get the license.
Exams are not required if the previous license is active and practice gaps are less than two years, but if your license is not active or practice gaps exceed you have to reappear in the exam.
Once a license is transferred successfully, the old one will remain active, as a professional can hold more than one active license at a time, as per the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements.
Transfer approval usually takes five to eight working days after submission, while the full process may take eight to twelve weeks. Similarly, the cost also varies depending on the need for DataFlow transfer, Good Standing, and the consultant fee. Charge up to AED 2,300.
In this article, we have provided an in-depth overview of the complete license transferring process, including eligibility, requirements, step-by-step process, time, fees, benefits, and challenges, in detail. However, if you still have any issues, do not hesitate to reach out to our experts to find the best way to transfer your DHA license to MOHAP without any issues.
Who regulates the transfer of medical licenses in the UAE?
The transfer of medical licenses in the UAE is regulated by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) in the Northern Emirates, including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. While in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (DOH), it is managed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, respectively.
You have to follow the regulations of the authority to which you are transferring. For example, you are required to follow the rules and requirements set by MOHAP if you want to work in the MOHAP-regulated emirates.
Although each authority operates independently, the transfer is supported through shared systems, including DataFlow verification and UAE Pass. This coordination ensures regulatory control across the UAE healthcare system.
Who is Eligible to transfer a medical license from one emirate to another in the UAE?
To transfer a medical license in the UAE, healthcare professionals must first meet the MOHAP initial eligibility criteria for license transfer. These criteria ensure that only capable and deserving individuals are considered for licensing. For instance, you have to wait for at least 3 months before transferring, which means you can’t transfer a new license. The general eligibility checks are provided below:
- The previous license should last for more than 3 months
- A valid or recently active DHA or DOH license
- Required minimum clinical experience for your profession
- A valid DataFlow verification report
- The professional practice gap should not exceed two years
What are the requirements to transfer a DHA license to MOH?
The requirements to transfer a DHA license to an MOH license are having a valid professional license from the previous authority and work experience that meets the Ministry of Health and Prevention standards, Primary Source Verification (PSV), and verified personal details across all systems. The main Requirements are listed below:
- Valid or recently active DHA license
- Minimum required DHA work experience
- Positive DataFlow verification report
- DHA Good Standing Certificate (valid within 6 months)
- Recognized professional qualification
- DHA exam result (for equivalency or exemption review)
- DHA eligibility letter not older than 6 months
- UAE Pass account
- Emirates ID (if available)
- No disciplinary actions or license suspension
- Practice gap not exceeding 2 years
What are the documents required to transfer the license?
The documents required to transfer the license from the Dubai Health Authority to the Ministry of Health (UAE) include a valid license for professional verification, passport and emirate ID for personal verification, and good standing certificate, and psv report for ethical clarity. The main documents required are provided below.
• Valid DHA license copy
• Passport copy
• Emirates ID copy (front and back, if available)
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Education certificates (degree or diploma)
• Transcript or marks sheets
• Experience certificate from DHA-licensed facility
• DHA Good Standing Certificate
• DataFlow verification report or reference number
What is the complete process to transfer a DHA license to MOH?
The process to transfer a DHA medical license to an MOHAP license involves several steps, including checking eligibility, registering on the MOHAP portal, filling the MOHAP registration form, verifying documents by providing psv report and good good-standing certificate, and finally paying the required fee.
The structured application process ensures that healthcare professionals meet the necessary qualifications and experience for the MOHAP licenses, while also complying with the DHA’s technical and professional regulations. You need to follow the process given below to get a smooth license transfer process.
- Eligibility Check
- UAE Pass Login
- Document Preparation
- DataFlow Report Transfer
- MOHAP Evaluation Application
- Evaluation Fee Payment
- Authority Review
- Evaluation Letter Issuance
- Job Offer Confirmation
- License Issuance by Employer
Check your eligibility for transfer
Before you begin, confirm whether you are eligible or not by checking your DataFlow report, ensure you have a valid eligibility letter, and that your practice gap stays under two years. If any condition fails, the transfer stops immediately.
Log in to the MOHAP portal using UAE Pass.
Log in to the MOHAP portal using UAE Pass using the same email linked to your DataFlow account. Do not create a new email, as you need to connect your existing records and safely link them to the new licensing authority.
Submit mandatory documents
Submit the required documents. These include your passport, Emirates ID if available, DHA eligibility letter or license, education and experience certificates, Good Standing Certificate, and DataFlow report in PDF format.
Transfer DataFlow report
To transfer the DataFlow report, log in to DataFlow and choose the option to transfer an existing report. Select your previous authority, DHA, then link the report to MOHAP. The report will be transferred in a short time.
Apply for the MOHAP evaluation
Now apply for the professional evaluation with the MOHAP authority. For this, you have to follow the steps below.
- Visit the MOHAP website
- Go to the Individual Services section
- Click on Healthcare Professional Evaluation
- Once the interface opens, select the new evaluation application option
Pay the evaluation fee
To cover the cost of the evaluation process, MOHAP has set specific non-refundable fees for professionals that usually range between AED 250 and AED 500. The exact amount depends on your profession and category.
Authority review and assessment
The authority reviews your documents, DataFlow status, exam history, and experience duration. They may approve the transfer or reject the transfer based on the data you provided.
Receive the evaluation letter
If approved, you will receive an evaluation letter showing your professional title, speciality, and registration number. This letter lets you apply for jobs in the UAE. However, it does not allow clinical practice until the full license is issued.
Secure employment
You must receive a formal job offer from a licensed MOHAP facility if you plan to work in the Northern Emirates. Without an offer, licensing cannot proceed.
License issuance by the employer
After hiring, the employer submits the employment contract, facility approval, insurance details, and your evaluation letter. The authority then issues an active professional license, which indirectly means you have successfully transferred your license.
How much time is required to transfer a professional license from DHA to MOH?
The time required to transfer a professional license from DHA to MOH Transferring a professional license from DHA to MOH is about five to eight working days (5-8 working days) if you follow the process in the way we explained above. Which means all documents are submitted and verified in the best possible way. However, it often, two to three months if you make errors or provide mismatched and irregular data.
What is the fee to convert a DHA License into an MOH license?
The fee to convert a DHA License into an MOH license is somewhere around AED 1,500 to AED 2,500. However, the overall transfer cost depends on two sections, including varying consultation charges and some fixed costs if applicable. The fixed costs include the MOHAP evaluation fee of AED 250–500, the DataFlow transfer fee of around AED 210, and the Good Standing Certificate, which may cost about AED 520.
What are the benefits of converting the DHA license to the MOH?
The benefits of converting the DHA license to the MOH include access to 5 different emirates regulated by the MOHAP, a low competition healthcare environment, greater networking opportunities and lower cost for a standard lifestyle. The 5 main advantages for professionals to move to MOHAP include.
- Wider work access
- Higher hiring demand
- Lower overall cost
- Public sector access
- Better career flexibility
Wider work access
You can work in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain. This expands job options beyond Dubai.
Higher hiring demand
MOHAP facilities often need staff. Regional hospitals and clinics hire faster due to shortages.
Lower overall cost
MOH application and exam fees are usually lower than DHA for many professions.
Public sector eligibility
MOH licensing allows jobs in government hospitals and primary health centres.
Better career flexibility
You can move between MOH facilities within the Northern Emirates more easily.
What are the challenges of converting the DHA license to the MOH?
The challenges of converting the DHA license to the MOH often relate to documentation, qualifications, clinical experience, or regulatory compliance. Below are the key reasons why a DHA license conversion may seem complex to professionals.
- DataFlow validity issues
- Stricter criteria for validating the speciality role
- Short eligibility validity
- Waiting until your license reaches three months
- Complex to understand the new portal
- Non-refundable variable fees
How Felix Happich License Consultants can help you with licensure transfer to MOHAP?
At Happich Consulting, our experts will assist you in transferring your DHA license to MOHAP in an easy and savvy way. You will get expert guidance throughout the entire conversion process, from eligibility check to document verification, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Our deep understanding of the specific requirements ensures a smooth and efficient path in transferring your license.
