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The Residency Training Programme is a postgraduate medical training scheme established for healthcare professionals to participate in professional research and career development in Dubai. The main purpose of the Residency Training Programme is to bridge the gap between university medical qualifications and professional medical practice through real hospital work and clinical responsibility.
It is managed by the Dubai Health Authority across all hospitals and training centers in the emirate, providing training with continuous evaluation, guided supervision, and gradual responsibility based on residents’ skills and well-being.
The process to enroll in residency programs and obtain the necessary training in the medical health facilities of the Emirates Health Services starts from 26 January 2026 till 27 March 2026. Once you register and fulfill all requirements, including an accredited MBBS obtained within five years, a completed or scheduled internship by 31 August, an internship completed within four years, and no more than twelve months of clinical practice gap.
After submitting the requirements, you will submit the application form. The authority will evaluate all applications, and then you will proceed through multiple structured stages, including interviews, the cross-match system, and final acceptance results, if your application is accepted. Overall, the selection of the residents is based on scores, interviews, and their complete profile.
Each residency has a fixed duration. Most programs last between four and six years. For example, Anaesthesiology is a four-year program, while General Surgery is a 5 years residency program accredited by the Arab Board of Health Specializations. During this time, residents receive structured rotations, assessments, and academic teaching. They also earn a salary and hold a training position under the DHA.
For many International medical graduates, this program is the main route to specialization in Dubai. It also supports future licensing, career growth, and stability in the UAE healthcare sector. Understanding the program step by step helps you plan better. It saves time. It reduces mistakes. And it improves your chances of success.
What is the Residency Training Programme for Health Specialties in Dubai?
The Residency Training Programme is a structured training program established by the Medical Education & Research Department in 2006 to provide healthcare professionals with medical education, clinical training, opportunities to participate in professional research, and career development in Dubai. It offers structured training with continuous assessment, allowing residents to build skills and gain independence under experienced consultant supervision.
What is the purpose of the medical residency program in Dubai?
The main purpose of the medical residency program is to train doctors to become competent, confident, and ready to contribute effectively to Dubai’s healthcare system. It improves healthcare quality in Dubai and supports local workforce needs. In short, it aims to:
- Develop clinical skills of healthcare professionals
- Ensure patient safety in the Emirate
- Build specialist expertise in a specific field
- Support healthcare growth according to global standards
- Promote professional development with expert help
What are the benefits of the residency program in Dubai for Healthcare Professionals?
The benefits of the residency program in Dubai include doing practical hospital work and enhancing medical and procedural abilities. It helps them build expert knowledge in specialties and opens career growth paths. The seven (7) main benefits are provided below.
- Gain hands-on hospital experience.
- Improve clinical and procedural skills.
- Learn best patient practices
- Become an expert in specialization
- Advance medical career opportunities
- Follow international medical standards
- Strengthen the Dubai healthcare workforce
What are the requirements for the residency program in Dubai?
The requirements for the residency program in Dubai are based on defined educational, clinical, and verification standards to confirm that applicants have completed proper medical education, continuous clinical practice, verified credentials, and sufficient English skills. The main requirements are provided below.
Education
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Medicine degree or an equivalent qualification from a WHO-listed medical school. This confirms that the medical education meets international standards.
Internship
A recognized one-year internship is required. The time between graduation and the start of the internship must not exceed 24 months. This requirement is essential for medical licensure and program eligibility.
Degree Attestation
Medical degrees and internship certificates must be officially attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of issue and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm authenticity. It is for the professionals who have qualifications from outside the UAE.
UAE Equivalency
Applicants must obtain a Certificate of Equivalence from the UAE Ministry of Education. This ensures the qualification is accepted within the UAE education system.
Language and Translation
Any document not issued in Arabic or English must be translated into English by a notarized translator to ensure clarity and accuracy.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants who obtained degrees outside the UAE must prove English proficiency through TOEFL (550+), IELTS Academic (6+), or OET (300 with C+ in all sections). However, UAE graduates are only exempted if they provide a letter that confirms that English was the medium of instruction in the accredited institute.
Academic Records
UAE graduates must submit their final GPA transcript, while non-UAE graduates must complete an ECE evaluation.
Exams and Verification
All certificates must undergo Primary Source Verification (PSV). Applicants must also hold a valid EMREE pass certificate.
Experience and Activities
Relevant work experience, research, publications, courses, conferences, volunteering, or awards may strengthen the application.
Clinical Practice Requirement
Applicants must not have a break in clinical practice longer than 12 months at any time. National service for UAE nationals is excluded from this rule.
Personal Documents Requirement
- Completed residency application form.
- Passport copy and photo.
- Attested MBBS/MD degree certificate.
- Attested academic transcripts.
- Internship certificate.
- English language certificate (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL).
- Primary Source Verification (DataFlow report).
- CV/resume.
- No-objection or employer letter (if employed)
What are the Selection Criteria for the residency program in Dubai?
The Selection Criteria for the residency program in Dubai are based on a balanced review of academic performance, language ability, interview outcomes, and overall achievements. This process helps identify candidates with strong medical knowledge, clear communication skills, professional behavior, and commitment to continuous learning and service.
- Academic performance: Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Language proficiency: English language certificate score
- Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) and specialty interviews
- Achievements: Research activities, scientific presentations, community or social volunteering, skill development courses, and academic awards
What is the Process for the for the residency program in Dubai?
The process for the residency program in Dubai involves creating an account on the Emirates Health Services (EHS) Portal, completing the residency application form, and submitting all the required documents and fees. The final step is approval by the authority, where all complete applications are reviewed using predefined criteria that measure academic performance, exam results, professional skills, and suitability for specialty training.
The main steps include:
- Register on the Emirates Health Services (EHS) Portal
- Submit the healthcare residency application form
- Attach all the requested documents
- Pay the application fee
- Authority Review
- Initial Screening (50%)
- Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) (20%)
- Specialty Interview (30%)
- Final Ranking and Admission
- Enrollment letter from the Authority
Register on the Emirates Health Services (EHS) Portal
Creates a profile on Emirates Health Services (EHS) Portal, selects the the digital-services and make memorable username and password. This profile becomes your official record for your residency application status.
Submit the healthcare residency application form.
Submit the healthcare residency application form by putting the correct professional and personal credentials for assessments and verification.
Attach all the requested documents
Attach all the required documents, whether it is educational or personal, which are provided above. These benchmarks define eligibility, seniority, and permitted speciality.
Pay the application fee
After fulfilling all requirements, pay the processing fee of approximately 600 AED as stated on the EHS official portal. This is a one-time fee required for further evaluation of the application.
Authority Application Review
The authority will review your application through 4 different stages. First, they review your application based on GPA, EMREE, and research. Then, they shortlist candidates and ask them to attend MMIs and specialty interviews. The final rank depends on all stages, and admission is confirmed upon approval of the license by the Dubai Health Authority.
- Initial Screening (50%)
- Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) (20%)
- Specialty Interview (30%)
- Final Ranking and Admission
Initial Screening
Initial Screening is the first stage, assessing academic performance, EMREE results, and research. Scores are weighted as GPA 35%, EMREE 35%, and research activities 30%.
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
This is the second stage, worth 20% of the process. Shortlisted candidates are invited by email for Multiple Mini Interviews, while others receive rejection emails. MMIs assess non-cognitive skills, and each candidate receives an overall score based on performance. These skills include
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Empathy and professionalism
- Ethical and moral reasoning
- Clinical decision-making
Specialty Interview
Candidates who perform well in the second stage are nominated for specialty interviews. Invitations and rejections are sent by email. This stage focuses on:
- Interest and commitment to the chosen specialty
- Clinical knowledge relevant to the specialty
- Readiness for residency training
Final Ranking and Admission
Successful candidates are notified by email after the final matching process (Cross Match). Final admission depends on completing all licensing requirements set by the Dubai Health Authority. The ranking is based on combined performance across all stages, using the following weightage as per the DHA official website:
- Initial Screening: 50%
- MMI: 30%
- Specialty Interview: 20%
Enrollment letter from the Authority
An enrollment letter from the authority confirms your acceptance and official registration. It serves as proof that your application has been approved and you are authorized to proceed.
How much does the application for the residency training program cost?
The application for the residency program in Dubai costs 600 AED.
How much time is required to get the DHA residency program in Dubai?
The time required to get the DHA residency program in Dubai is 4 weeks.
What specialties are offered in the residency program and for how long?
The residency program offers training in multiple medical specialties, each with a set duration. For example, Anaesthesiology is 4 years under the Arab Board of Health Specializations, and General Surgery lasts 5 years with the same accrediting body. Other specialties follow similar structured training periods, which are provided in the table below.
| Specialty | Duration | Accrediting Body |
|---|---|---|
| General Surgery | 5 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 5 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations |
| Orthopedic Surgery | 5 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations |
| Anaesthesiology | 4 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations |
| Dermatology | 4 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations |
| Emergency Medicine | 4 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations |
| Family Medicine | 4 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations & ACGME-I |
| Internal Medicine | 4 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations & ACGME-I |
| Anatomic Pathology | 4 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations |
| Paediatrics | 4 Years | Arab Board of Health Specializations & ACGME-I |
Expert Tips for the Residency Program in Dubai
Selection in the Residency Program in Dubai can feel difficult if you are not careful at each step, making the process hard because of small mistakes, rushed decisions, or unclear documentation.
However, when you have a better plan and understand what is truly required, you can easily achieve residency approval. Below are some tips from our experts for increasing the chances of application approval.
- Get degrees and certificates attested in advance.
- A good English test score helps during screening.
- Study before taking the residency exam.
- Research and volunteer work help in selection.
- DHA opens applications only for a small period each year.
- Only complete and correct applications get considered
Frequently Asked Questions:
When does registration open?
Registration opens on 26 January 2026.
When does registration close?
Registration closes on 27 March 2026.
What is the final date to edit and complete applications?
The final date is 10 April 2026.
When will MMI interview dates be announced?
MMI interview dates will be announced on 21 April 2026.
On which dates will the Multiple Mini Interviews take place?
MMIs will be conducted on 03, 04, and 05 May 2026.
When will specialty interview dates be announced?
Specialty interview dates will be announced on 15 May 2026.
During which dates will specialty interviews be conducted?
Specialty interviews will take place from 25 to 29 May 2026.
When will the cross-match system be conducted?
The cross-match system will run on 29 June 2026.
On which dates will conditional acceptance offers be issued?
Conditional offers will be issued between 01 and 05 July 2026.
When will the final acceptance results be released?
Final acceptance results will be released on 06 July 2026.
When will orientation week and the general training course take place?
Orientation and general training will be held from 21 to 25 September 2026.
When does the academic year commence?
The academic year starts on 05 October 2026.
