UAE to give visas to foreign patient’s companion if medical report states necessity of presence

Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) allows foreign patients to enter the UAE for treatment under the sponsorship of the medical establishment, where they would be seeking treatment.

The entry permit of the patient’s companion can be extended only once provided that a duly certified medical report states that the patient needs to continue treatment and that his/her companion is needed in the UAE.

The sponsor (medical establishment) takes the responsibility of processing entry permits for treatment upon the patient’s request.

In Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs grants entry permits for treatment on the sponsorship of medical establishments (public and private) to foreigners wishing to enter the UAE for treatment. Permits are of two types, single entry and multiple entry.

The documents needed to process the entry permit are the patient’s passport copy, a letter from a registered hospital explaining reasons for visit, the patient’s health insurance and financial security.

The sponsor must be a hospital licensed and registered in the UAE

In Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, the ICP provides treatment and entry permit services via the eChannels platform. ICP covers the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

It issues single entry treatment visas, single entry treatment visas for family groups, multiple entry treatment visas, and multiple entry treatment visas for family groups.

Regarding patient companion entry permit in Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs grants entry permit to foreign patient’s companion. Permits are of two types: single and multiple entries.

The companion’s entry permit can be extended only once provided that a duly certified medical report states that the patient needs to continue treatment and that his/her companion is needed in the UAE.

The required documents to process the entry permit include the companion’s passport copy, the companion’s health insurance and financial security.

The issuance of the entry permit is subject to that the sponsor must be a hospital licensed and registered in the UAE, and that the companion must enter with the patient having a similar entry permit.

While in Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, the ICP provides entry permit services for a patient’s companion via the eChannels platform. ICP covers the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. It issues single entry patient companion visas, single entry patient companion visas for family groups, multiple entry patient companion visas, and multiple entry patient companion visas for family groups.