Patients with a UAE Health Card can access medical care at discounted rates in public hospitals. It helps avail affordable healthcare services for both residents and expats, covering everything from routine check-ups to emergencies.
Applying for or renewing your health cards is quick and convenient, thanks to the Emirates Health Services (EHS) online portal. So, let’s discuss the UAE health card issuance and renewal process in detail.
- Required Documents
- Service Fees
- Issuance Process
- Renewal Process
- Service Completion Duration
- Service Channels
- Target Audience
- Contact Details
- FAQs
How to Get a Health Card in the UAE
The Emirates Health Services (EHS) allows users to apply online for health card issuance in the UAE. The health card grants them access to medical and treatment services at the best hospitals in UAE.
To get a health card in the UAE, you must fulfil the following requirements:
Required Documents
The required documents for issuing and renewing the card are:
1. Husband or Wife of UAE Citizen
The required documents for health card issuance for spouses (both foreign and UAE citizens) are:
- Residence permit for the husband or wife
- Emirates ID husband or wife
- Passport husband or wife
- Family book for UAE national husband or wife
- Marriage contract or continuity certificate
2. Children of UAE Female Citizens
The required documents for issuing health cards for children of UAE female citizens are:
- Birth certificate
- Emirates ID for the son or daughter
- Passport for the son or daughter
- Proof of non-marriage and non-work for children over 18 years old
- Emirates ID for the mother
- Passport for the mother
- Family book ‘Khulasat Al Qaid’ (for the mother)
3. Parents of Citizens
The required documents for parents of citizens are:
- Residence permit (father or mother) (except for citizens of the GCC)
- Emirates ID (father or mother)
- Valid passport (father or mother)
- Valid passport (son)
- Birth certificate (son)
- Dependency certificate or kinship certificate (father or mother)
- Valid Emirates ID (son)
- Family book ‘Khulasat Al Qaid’ (for the son)
4. Newborns
The required documents for issuing health cards for newborns are:
- Birth certificate
- Passport of both parents
- Emirates ID of both parents
- Residence permit of both parents
- Mother’s residence permit
Service Fees
The following service fees are required at the time of both issuance and renewal. Also, the fees are categorised according to the citizenship:
1. Citizenship
- UAE citizens: AED 20
- GCC Resident: AED 20
- GCC Visitor (Validity: 1 year): AED 50
2. Other Fees
- AED 15 for Smart Application Fees
- Bank service charge
- Additional charges for applying via typing centre.
Patient consulting doctor
Issuance Process for UAE Health Card
The process for health card issuance at EHS is divided into two parts:
1. Smart Service Using a Valid Emirates ID Card
Here’s the step-by-step process for online application:
- Create the request either through the EHS online service or at typing centres.
- Pay the service fees.
- Issue the card.
2. Manual Transactions
The manual method requires supporting documents attachments and the process steps are:
- Create requests via smart service online or at typing centres.
- Pay service fees.
- The delegated health registration officer reviews the applicant’s requests.
- Applicant receives an approval confirmation via a text message and email.
- After that, the applicant can avail the service.
- In case of rejection, the applicant can modify and resubmit the request for approval.
Renewal Process for UAE Health Card
This service allows patients to renew their expired health cards and access medical services through EHS facilities. The step-by-step process for health card renewal via the EHS online portal is as follows:
- Create the request either through the online service or at typing centres.
- Pay the service fees.
- Issue the health card.
- The designated health registration officer reviews the request.
- If approved, the applicant will receive a confirmation text message and email.
- After the approval, the applicant can avail the service.
- If the application is rejected and returned, the applicant can modify and resubmit their request for approval.
Service Completion Duration
The duration for service completion is:
- Smart Service by using a valid ID card requires 3 minutes.
- Manual transactions take 3 working days from application submission/re-submission.
Service Channels
There are two service channels for applying for the issuance as well as renewal of the card:
- EHS Website
- Typing Centres
Target Audience
The beneficiary categories of UAE health card service are:
- UAE Citizens
- GCC Citizens
- Expats
- UAE Visitors
Contact Details
For further details about the EHS health card, call the official EHS at the following contact numbers:
- Helpline: 171
- Phone: +971-4-777-1777
- Toll-free: 800 8877
FAQs
A UAE health card allows holders to access low-cost medical treatments and care services at EHS health facilities.
You can renew your health card one month before its expiry. However, it can’t be renewed if the card is valid for over a month.
The Emirati healthcare system combines public and private sectors, offering free universal healthcare in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. However, expats require private insurance for medical expenses. Check out this expat’s guide to healthcare in the UAE to get all the details about UAE medical services.
The card is valid for five years for UAE and GCC nationals and one year for other nationalities.
With the convenience of a Health Card, accessing quality healthcare in the UAE is quite easy. The process of obtaining or renewing your health card is straightforward, requiring minimal effort.
You will be pleased to know that some of the best hospitals in Dubai, Sharjah, and other Emirates are part of the EHS network. For a comprehensive overview of medical services in the UAE, consult our MOHAP guide.
For more information on UAE healthcare, check out the Property Finder blog.
