Gulf job offer, licence and visa order
You can start licence steps without a job offer on several Gulf routes. You still need the right employer and licence approvals before you work.
Facts last verified 5 October 2026. Updated 6 October 2026.
Start with your board’s order
| Board | Before a job offer | Employer or licence step |
|---|---|---|
| DHA, Dubai | Self-assessment, verification, exam and DHA registration. Registration lasts 1 year; it does not permit work. | Facility activates the licence. Non-UAE nationals need a labour card; valid malpractice insurance is required. |
| DOH, Abu Dhabi | Application, review and assessment; an offer is optional at application. | Link to a facility within 3 months of assessment or the application expires. |
| MOHAP | Evaluation and letter after meeting the assessment requirement. | Licence needs an accepted work invitation and a valid facility licence. |
| SCFHS, Saudi Arabia | Classification from abroad; no Saudi work permit needed for that stage. | Registration needs lawful Saudi residence. Employer arranges the work visa and permit through Qiwa. |
| DHP, Qatar | Preliminary evaluation without employer approval since 12 September 2024. Certificate lasts 6 months, cannot be renewed and is not a licence. | Permanent licensing needs QID. The licence is tied to a workplace, except for Qataris. For foreign workers, the employer normally arranges the visa and residence conversion. |
| OMSB, Oman | Free MOH registration from inside or outside Oman. Private-sector nurses: employer submits. | Employer applies for work visa, normally after labour permission. Medical jobs need regulator approval. |
| NHRA, Bahrain | A previously unregistered non-Bahraini needs a facility invitation through Munshaat first. | Mehan application and exam; NHRA approval letter to LMRA, then CPR, fitness certificate, final approval, payment and licence. |
| MOH, Kuwait | We did not find an official stage you can complete without an employer. | Licence names the workplace. Employer and applicant submit the named private-sector physician file together. |
Ask the employer which approval comes first
The UAE mainland work-permit checklist asks for a professional licence. DHA asks for a labour card to activate your licence. Ask your employer which approval it will send first.
Dubai Healthcare City has its own route. Its Letter of Acceptance does not let you work. The visa checklist accepts this letter or a licence. For the licence, you need a job offer from a licensed operator. The offer must be from the last 3 months.
In Sharjah, the assessment certificate does not let you work. You need a licence from Sharjah Health Authority to work in a facility it licenses.
Plan residence and medical steps separately
Do not add service times to plan a moving date. Hiring, replies from your college, exam seats and embassy steps can add time.
- UAE: for residence, you need a medical report. For MOHRE jobs, you also need a work permit. Apply for Emirates ID at the same time.
- Saudi Arabia: enter the country, pass the medical exam and have health insurance before residence approval. The employer pays recruitment, residence and work-permit costs under HRSD rules.
- Qatar: you need separate medicals for residence and your licence. Ask if one result can count for both. Stay in Qatar while the residence permit is changed.
- Oman: check the fitness certificate for your resident card. People from listed countries need an attested medical certificate too. The visa job title must match the work permit.
Check fees and booking by board before you pay. Licence and visa costs are separate.