04/06/2026
🏥 Dubai launches ‘smart medical visa’ and takes another step towards global leadership in medical tourism
The UAE has long been a popular destination for treatment, but now the process will become much easier. Dubai authorities are working to launch Smart Medical Visa, a new system that will combine treatment, paperwork and patient support into a single digital ecosystem.
Previously, foreign patients had to independently find a clinic, take out insurance, resolve accommodation issues and collect documents through various organizations. The new system should take over most of these processes.
What is known about the project:
💙 The visa will be issued for 90 or 180 days with the possibility of extension if long-term treatment is necessary.
💙 The visa will be sponsored by the medical institution receiving the patient.
💙 All stages - from submitting documents to medical services and insurance support - will be integrated into a single digital system.
💙 Patients will be able to obtain an entry permit for an accompanying family member.
Interestingly, the initiative is part of Dubai’s strategy to develop medical tourism. Today, the emirate is already one of the world’s leading medical hubs, and the UAE is considered one of the countries with the highest number of clinics accredited by the JCI (Joint Commission International) standard - the international “gold standard” for the quality of medical services.
🏙 This is also important news for the real estate market. Medical tourism creates a strong demand for short-term rentals, service apartments and hotels. Areas near medical clusters such as Dubai Healthcare City, which already has more than 160 medical facilities, could especially benefit.
The new visa is not just a convenience for patients. This is another step towards turning Dubai into a global center of medicine, technology and comfortable living.