In this guide 8 sections
Check your category and the next intake
DoH lists separate requirements for UAE nationals, UAE graduates and international graduates. Your nationality, the country where your university awarded your degree and where you live now are separate facts. If your circumstances could place you in more than one category, ask DoH to confirm which one to select. Get that answer before using a score threshold or paying for an evaluation. DoH residency categories and eligibility
The 2026 timetable gives you a sense of the order of the work. DoH reviewed applications after the submission window. Facility screening and interviews followed, with ranking and matching later. There was then time allocated to licensing and contracts before training began. Record those stages in your own planner, and enter dates when the next cycle publishes them. In particular, allow time between asking for a document and receiving a version you can submit.
Start a simple record of your nationality, university, qualification, graduation date, internship dates and any practice interruptions. Add the programme you intend to apply for and the question you need answered. An enquiry such as “Which applicant category should I use for this qualification and nationality?” gives the team a precise point to confirm. Ask through the contact route on the programme page, and use the authorised portal for documents that contain personal details.
If you have yet to finish internship, check the intake’s completion deadline against the date your institution expects you to finish. Ask who can issue a letter and how long it takes to obtain one. A shift in your expected completion date can affect which intake you plan for, so leave that date marked as provisional until your institution confirms it.
Build your eligibility and evidence checklist
At the source check on 9 November 2026, the programme page listed a minimum residency entrance exam score of 70 and 3.0 GPA or 80% for international graduates, plus evidence of English proficiency. It also listed graduation within five years and an age limit below 30 on 1 September of the application year for that category. These are the published criteria at the time of checking. Confirm which versions and dates apply to you when the next intake opens, particularly if you are close to an age or graduation cut-off or have time away from practice. DoH residency eligibility and document requirements
Separate eligibility from supporting evidence
Separate the qualifying condition from the evidence that demonstrates it. You might have completed an internship but still need to obtain the certificate. You might have a valid English result today that will expire before an intake-specific deadline. Write the issuer, date and outstanding question next to every item so you can see where to spend your time.
| Evidence | Prepare now | Check for the intake you plan to enter |
|---|---|---|
| Degree certificate and transcript | Record the exact qualification name, award date and original grading scale. | Ask what credential evaluation DoH accepts and whether a current transcript is enough if a final one is pending. |
| Internship completion evidence | Keep your certificate or ask your institution how to obtain an official expected completion letter. | Confirm the accepted issuer, what the letter needs to show and the latest permitted completion date. |
| Residency entrance exam | Find the original result and note when you took the exam. | Check that DoH accepts that exam and that your result remains valid at the relevant stage. |
| English test result | Record the test type, result and test date. | Check the accepted version, threshold and validity for your applicant category. |
| Passport, photo and CV | Check expiry, name spelling and whether your clinical history is in order. | Check the document validity rules and whether your circumstances require extra evidence. |
Check how long your documents will take
Worked example. A graduate has a transcript in a university grading system and an internship expected to finish later in the year. Their university can supply a current transcript and needs two weeks to prepare an official letter. The graduate asks DoH which evaluation to request and whether an expected completion letter is accepted. They ask the university for the document turnaround, then compare the expected internship end date with the published intake deadline when it is available. That gives them a preparation plan even while their eligibility remains to be confirmed.
Use the names and dates on the original records. If your passport name differs from your degree certificate, ask the programme what evidence it accepts to explain the difference. Check before paying for translation, credential evaluation or attestation. These services address different document needs and the next intake instructions should guide which you order. DoH applicant guide · UAE document attestation guide
Choose training programmes you could attend
The approved programme list shows facilities and specialties. Use it to identify possible training locations, then check which programmes are available to your category in the application cycle. DoH says some programmes can restrict eligibility to UAE nationals. A facility appearing on the approved list therefore gives you a lead to check with the current portal. DoH approved programmes and programme conditions
Start with a specialty you can explain in an interview. Think about which parts of your clinical experience support it and what you still want to learn. Then identify the facility and location. If one option is in Abu Dhabi city and another is in Al Ain, test the move for each separately. Ask where you would report and whether you should plan for training across different sites.
| Shortlist question | What to put in your notes |
|---|---|
| Can I apply in my category? | The programme name and the cycle-specific eligibility entry. Mark any ambiguity for confirmation. |
| Where would I train? | The named facility, city and any additional site the facility confirms. |
| What could I discuss at interview? | One example from training, one area you want to develop and one question about the programme. |
| Can I attend and start on time? | The interview instructions, earliest start you can manage and anything still uncertain. |
| Would I accept a match here? | Your decision once you understand the location and any practical constraints that affect it. |
Compare the practical costs of each training site
Shortlist example. Suppose you find two suitable specialties at separate facilities. One is near the area where you expected to live. The second would mean relocating to a different city in the emirate. Confirm the training sites before comparing rent or transport. If the second site would only be feasible with a specific housing arrangement, find out whether that arrangement is realistic before putting the facility on your rank list. Working in Abu Dhabi
Apply through TAMM and prepare for interviews
Use the TAMM application linked from DoH’s residency programme page when the confirmed window opens. Follow the form and declaration instructions, upload the requested files and keep the submission reference. Check that your name, qualification and dates match across the form and attachments. Open each file before submitting to make sure it is readable and complete. DoH application instructions
Keep a record of when you submitted and where to look for updates. If the portal asks for a corrected document, read the request carefully and record any response deadline. If the message does not identify which document needs changing, use the programme’s support route to ask. Keep the corrected file separate from the first version so you can tell what was sent.
DoH checks eligibility. Facilities then shortlist applicants for interviews, and the programme guidance says interview attendance is required to be considered for matching. Check each invitation for booking instructions, location or joining details, and what the facility asks you to bring. If you are overseas, check the local time for the interview and allow for any time difference. DoH selection and matching process
Prepare two or three short examples from training. For each, write down the situation, your role, what you did under supervision and what you learnt. Choose examples you can discuss without sharing patient details. Also prepare a question about the programme that would help you decide whether you can commit, such as where trainees report at the start or which site to use when planning a commute.
Review your rankings before matching
Read the published match, acceptance and withdrawal rules before submitting a rank list. DoH’s programme page sets conditions on accepting matched posts and describes restrictions on future applications after withdrawal. Check the current rules if you have other applications, a notice period or a placement that could finish later than expected. Ask the programme team how to handle a conflict before you rank. DoH match and withdrawal conditions
Before you submit, read each entry as if it were the only offer you received. Check that you know the site, can attend when needed and could make the move in time. If you are relying on a decision from someone else, record who owns it and when you expect to hear. That might be an internship completion letter from your institution or a notice date your current employer needs to confirm.
For example, if you are awaiting an offer from another country, note when it is due and compare that date with the DoH ranking deadline. If you may be asked to commit to one before hearing from the other, ask each programme about its rules rather than assuming you can hold both options. Save a copy of the choices you submit and the date.
Check the offer and plan your move
DoH says employment arrangements are handled by the assigned facility and sponsorship can depend on the applicant and facility. When an offer arrives, read the response deadline, the start date and the next steps. Ask the facility who handles licensing and visa paperwork and what it needs from you. Confirm whether any step must be finished before you can travel or start. DoH sponsorship and enrolment guidance
Build your budget from the facility’s written terms. Note any salary or allowance and the first payment date shown in writing, and ask what accommodation, transport or relocation costs are covered. Separate application and document costs you have already paid from costs you may need to cover after accepting. For housing, compare the upfront amount and the journey to your training site. Moving to Abu Dhabi
Keep three dates in view: when you must respond to the offer, when the facility needs your documents and when you must report. Ask about timing if any of these dates are still provisional. If you are comparing travel or accommodation, check how the cost changes if your start date moves. That gives you a clearer basis for deciding when to book.
Common questions
Can an international graduate apply for Abu Dhabi residency?
DoH includes eligible international graduates in the medical residency programme. Confirm the category that applies to you and check that your chosen specialty accepts applicants in that category for the intake you plan to enter. DoH residency eligibility
Can I apply while finishing my internship?
DoH lists an official letter confirming an expected completion date as one option. Check who must issue the letter and whether your expected finish is within the intake’s published deadline before relying on it. DoH residency documents
Does meeting the minimum score guarantee an interview?
The score forms part of the eligibility check. Training facilities shortlist applicants for interviews, and available posts and the programme’s matching process affect whether you receive an offer. DoH selection and matching
Does matching confirm visa sponsorship?
Ask the assigned facility for written confirmation. DoH says visa sponsorship depends on the applicant category and facility, and the assigned facility handles employment arrangements. DoH sponsorship guidance
When should I start paying for exams and document checks?
Check the next dated intake notice, your applicant category and the accepted evidence first. If you already have a result or report, check its validity for the relevant stage before paying to replace it. DoH residency requirements
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