UAE
UAE tightens medical screening for Filipino workers
New rules require expatriates from the Philippines to undergo stricter health checks before arriving in the Emirates for employment.
The UAE, in coordination with GCC and Philippine health authorities, has updated medical screening rules for Filipino workers. The changes add new tests and digital certificates to prevent the entry of infectious diseases, impacting how domestic and professional workers secure their employment visas.
New medical screening regulations for Filipino nationals seeking to work in the UAE have been implemented to align with broader GCC standards. The updated rules, enforced by the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines and recognised by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), introduce more comprehensive health checks before a worker can leave their home country. This change aims to standardise the screening process across the GCC and ensure that all incoming workers are free from certain infectious diseases. For Filipino workers, this means completing a more rigorous medical examination at a DOH-accredited clinic in the Philippines before they can be issued an entry permit for the UAE. ## What are the new rules? The primary change is the introduction of a standardised "Pre-Employment Medical Examination" for all Filipino workers bound for the UAE and other GCC countries. Previously, medical certificates could be obtained from various clinics, but now they must be issued by a facility accredited by the GCC-approved Medical Centers Association (GAMCA). Key changes include: - **Centralised System**: Workers must first register with GAMCA, which then assigns them to…