UAE
New medical rules screen Filipino workers for UAE jobs
The Philippines, UAE and other GCC states have updated health screening requirements for overseas workers, impacting hiring processes.
By 19Network Editorial Team · Aug 27, 2026 · 3 min read
New mandatory health screenings are now in effect for Filipino workers seeking employment in the UAE and other Gulf countries. The rules aim to standardise medical checks and reduce costs for applicants before they leave their home country.
New medical screening rules for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) heading to the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are now in effect. The regulations, implemented by the GCC Approved Medical Centers Association (GAMCA), aim to streamline the health-checking process and ensure workers are fit for employment before they depart the Philippines. Previously, workers underwent a preliminary medical exam in the Philippines and a second one upon arrival in the UAE. The new "1-slip" policy requires a single, more comprehensive medical examination from a GAMCA-accredited clinic in the Philippines. This clearance is valid for 90 days and is a prerequisite for obtaining a UAE work visa. ## What is the new medical screening policy? The policy centralises pre-departure medical examinations for all GCC-bound Filipino workers. Applicants must now secure a medical slip through the official GAMCA online portal and undergo a fitness examination at a designated medical centre in the Philippines. This single report is then used by UAE employers to begin the visa application process with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The key change is that this comprehensive Philippine-based medical exam replaces the initial, less stringent checks. The results are shared across the GCC, meaning a worker deemed unfit in one member state cannot simply apply in another. According to the Philippine Migrant Workers Department, this change is designed to protect workers…