A Complete Guide for Dentists Moving to the UAE in 2026

Immigration of dentists to the United Arab Emirates over the past years has become one of the most promising migration options for dental and healthcare workers. For Middle Eastern dentists who look for high earnings, employment stability, a high level of healthcare services, and high quality of life in the new country, the United Arab Emirates remains one of the best options. With the immense number of activities for the development of their healthcare sector, construction of modern clinics for dental practices, attraction of international dentists, and enhancement of the overall quality of healthcare services in the country, the dental community of the United Arab Emirates has developed a favorable environment for the rapid growth of the dental jobs market. In this guide by Dxboffplan, we will analyze in the greatest possible detail all specifics pertaining to the subject of dentists immigration to UAE in order for you to have a complete overview of the migration process ahead of you.

Here are the key points of this article:

• There are lucrative, fast-growing prospects for dentists immigration to UAE.
• DDS or DMD degree and verification of credentials are needed.
• Clinical experience of two years is necessary for licensing.
• Dentists need to take the DHA Prometric test.
• Dentist salaries are tax-exempt in the UAE. They are higher in larger cities.
• Specialists make significantly more than general dentists.
• Dubai has the strongest job market and provides modern clinics.
• Immigration costs for dentists include charges for exams, costs for PSV, and visa charges.
• Issues of living costs and licensing processes remain the challenges for dentists immigrating.

Dentists Immigration: Why the UAE?

High incomes, lots of jobs, great quality of life, and positive economic conditions in the UAE are the reasons behind dentists immigration to UAE. Dentists in the UAE have the highest-paying jobs in the country. With a shortage of dental experts in the country and the rapid growth of healthcare centers, the need for foreign dental experts continues to rise.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a dynamic dental environment thanks to their modern dental clinics, high investment in the health sector, and the number of health tourists. The result has been a thriving dental profession in the country.

Requirements for Dentists to Immigrate to the UAE

For the procedure of dentists immigration to UAE, the basic requirement would be a professional doctoral degree in dentistry (DDS or DMD) from a recognized university. The degree should be recognized by the health authorities in the UAE, and the evaluation of the degree may be possible by educational verification services. Most of the applicants would look to gain degrees from the top universities in the UAE to have less hassle in degree verification and entering the profession. Dentists who have finished their studies in foreign institutions would also have to obtain degree equivalence and the proper steps for registration from the health authorities of the UAE to qualify for professional licensing.

Even in the UAE, while there are no set maximum ages for dental practitioners to apply, candidates under the age of 45 have a greater likelihood of being hired since the employer would also want to have a person qualified enough to engage in long-term professional activities. Nonetheless, to qualify for the licensing examination program and be hired in the majority of the Emirates, one needs to have worked for a minimum of two years following their graduation.

DHA vs DOH vs MOH Licensing Requirements for Dentists in the UAE

To apply for immigration to the UAE for purposes of employment as a dental expert in the country, the application process involves a range of required documents. These documents are evaluated by the health departments in the UAE under the title of DHA, DOH, or MOH to determine the candidate’s scientific, professional, and moral capabilities. Here are the DHA vs DOH vs MOH Licensing Comparison for dentists immigration to UAE:

This comparison must help dentists easily understand which licensing path suits their qualifications and career goals in the UAE

Documents Required for Dentist to Move to the UAE

Below follows the list of the main required documents for application evaluation to obtain a dental license in the UAE:

• Valid Passport: The passport should have a minimum of six months of validity. This serves as the main document for registration in the UAE Immigration and the Healthcare System.
• Official Dentistry Degree (DDS or DMD): Submit the professional doctorate degree in dentistry from a recognized and approved university in the UAE.
• Dental program transcripts: Transcripts will be evaluated as additional documents to determine the quality of your educational program. This document should have a professional translation.
• Valid certificate of work experience: At least two years of relevant work experience after completion of studies.
• Language certificate (Optional in some scenarios): A score for your English test, for instance IELTS, may not be a required document; however, your employers may need it. A high score in the test would make your CV more attractive.
• Professional Resume (CV): A professional resume needs information on the candidate’s prior work experience, skills, contact details, and all personal information.
• Recent passport-sized photograph: A passport-sized photograph taken against a light background needs to be provided for the registration process.
• Health or vaccination certificate (required in some emirates): Some healthcare centers may require additional documents including the vaccination card or health certificate.

Process of Immigration for Dentists to Dubai

Dentist immigration to the UAE involves a number of official steps that have to be addressed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Adherence to these steps is one of the factors that would prove very vital in the issuance of a work permit to allow the immigrant to offer services in Dubai. These steps below highlight the detailed process of immigrating to Dubai for dentists:

1. Preparation of all Necessary Documents

Step one of dentists immigration to UAE requires the submission of all the documents required to qualify for the visa. These documents may include the dental degree qualification certificate, the transcripts of your degrees, the document for the length of your work experience, your passport, the certificate of good standing, and your personal photos.

2. Setting up a Sheryan Account

To avail the health services in Dubai, you have to register your account in the Sheryan system. This tool is used for the submission of details, uploading of documents, and processing of license requests.

3. Getting the Eligibility ID

Once you register in Sheryan and upload your documents, your application will be reviewed by the DHA. After approval, your Eligibility ID will be issued. Your Eligibility ID ensures you qualify for the remaining processes before the exam.

4. Requesting Primary Source Verification (PSV)

At this point, you have to enter the DataFlow system to apply for PSV. During the application process for PSV approval, your educational qualifications, work experience, professional documents, or certifications may be checked from their original source. Getting PSV approval is one of the critical factors required to sit for the licensing exam.

5. Scheduling the DHA Prometric Exam

After you have gotten your Eligibility ID and passed PSV, you have to schedule your DHA dental Prometric exam. This test assesses the professional knowledge of dentists. A number of applicants take the necessary steps to prepare for the scientific test by studying the resources for the DHA Dubai exam.

6. Review the Exam

After attending the nearest test center, review the exam results. The results appear on the portal in a very short period of time. Passing the exam is one of the important steps to gain the dental license in Dubai.

7. Processing of travel Documents to Dubai

After clearing the exam and the successful approval of your documents by the DHA, your application proceeds to the licensing procedures. At this point in your application process, you will have to prepare for relocation to Dubai. Additionally, you will have to apply for a working visa. Dubai will not hire you until you complete all the processes discussed above.

Dentist Salaries in the UAE

In the UAE, salaries for dentists particularly would be significantly higher compared to many of the neighboring nations. This makes the UAE a very attractive location for dental specialists. A major advantage of dental jobs in the UAE specifically for dentists: the salary is Tax-Free.

Earnings may depend on the following factors: years of experience, skills you have to offer, your specialty, your location (city), the type of the clinic (whether private or public), and your skill in attracting clients. Generally speaking, general dentists have high earnings too; however, practicing a specialization in the profession—in orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, or implant dentistry—is usually more lucrative. This is a general range of the average possible earnings of a dentist in the UAE:

In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where the need for dental services is higher, the average monthly salary tends to be higher. Specialists also make higher earnings in upmarket dental clinics.

Advantages of Immigration for Dentists to UAE

Dubai being one of the world leaders in terms of advanced technology and riches provides unmatched opportunities for growth, high earnings, and a great life. Some of the most significant advantages of immigrating to Dubai for a dental professional include the following:

High Income and Tax Exemption

One of the main reasons to consider dental work in Dubai is the high net earnings. Dentists in Dubai look forward to high salaries. Most importantly, they pay no income tax. This makes their net earnings higher compared to many other countries.

High Demand for Foreign Dentists

With high growth in the population, Ex-pats from different parts of the world, an increased number of medical centers, Dubai faces a shortage of dental specialists. There are abundant opportunities for jobs since many clinics look for qualified dentists to hire.

Contemporary Working Environment and High Standards of Living

Dubai clinics and hospitals have the latest dental equipment. A professional setup helps in gaining more expertise. There will be more skills and satisfaction in the job.

Career Growth Possibilities and Specialization Options

There exist excellent opportunities and high quality of life for dentists in Dubai to gain expertise in highly specialized courses and workshops while being comfortable and completely safe. These allow for continuous professional growth. Immigrants might not experience the same situation in their hometown.

Easier and Faster Immigration Processes Compared to Western Countries

The processes of immigrating to Dubai to obtain a license to carry out dental services there have shorter durations compared to Canada, Australia, or the USA. This makes Dubai a major attraction for dentists.

Cost of Immigration for Dentists to the UAE

The cost of immigrating to the UAE for dentists will depend on the type of immigration or the services required but includes some general costs. A significant portion of the cost will be for the evaluation of documents, the request for PSV, the Prometric test, the cost of registration in the DHA or DOH, as well as the cost of document translation.

Moreover, there exist some additional costs including visa issuance costs, tickets for travel to the country, accommodation until finding a place to live in the country, insurance costs, and some initial costs of living in the country. Here is a total cost breakdown for dentists immigration to UAE in 2025:

Taking all the costs into account, the cost of dentists immigration to UAE would be less compared to Western countries. Still, the costs have to be calculated meticulously. This would particularly be required in Dubai and Abu Dhabi since the cost of living in both cities would be high.

Challenges of Immigration for Dentists to UAE

Despite the many benefits, immigrating to Dubai to become a dentist may also involve some difficulties. Being aware of these difficulties helps in proper planning. The following sections delve into specific difficulties providing a clear insight regarding dentists immigration to UAE:

• Legal complex licensing process of the DHA
• High costs for document verification (PSV) charges for the Prometric test for licensing certifications
• Competition in well-known and private clinics in Dubai
• High cost of living, including the cost of rent and transport
• Have to adjust to another type of work environment and different medical standards
• Need for strong communication skills to attract patients in a competitive market

Best Cities in the UAE for Dental Work

The United Arab Emirates has a number of big and developed cities that have their own attractions for dentists. Many candidates become aware of these locations when looking for the best cities to study in the UAE. At the top of the list is Dubai where there is a great interest in foreign dental practitioners.

One of the best options for dentists in the UAE would also be in Abu Dhabi. This would be due to the modern hospitals they have there, the stability of their jobs, and the very favorable conditions of living. Some of the alternatives for dentists would also be in Sharjah or in the region of Al Ain. They also offer a diverse range of opportunities but the salaries are lower compared to Dhabi or Abu Dhabi.

The Dental Job Market in the UAE

The dental industry in the UAE has experienced a great deal of growth in the last few years. In fact, it has become one of the fastest growing healthcare industries in the country. A number of factors have worked together to ensure that the industry always has a steady stream of workers. These factors include the high number of expatriates in the country. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have international clinics of high standards compared to other countries. These cities have more employment opportunities for dentists. Moreover, the lack of experts in the niche of dental implants, orthodontics, and aesthetic dentistry has also made the employment market even more lucrative. With favorable working conditions, high earnings, and a professional environment, the UAE has become one of the choicest destinations for dentists around the world.

Final Words

The UAE provides a favorable atmosphere and great financial opportunities for rapid career growth in the dental profession. Dubai and Abu Dhabi in particular are the place to be if you have high lifestyle expectations when immigrating as a dentist. But for dentists immigration to UAE, there exists an official process; for example, there’s the evaluation of credentials, the Prometric test, the procurement of the DHA license, and the completion of the entire visa process. Knowing the benefits and challenges of the process, financial needs, hard work in preparing for the test, and acquaintance with the work culture in the UAE can make the entire process a success. If you are serious about moving, you need to have a plan for where you intend to stay. At Dxboffplan, we have the necessary expertise in the Dubai and UAE real estate market to guide you in making the correct decision for the new path of your life in the UAE. Want to invest in off-plan properties in the UAE? Looking for the latest housing prices in Dubai? Contact us for more information and a free consultation session today.