How to Renew OHC Medical Card in UAE: Simple 2026 Guide

Working without a valid Occupational Health Card can lead to hefty fines starting at AED 5,000 for first-time offenders, with penalties doubling for repeat violations.

For professionals in food handling, healthcare, or beauty industries, maintaining a valid OHC is not just a legal requirement but also essential for workplace safety. Consequently, understanding how to renew your Occupational Health Card in UAE efficiently can save you both time and money.

While many expatriates find the renewal process confusing, it's actually quite straightforward when you know the exact steps. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about renewing your OHC medical card in 2026—from required documents to processing times and fee structures.

Whether you're a first-time renewer or looking for a faster way to update your credentials, the following sections will walk you through each step of the process. Additionally, we've included insider tips to help you avoid common mistakes that could delay your application.

Why Renewing Your OHC Medical Card Matters

Maintaining a valid Occupational Health Card (OHC) is fundamental for thousands of workers across the UAE. This document serves multiple critical purposes beyond mere administrative compliance.

Ensures you're medically fit to work

The primary function of an OHC medical card is to verify that employees are physically capable of performing their specific job duties safely. Through standardized screening tests, the card confirms workers are free from communicable diseases that might affect colleagues or customers [1]. Furthermore, these examinations typically include comprehensive health assessments such as checkups, laboratory tests, and radiological services including chest X-rays.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has established unified Occupational Health Services Standards to ensure consistent health verification across industries. This standardization helps protect both the worker and workplace by confirming physical competence for job-specific tasks.

The OHC medical card essentially serves as a safeguard, ensuring that employees in sensitive sectors maintain appropriate health standards throughout their employment period, not just at the beginning.

Avoids legal penalties and fines

Operating without a valid OHC in the UAE can result in severe consequences. Specifically, employers face substantial fines for each worker found without a valid card during inspections [2]. Depending on the number of offenses and job category, these penalties can escalate significantly.

For individual workers, the repercussions are equally serious:

• Risk of job suspension until a valid OHC is obtained

• Potential termination from employment

• Inability to continue working in hygiene-sensitive roles

For business owners, the stakes are even higher. Non-compliance can lead to:

• Heavy monetary penalties

• Official warnings from authorities

• Possible temporary business closure

• Damaged business reputation and customer trust

Moreover, if you travel outside the UAE, you must renew your expired OHC within 5 working days of re-entering the country. This strict timeline underscores how seriously authorities take this requirement.

Required for public health-related jobs

The OHC system forms a cornerstone of public health protection throughout the UAE. By ensuring regular screening of workers in sensitive sectors, the program helps prevent disease outbreaks and maintains high public health standards.

Notably, an OHC is mandatory for professionals in frequent contact with the public. The Dubai Municipality specifically requires these cards for employees working in establishments directly connected to public health. This includes personnel in:

• Food service establishments (restaurants, cafeterias, catering centers)

• Food retail (grocery stores, foodstuff trading)

• Childcare facilities (kindergartens)

• Personal care services (health clubs, fitness centers, spas, salons)

• Manufacturing operations (bakeries, furniture polishing businesses, printing presses)

The purpose of these requirements is clear—to protect community health by ensuring those in public-facing roles cannot transmit contagious diseases. For instance, food handlers must be verified as disease-free to prevent foodborne illness transmission.

The validity period for an OHC is typically one year from issuance, requiring annual renewal to maintain compliance with health regulations. This regular verification creates an ongoing safeguard for public health rather than a one-time check.

When and How Early to Start the Renewal Process

Timing plays a critical role in the smooth renewal of your OHC medical card in the UAE. Understanding when to initiate the process can help avoid complications with your employment status and legal standing.

Ideal timeline before expiry

The renewal timeline for your Occupational Health Card depends primarily on your nationality and current card status. For UAE and GCC residents, the health card remains valid for five years, whereas other nationalities must renew annually. This difference in validity periods affects how frequently you'll need to plan for renewal.

The Dubai Health Authority permits renewal one month before your card's expiration date—not earlier. However, most occupational health professionals recommend beginning the renewal process between 2 to 4 weeks before the expiration date to avoid any work disruptions. Some sources suggest starting the process at least 30 days before expiry, creating a practical window that aligns with official regulations.

Mark your calendar with these key renewal timeframes:

• Earliest possible renewal date: One month before expiration

• Recommended starting point: 2-4 weeks before expiration

• Latest advisable time: No later than 2 weeks before expiration

Although you cannot officially renew a health card that's valid for more than a month [2], you can certainly prepare the necessary documentation during this period. This preparation ensures you'll be ready when the renewal window opens.

While tracking renewal dates ultimately falls under employer responsibilities [6], smart employees maintain awareness of their own deadlines. This shared responsibility helps prevent oversight that could lead to expired cards and subsequent complications.

Consequences of late renewal

Operating with an expired OHC medical card carries significant ramifications for both employees and employers throughout the UAE. The authorities have implemented strict enforcement measures to ensure compliance with health regulations.

For employees, allowing your card to expire can result in:

• Immediate job suspension until a valid OHC is obtained

• Prohibition from working in hygiene-sensitive positions

• Required reapplication through the full initial application process

Employers face even steeper penalties when their staff work with expired health cards:

• Fines ranging from AED 500 to 5,000 per employee found without a valid OHC

• Potential temporary business closure during health inspection failures

• Damage to business reputation and customer trust

• Official warnings from health authorities

If you travel outside the UAE and your card expires during your absence, you must contact the Dubai Health Authority for specific guidance on renewing from abroad. Upon returning to the UAE, you typically have a short window to address the renewal.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has streamlined the process for paying fines related to late renewals through the TAMM digital platform [10]. This service enables users to settle outstanding renewal fines efficiently within approximately six minutes, though prevention remains preferable to paying penalties.

Given these potential consequences, maintaining awareness of your OHC expiration date and initiating renewal within the recommended timeframe represents a simple yet essential professional responsibility in the UAE.

Documents You Need for OHC Renewal in UAE

Preparing the right paperwork is a crucial step in the OHC medical card renewal process. Gathering all required documents beforehand saves time and prevents unnecessary visits to health centers.

Copy of current or expired OHC

The cornerstone document for any renewal application is your existing Occupational Health Card—even if it has already expired. This original card serves as proof of your previous medical clearance and employment status within the UAE health system.

Medical centers need this document primarily to verify your identity and confirm your previous health screening results. Many facilities use this information as a baseline for your new examination, allowing them to compare changes in your health status since the last assessment.

First-time applicants obviously won't have this document, which is why the renewal process often proceeds more quickly than new applications. The renewal application essentially builds upon your existing record in the system.

Passport and valid UAE visa

Your passport remains the fundamental identification document throughout the renewal process. All approved health centers require a clear copy of your passport alongside your application materials. This passport copy must show your personal details page containing your:

• Full legal name

• Nationality

• Date of birth

• Passport number and expiration date

In conjunction with your passport, you must provide a copy of your valid UAE residence visa. This visa demonstrates your legal residency status and right to work in the UAE. Some application centers may reject incomplete applications where either the passport or visa copy is missing or unclear.

Job offer letters or employment contracts might be requested in certain scenarios, especially if you're changing employers or working in a new hygiene-sensitive sector. These documents help verify your specific role and industry.

Emirates ID and recent photo

Your Emirates ID card serves as your official identification within the UAE and must be included with your OHC renewal application. Most health centers and typing offices request a clear copy of both sides of this card, though some sources mark it as "optional" for certain nationalities.

Above all other photo requirements, you'll need to submit a recent passport-sized photograph that meets the following specifications:

• Taken against a white background

• Clear facial features with neutral expression

• No headwear (except for religious purposes)

• High-quality print with good contrast

The photograph requirements follow standard UAE government documentation guidelines. Poor quality or outdated photos can delay your application processing, as they're used for identification verification throughout the renewal process.

After collecting these essential documents, you'll be fully prepared to visit an approved medical center to complete the remaining steps of your OHC renewal. The thorough preparation of these documents ensures a smooth application process without unnecessary delays or complications.

Step-by-Step Process to Renew OHC in 2026

The renewal process for your OHC medical card follows a systematic path through UAE's healthcare system. Understanding each step helps ensure a smooth experience without unnecessary delays.

Visit a Dubai Municipality-approved medical center

First, schedule an appointment at one of the authorized medical facilities. The UAE health authorities recommend visiting any of these official centers:

• Al Safa Health Center (7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Sunday to Thursday)

• Al Satwa Health Center (7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday to Thursday)

• Al Nahda Health Center (7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Sunday to Thursday)

• Dubai Municipality Clinic in Deira (7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Sunday to Thursday)

Prior to your appointment, arrive at least 20 minutes early to complete initial check-in procedures at the Customer Happiness Center [5]. This advance arrival ensures proper registration and minimizes waiting time.

Complete required medical tests

Upon check-in, you'll proceed through a series of mandatory health examinations typically including:

1. Blood tests to screen for communicable diseases

2. Chest X-ray examination

3. Stool test (depending on your occupation category)

The medical examination verifies you're free from infectious diseases as mandated for UAE residency [11]. After completing these tests, a physician will evaluate and diagnose your case [5]. Different occupations require specific screening protocols—food handlers undergo particular tests versus healthcare workers or beauty professionals.

Submit application via typing center

Once medical testing concludes, submit your renewal application through an authorized typing center. These centers are government-registered private companies that process documentation for various official services.

The typing center will:

• Input your personal information into the official system

• Process the application through the Medical Fitness System (Salem)

• Collect applicable fees according to your occupational category

Fees vary substantially based on your profession—ranging from AED 290 for food handlers to AED 690 for healthcare workers [1]. Most applications incur additional processing charges.

Receive your renewed card

After submission, your examination results will be sent directly to you via email and SMS. Processing typically takes 24 hours for results and report issuance. The complete OHC card renewal normally finishes within 2-5 working days, depending on test results and application volume.

Remember that results are delivered electronically through the Salem system, reducing paperwork and streamlining the process. Successfully renewed cards remain valid for one year from the date of issue, requiring another renewal before expiration.

Cost and Service Options for Fast Renewal

Understanding the financial aspects of OHC medical card renewal helps you budget appropriately and choose the right service options for your needs in 2026.

Typical renewal fees

The cost structure for OHC renewal varies based on nationality and professional category. Basic renewal fees include:

• UAE citizens: AED 20

• GCC residents: AED 20

• GCC visitors: AED 50 (one-year validity)

• Expatriate residents: AED 100 (one-year validity)

• Expatriate visitors: AED 100 (three-month validity)

• People of Determination: AED 50

These basic fees typically include additional charges:

• EHS smart application fee: AED 15

• Bank service charges (variable)

• Typing center fees (if using this service channel)

For specific job categories, fees differ substantially:

• Food handlers: AED 290

• Healthcare workers: AED 690

• Beauty services and spa workers: AED 660

• Construction industry workers: AED 320

Optional fast-track services

Several centers offer expedited processing options that reduce waiting times. These services include:

Al Taj Medical Examination Center provides fast-track service that completes medical screening in just 15 minutes. This center operates seven days a week with extended hours on weekdays (8:00 AM – 8:00 PM).

Generally, the total cost for OHC renewal ranges between AED 200 to AED 600 depending on the health center and additional services selected. Many centers accept credit and debit card payments.

Where to get typing and medical services

For convenient typing services, several options exist:

Amazon Attestation Office Dubai offers reliable typing services for OHC renewals. Likewise, SH Typing Center specializes in processing applications with minimal delay [8]. Many typing centers provide free pickup and delivery services throughout UAE.

For medical examinations, visit:

• Government-run DHA medical fitness centers

• EHS-operated facilities like Al Nahda Medical Examination Center

• Private clinics authorized by health authorities

Al Taj Medical Examination Center in Sharjah City Center offers a convenient location with ample parking and no appointment necessary.

Conclusion

Renewing your OHC medical card remains a crucial obligation for professionals working in healthcare, food handling, and beauty industries throughout the UAE. Throughout this guide, we've outlined the essential steps needed to maintain compliance with UAE health regulations while avoiding potentially steep penalties.

Starting your renewal 2-4 weeks before expiration certainly helps prevent unnecessary complications. Additionally, gathering all required documents beforehand—including your current card, passport, valid visa, and Emirates ID—streamlines the entire process.

The renewal journey itself follows a straightforward path: visiting an approved medical center, completing necessary health screenings, submitting your application through a typing center, and finally receiving your renewed card. Undoubtedly, understanding these steps saves both time and stress during the renewal process.

Cost considerations vary based on your nationality and profession, with fees ranging from AED 20 for UAE citizens to AED 690 for healthcare workers. Fast-track services also offer convenient options for professionals with tight schedules, completing examinations in as little as 15 minutes at select centers.

Above all, maintaining a valid OHC card protects not only your employment status but also public health standards across the UAE. Consequently, treating your renewal as a priority rather than an afterthought ensures continuous work authorization while supporting the country's rigorous health safety protocols.

The renewal process, though seemingly complex at first glance, actually proves quite manageable with proper preparation. Therefore, following this guide will help you navigate the 2026 OHC renewal requirements efficiently, keeping you legally compliant and professionally secure in your UAE workplace.