Medical Residency in the UAE: How the Three Pathways Work

Where EMREE fits

EMREE is a qualifying exam, not a licence and not an application. The official exam structure page says candidates must pass it to qualify for residency training, and that “subsequent requirements for acceptance into residency training are detailed at the respective websites of the participating authorities.” Passing EMREE makes you eligible to apply; it does not secure a place. Equally, EMREE is not a licence: in Dubai, for example, enrolment is subject to completing the DHA licensing process.

Each authority uses the result differently. DoH Abu Dhabi asks UAE graduates and international graduates for a score of at least 70 (UAE nationals need a pass). Dubai Health uses score, percentile and number of attempts in shortlisting, and also accepts the Saudi Medical Licensing Exam (SMLE). EHS asks for a pass in EMREE. Results are valid for up to two years. See our EMREE passing score page for details.

The three pathways at a glance

Do not treat these pathways as interchangeable. Age limits, English scores, time-since-graduation limits and selection methods all differ. Our residency eligibility comparison sets them side by side.

No single national match, but a cross-match

We found no single national residency match portal. Each authority runs its own application and selection. The authorities are coordinated in two ways: the common entrance exam, EMREE, and a cross-match or post-match between regulators. DoH’s MEAD 2026 timeline included a “post-match with other regulatory bodies” from 24 June to 6 July 2026, and Dubai Health describes a cross-match that compares accepted candidates across UAE health authorities and entities. A candidate ranked by more than one picks one.

Because each authority sets its own deadline, it is possible to miss one window while meeting another. In the last published cycles the windows overlapped between mid-February and the end of March, so prepare your EMREE result and documents before February if you want to keep all options open. Remember too that every EMREE attempt appears on the transcript the authorities see, so a well-prepared first attempt is worth more than an early one.

Abu Dhabi: DoH Medical Residency Program

The DoH programme listed 44 medical, 5 pharmacy and 3 dental programmes for MEAD 2026, with training facilities including CCAD, SKMC, SSMC, Tawam, Zayed Military Hospital, Burjeel, Corniche and AHS Al Ain. Applicants may apply to up to three programmes per cycle. Matched positions cannot be declined, and withdrawing bars the applicant from future cycles. Read our Abu Dhabi residency programmes guide.

Dubai: Dubai Health GME

Dubai Health residency admissions are administered through MBRU. Selection combines shortlisting (50%, including the entrance exam and a portfolio), a multiple mini interview (MMI, 20%) and a specialty interview (30%). Enrolment is subject to completing the DHA licensing process, and only full-time trainees are accepted. Read our Dubai residency programmes guide.

Northern Emirates: EHS

EHS lists residency programmes in Family Medicine, Paediatrics, ENT, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Anaesthesia & ICU, Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, lasting four to five years. Registration opens each March, the application fee is AED 600 and review takes about four weeks. Acceptance of an application does not guarantee a seat; interviews and seat availability decide. Read our EHS residency programmes guide.

Plan your route

A practical sequence, which is our suggestion rather than an official process:

1. Check eligibility for each authority you are considering, including age, graduation and English limits: eligibility comparison.
2. Sit EMREE in time for the application window, aiming for the score your target authority uses: EMREE dates.
3. Gather documents early, especially credential evaluation and English results: applications guide.
4. Prepare for interviews: interview guide.
5. If you trained outside the UAE, read our guide for international medical graduates.

Independence notice: EMREE UAE (emreeexam.com) is an independent preparation platform. We are not affiliated with UAE University, the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS), the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health/DHA, MBRU, Emirates Health Services or any other authority. Always confirm details on the official sites linked on this page.

By the EMREE UAE editorial team · How we write and check content