Do Indian dentists need the DHA Prometric exam?

Yes. All applicants must pass the DHA Prometric exam with a minimum 60 % score before licence issuance.

How long does the full licensing process take?

From document submission to stamped visa, the process usually takes 3–5 months if no documents are rejected.

Can I work on a visit visa while waiting for my DHA licence?

No. You must hold an active DHA licence and a MOHRE work permit before treating patients.

What is the current salary range for a general dentist?

Entry-level general dentists from India typically earn AED 12,000–16,000 per month plus benefits.

Do I need to convert my Indian BDS degree?

No conversion is required; only dataflow verification and the DHA Prometric exam are mandatory.

Can Indian Dentists Work in Dubai 2026?

modern dental office with chair and equipment

Quick answer

Yes, Indian dentists can legally work in Dubai once they hold a DHA licence, a MOHRE work permit and a valid residency visa. The full process takes 3–5 months and costs AED 6,000–9,000 before you start earning.

Why Dubai needs Indian dentists

Dubai’s population passed 3.8 million in 2025, and the DHA projects a 9 % annual rise in dental visits. Most new clinics open in JLT, Dubai Marina and Business Bay, creating steady demand for English-speaking, DHA-licensed dentists from India.

Step-by-step: how to get your DHA licence

1. Credential verification (2–4 weeks)

Upload your BDS degree, internship certificate and passport to the MOHESR system via the DHA portal. Pay the AED 1,050 verification fee and wait for the dataflow report.

2. Prometric exam (book 4–6 weeks ahead)

Register for the DHA Prometric exam (AED 1,050). Most candidates sit the test in India or at Dubai’s Thomson Prometric centre. Passing score: 60 %.

3. Good-standing certificate & experience letters

Request a certificate from the Dental Council of India and experience letters from every clinic where you worked in the last five years. Both must be attested by the Indian MEA and the UAE Embassy in New Delhi.

4. DHA evaluation & licence issuance (2–3 weeks)

Once documents clear, pay the AED 2,100 evaluation fee. You receive an eligibility letter, then pay AED 1,800 for the initial DHA licence card.

Work permit, visa and medical fitness

MOHRE work permit

Your employer applies through the MOHRE online portal (AED 300). The permit is linked to your future residency visa.

Entry permit & medical fitness

After the permit is issued, GDRFA grants a 60-day entry permit. Within 30 days you must complete the DHA medical fitness test (AED 750) at Al Baraha or Al Twar Centre.

Emirates ID & stamping

Book an Emirates ID biometrics appointment (AED 370). The final visa stamp costs AED 1,150 and is usually done at Amer Centre in 24 hours.

Salary expectations for Indian dentists in Dubai 2026

General dentist (0–3 yrs): AED 12,000–16,000
Specialist (MDS, 4+ yrs): AED 22,000–30,000
Consultant/owner: AED 35,000+

Most contracts also include 30 days paid leave, medical insurance and a 5 % gratuity paid annually.

Common mistakes that delay licensing

Submitting un-attested DCI certificates
Choosing the wrong Prometric category (dentist vs hygienist)
Ignoring the five-year experience rule for specialists
Forgetting to renew the DHA licence every year (AED 1,500 late fee)

Cost checklist before you arrive

Credential verification	AED 1,050
Prometric exam	AED 1,050
DHA evaluation & licence	AED 3,900
Medical fitness	AED 750
Visa & Emirates ID	AED 1,520
Total (approx.)	AED 8,270

Tips from dentists already working here

Start credential verification while still in India—many finish it in 14 days.
Join Facebook groups “Indian Dentists in Dubai” for clinic openings.
Negotiate a 3-month probation with a guaranteed licence transfer clause.
Keep digital copies of every attested document on your phone.

Key takeaway

Indian dentists can practise in Dubai without repeating their entire degree, provided they clear the DHA Prometric exam and obtain attested documents. Budget AED 8,000–9,000 and 3–5 months for the full licensing and visa process; once licensed, the 2026 job market remains strong with salaries starting at AED 12,000.