UAE Residency Programme
Official admission criteria — academic eligibility, EMREE requirements, English proficiency, portfolio documents, and selection process
UAE Medical Residency Programme — Admission Criteria
Admission to UAE Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency programmes is competitive and governed by published admission criteria. This page reflects the official EMREE admission criteria — use the cards below to jump to each requirement. Med Solutions Academy supports you from DataFlow verification and document preparation to EMREE preparation via our EMREE exam prep and exam prep courses.
Programme Overview
The UAE Residency Programme is a structured postgraduate medical training pathway for doctors and dentists seeking specialist training in accredited UAE hospitals.
Academic Admission Criteria
All candidates must meet the following academic criteria to be eligible for UAE medical residency programme admission:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in medicine or dentistry from a recognized college listed in the World Health Organization (WHO) directory of approved health institutions
- Internship completion certificate — candidates must have successfully completed their final MBBS/MD exams prior to the start of the internship year (mandatory licensing requirement)
- Typically within 5 years of graduating from medical/dental school
- Typically not out of clinical practice for more than 24 months at any point (excluding national service for UAE Nationals or interruption due to Covid-19)
- Passing a post-qualifying residency entrance examination (see entrance exam section below)
- For degrees awarded outside the UAE: Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) — General with Grade Average evaluation required to evaluate transcripts and establish a standard GPA ([ece.org](http://www.ece.org))
Residency Entrance Examination Requirements
Medical and dental candidates must pass one of the accepted post-qualifying residency entrance examinations listed below.
Medical Candidates
- Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination (EMREE) — prepare with our EMREE exam prep
- Saudi Medical Licensing Examination (SMLE)
Dental Candidates
- Emirates Dental Residency Entrance Examination (EDREE)
- Saudi Dental Licensing Examination (SDLE)
EMREE / EDREE Attempt Rules
- A passing score within a cycle is considered a "first attempt", irrespective of the candidate's result in prior cycles.
- A passing score achieved following an initial failure in the same cycle is regarded as a second attempt, and a corresponding deduction will be applied to the EMREE score.
- Schedule your exam via exam booking when you are ready.
English Language Requirements
One of the following English proficiency exams or their equivalent is required:
IELTS Academic
- Scores must be achieved in a single test sitting — certificates with retake results or scores from multiple attempts will not be accepted
- Graduates of UAE universities are exempted from the certificate validity requirement
TOEFL iBT
- PBT is not accepted
- 'My Best Scores' will not be considered for admission purposes
- Graduates of UAE universities are exempted from the certificate validity requirement
EmSAT — English
- Graduates of UAE universities are exempted from certificate validity requirement
Exemptions & Additional Notes
- Candidates who are native English speakers and have completed their most recent degree in an English-medium institution may be exempted from the English proficiency requirement subject to the approval of the relevant Committee
- Candidates can be exempted from certificate validity requirement by providing, along with the English certificate, a letter from the university confirming that the medium of instruction was in English
Documents Required for UAE Residency Applications
The online application form is the official and only means to apply. All documents must be submitted online — hard copies are not accepted. Missing or incorrectly attached documents (except recommendation letters, personal statements, and CV) will result in disqualification. Candidates who graduated outside the UAE must evaluate transcripts via ECE — the received GPA equivalent is used when shortlisting applications.
Identification
- Recent colored photo (high-resolution)
- Valid passport copy (UAE Nationals add Ethbara page)
- Emirates ID (if applicable)
- Family Book (UAE nationals) / Mother's Family Book (children of UAE national mothers)
- Valid Marsoom letter (Marsoom holders)
- Residency Permit (if applicable)
Academic & Credentials
- Undergraduate Degree Certificate — notarized English translation if not in Arabic or English
- Undergraduate Academic Transcript — notarized English translation if not in Arabic or English
- Internship Certificate — or enrollment letter with expected completion date before academic year start
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) — General with Grade Average (degrees outside the UAE)
- English Proficiency Test results as per published criteria
- Residency Entrance Examination Statement of Results (EMREE, EDREE, SMLE, or SDLE)
- Valid Professional License (if available)
Application Materials
- Recommendation Letter — Preference 1 (dated not more than one year)
- Recommendation Letter — Preference 2 (dated not more than one year)
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae — build yours with our CV بنانے والا
Portfolio Requirements
Candidates must ensure all required portfolio documents are prepared prior to submission, as applications cannot be returned for portfolio edits once submitted. If a certificate is in a language other than English or Arabic, a notarized translation must be attached.
Examples
- Writing a research proposal
- Collecting or analyzing data
- Writing a manuscript
- Conducting a case study
Validity Requirements
- Activity must have occurred after entering medical/dental school
- The date must be clearly indicated in all submitted documents
Acceptable Supporting Documents
- A valid IRB approval letter and/or a supervisor's letter
- Candidate's full name must be clearly stated
- All documents must include a signature and an institutional stamp or be issued on official letterhead
Unacceptable Submissions
- Narrative reviews
- Conference proceedings
- Abstracts
- Theses or dissertations
- Research proposals without IRB approval or a supervisor's letter
- Handwritten documents
Required Attachments
- Official letter from the Research Supervisor indicating your role in the submitted research proposal
- Research Proposal
- IRB Approval Letter (if available)
Examples
- Manuscripts published in a peer-reviewed journal
Validity Requirements
- Activity must have occurred after entering medical/dental school
- The publication date must be clearly indicated
Acceptable Supporting Documents
- An active link to the published article and/or a PDF copy
- Journal website must clearly indicate its peer-review status
- Candidate's name must be clearly listed among the authors
- The publication may be the same as the research activity entry
Unacceptable Submissions
- Abstracts without a full manuscript
- Draft or unpublished manuscripts
- Theses
- Withdrawn publications
- Conference proceedings
- Publications not verifiable on the original journal website
- Handwritten documents
Required Attachments
- An active link to the published article and/or a PDF copy
- Copy of the published manuscript
Examples
- Presentation at conferences
- Symposia
- Workshops
- University/Hospital Research Days
Validity Requirements
- Activity must have occurred after entering medical/dental school
- Presentation must be health-related
- Certificate/letter must include the title of the presentation and the candidate's name
- The presentation date must appear in the submitted document
Acceptable Supporting Documents
- A certificate or letter confirming the candidate presented at the event
- All documents must include a signature and an institutional stamp or be issued on official letterhead
Unacceptable Submissions
- Attendance or participation-only certificates
- Certificates that do not specify the candidate's role
- Presentations delivered during academic days or hospital grand rounds
- Certificates missing the presentation title
- Handwritten documents
Required Attachments
- A certificate or letter confirming that the candidate presented at the scientific event (Oral or poster presentation)
Limit: Maximum of two activities
Examples
- Organizing, speaking at, or supporting health campaigns
- Participation in health awareness events
Validity Requirements
- Activity must have occurred after entering medical/dental school
- Certificate/letter must include the title of the event and the candidate's name
- The activity date must be clearly indicated in all submitted documents
Acceptable Supporting Documents
- Certificates/letters for health-related volunteering organized by a university, school, official health association, or government-licensed organization
- Document must explicitly include the word "volunteering" or clearly indicate participation in a volunteering health activity
- If the role is not specified, a supplementary organizer letter may be added
- Certificates issued by volunteers.ae and Wellness on Wheels are accepted
- All documents must include a signature and an institutional stamp or be issued on official letterhead
Unacceptable Submissions
- Volunteering related to organizing scientific events (e.g., conferences, workshops)
- Sports activities
- Non–health-related volunteering
- Handwritten documents
Required Attachments
- A certificate or letter from the organizer confirming the candidate's role
Limit: Maximum of two courses
Examples
- Life support courses (BLS, ALS, PALS)
- POCUS certifications
- Research, leadership, and quality improvement courses
- Online courses are acceptable
Validity Requirements
- The course must have been completed after entering medical/dental school
- Certificate/letter must include the course title and the candidate's name
- The course date must be clearly indicated in all submitted documents
Acceptable Supporting Documents
- Official course certificate
- All documents must include a signature and an institutional stamp or be issued on official letterhead
Unacceptable Submissions
- Certificates for entrance exams (USMLE, PLAB, EMREE, EDREE, SMLE, SDLE)
- Exam preparatory course certificates
- Conference attendance certificates
- Exam attendance certificates
- Handwritten documents
Required Attachments
- Certificate of completion or attendance
Examples
- Dean's List
- Best Research / Best Paper Award
- Best Presentation
- Certificates of Merit / Excellence
- Graduation honors (Merit, Excellence, Distinction)
Validity Requirements
- Award must have been received after entering medical/dental school
- The award must be related to academic or research achievement
- Candidate's name must be clearly stated
- The award date must appear in the submitted document
Acceptable Supporting Documents
- Official certificate or letter confirming the award
- Certificate of Excellence/Merit for Outstanding Performance in a university course is accepted
- All documents must include a signature and an institutional stamp or be issued on official letterhead
Unacceptable Submissions
- Photos of trophies, medals, plaques, or physical awards
- Email notifications or informal confirmations
- Recommendation letters
- Handwritten documents
Required Attachments
- Official certificate or letter confirming the award
Limit: Maximum of two activities
Examples
- Clinical attachments
- Summer placements
- Observerships
- Teaching or peer tutoring
- Membership in university councils/academic health-related clubs
- Research assistant experience
Validity Requirements
- Activity must have occurred after entering medical/dental school
- The activity date must appear in all submitted documents
- Candidate's name must be clearly stated
- Activity must be health related
- Activities must have been completed in distinct, non-overlapping time periods
Acceptable Supporting Documents
- Certificates or letters describing the activity and the candidate's involvement
- All documents must include a signature and an institutional stamp or be issued on official letterhead
Unacceptable Submissions
- Handwritten documents
Required Attachments
- Certificates or letters describing the activity and the candidate's involvement
Selection Process
An application is considered complete once all required documents are successfully submitted through the online portal and the application fee is paid. The selection process includes the following four phases:
Shortlisting
MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews)
Specialty Interview
Ranking & Offering
Specialty Intake Capacity & Applicant Numbers
Acceptance rates vary by specialty and year. The table below shows official intake capacity and applicant numbers for recent cycles:
Internal Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Pediatrics
Family Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynecology
General Surgery
Orthopedics & Trauma Surgery
Radiology
Psychiatry
Dermatology
Anesthesia
Ophthalmology
Otolaryngology
Neurology
Pediatric Neurology
Urology
Neurosurgery
Residency Specialties & Annual Intake
The following specialties participate in the UAE residency matching cycle. Capacity and applicant numbers vary each year — see the intake table below for recent data (2023–2025).
How to Apply — Application Steps
Follow these steps to prepare and submit a complete UAE residency application. Med Solutions Academy guides you through each stage with document review and exam preparation support.
Verify Academic Eligibility
Confirm you meet academic criteria — WHO-listed degree, internship completion, graduation timeline, clinical practice gap limits, and ECE evaluation if your degree was awarded outside the UAE. Start with our PQR self-assessment or contact Med Solutions Academy.
- Medical/dental degree certificate and transcripts
- Internship completion certificate or enrollment letter
- ECE evaluation (if degree outside UAE)
- Proof of clinical practice continuity
Pass the Residency Entrance Exam
Medical candidates must pass EMREE or SMLE; dental candidates must pass EDREE or SDLE. Understand first-attempt vs second-attempt scoring rules before sitting the exam. Prepare with our EMREE exam prep and schedule via exam booking.
- Valid exam registration
- Statement of Results (EMREE, EDREE, SMLE, or SDLE)
- Awareness of same-cycle retake score deduction rules
Meet English Proficiency Requirements
Obtain IELTS Academic (overall 6), TOEFL iBT (minimum 80), or EmSAT English (1525+). Scores must meet single-sitting rules. UAE university graduates may qualify for validity exemptions.
- Valid English proficiency certificate
- University medium-of-instruction letter (if seeking exemption)
- Single-sitting test results (no retake composites for IELTS)
Prepare Documents & Portfolio
Gather identification, academic documents, recommendation letters, personal statement, CV, and portfolio evidence. Missing documents (except recommendations, personal statement, and CV) cause disqualification. Use our CV بنانے والا and DataFlow Primary Source Verification support.
- All identification and academic documents
- Two recommendation letters (dated within one year)
- Portfolio items with official stamps/signatures
- Notarized translations for non-Arabic/English documents
Submit Online Application
Complete the official online application form and upload all documents to their designated fields. Pay the application fee. Applications cannot be returned for portfolio edits after submission.
- Completed online application form
- All documents attached in correct fields
- Application fee payment confirmation
- Final portfolio review before submission
Selection Phases
Complete applications proceed through four phases: Shortlisting (50%), MMI (20%), Specialty Interview (30%), and Ranking & Offering. Prepare for interviews and understand specialty-specific competition using the intake data above.
- MMI interview preparation
- Specialty-specific interview readiness
- Ranked specialty preferences
- Updated CV and portfolio summary
DHA لائسنسنگ & Enrollment
Enrollment in the programme is subject to successfully completing the DHA licensing process. We support post-offer registration through our DHA licensing, MOH licensing, and DOH licensing pathways.
- Residency offer letter
- DHA licensing application documents
- Medical fitness clearance
- Employer / hospital sponsorship
Med Solutions Academy کیسے مدد کرتی ہے
Explore exam prep, document support, and licensing pathways tailored to UAE residency applicants.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) — Additional Requirements
Candidates with a degree awarded outside the UAE must obtain an Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) — General with Grade Average evaluation to evaluate transcripts and establish a standard GPA. This ECE GPA equivalent is used when shortlisting applications.
IMG applicants should also complete DataFlow primary source verification where required and review Gulf licensing licensing pathways. Our DataFlow Primary Source Verification team and licensing and residency blog provide up-to-date guidance for international graduates.
How Med Solutions Academy Supports Your Application
Med Solutions Academy helps doctors meet every official UAE residency admission requirement — from ECE evaluation and DataFlow verification to EMREE preparation and DHA licensing.
اہلیت کا جائزہ
Review academic criteria, internship status, ECE requirements, and clinical practice gap limits before you apply.
Document & Portfolio Review
Ensure every upload and portfolio category meets official acceptance rules before submission.
EMREE امتحانی تیاریaration
Structured EMREE prep via EMREE exam prep and exam prep courses with mock exams and counselling.
CV & Interview Support
Residency-ready CV via CV بنانے والا, plus MMI and specialty interview guidance.
DHA لائسنسنگ Pathway
Post-offer DHA licensing support via DHA licensing once you receive your residency offer.
Personalised Consultation
contact Med Solutions Academy to review your qualifications against the official admission criteria.
UAE Residency Programme — اکثر پوچھے گئے سوالات
Start Your UAE Residency Journey
Chat with our consultants on WhatsApp — eligibility review, EMREE prep, DataFlow guidance, and DHA licensing support.
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