If you are a doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, or any healthcare professional from India who wants to work in Dubai, you have probably heard about the DHA exam. DHA stands for Dubai Health Authority. This exam checks if you have the right knowledge and skills to practice medicine or healthcare in Dubai.
One of the biggest questions Indian applicants ask is simple: how much does the DHA exam actually cost? The truth is, the fee is not just one payment. It is a mix of several charges that come at different stages. In this blog, we will break down every part of the DHA exam fees for 2026, so you know exactly what to expect and how to plan your budget.
What Is the DHA Exam?
The DHA exam is a licensing test. It makes sure that every healthcare worker in Dubai, no matter which country they come from, meets the same standard of knowledge and patient care. Once you clear this exam, you get a professional license that lets you work in hospitals and clinics across Dubai.
The good news for Indian candidates is that you do not need to travel to Dubai to take the exam. It is a computer based test conducted by Prometric, and Prometric has test centers in many Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kochi.
Total Cost of the DHA Exam in 2026
There is no single fixed amount for the DHA exam. The total cost depends on your profession, whether you are a doctor, nurse, dentist, or pharmacist, and it also depends on how smoothly your application goes.
Based on the latest 2026 estimates, the total cost usually falls somewhere between AED 2,000 and AED 3,400. In Indian rupees, this comes to roughly ₹45,000 to ₹96,000. This total includes the application fee, the document verification fee, the exam fee, and the license fee. Let us look at each of these one by one so it is easier to understand.
Breakdown of DHA Exam Fees
1. Sheryan Portal Application Fee
Every applicant has to first register on the Sheryan portal, which is the official online system of the Dubai Health Authority. This is where you create your account, fill in your details, and upload your documents. The application fee here generally ranges between ₹7,000 and ₹9,000, depending on your professional category.
2. DataFlow Verification Fee (PSV)
Once your application is submitted, your educational and professional documents go through something called Primary Source Verification, or PSV. This is done by an agency called DataFlow Group. They check with your university and previous employers to confirm that your degree and experience certificates are genuine.
This step is compulsory and cannot be skipped. For nurses, the PSV fee is usually around AED 935. For doctors and dentists, it is a bit higher, around AED 1,235. In Indian rupees, this generally works out to somewhere between ₹12,000 and ₹30,000, depending on your profession. This process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 working days, so it is smart to start early if you are planning to apply.
3. Prometric Exam Fee
After your documents are verified, you can book your exam slot through Prometric. The exam fee usually falls between USD 180 and USD 300, which is roughly ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, again depending on your profession and exam category. This is the fee you pay to actually sit for the test.
4. License Activation Fee
Once you pass the exam and get a job offer from a DHA registered hospital or clinic in Dubai, you need to pay a license activation fee to officially get your practicing license. This fee is generally in the range of AED 800 to AED 900. Keep in mind that this license needs to be renewed every year, and there may be additional continuing education requirements attached to renewal.
Profession Wise Fee Estimates
Since the DHA exam fee changes depending on your profession, here is a rough idea of what different healthcare workers might expect to pay in total for 2026:
- Nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians: around ₹45,000 to ₹75,000
- General practitioners and doctors: around ₹60,000 to ₹85,000
- Specialists and consultants: can go up to ₹90,000 or more
- Dentists: similar range to doctors, around ₹75,000 to ₹85,000
These numbers are estimates and can shift a little based on currency exchange rates and any changes DHA makes to its fee structure during the year.
Hidden or Extra Costs to Keep in Mind
Many applicants only budget for the main fees and forget about smaller charges that can add up. Here are a few extra costs you should keep in mind:
- Rescheduling fee: If you need to change your exam date, Prometric charges an additional fee for this.
- Document correction fee: If there are mistakes in your application or uploaded documents, correcting them later can cost extra.
- Retake fee: If you do not clear the exam on your first attempt, you will need to pay the Prometric fee again for your next attempt. You get a maximum of three attempts, so it is worth preparing well the first time.
- Agent fees: Some candidates use private agents or consultants to help with the paperwork. While this can save time, agents often charge their own service fees on top of the official DHA charges, so always compare what you are getting for that extra cost.
There is no refund policy for DHA and Prometric fees. This means if you make a mistake in your form or miss your exam slot, you will not get your money back. So it really pays to double check everything before you submit or pay.
How to Pay DHA Exam Fees
Indian applicants can pay their DHA exam fees online using an internationally accepted credit or debit card through the Sheryan portal and the Prometric website. Make sure your card supports international transactions before you start the payment process, since a failed payment can sometimes delay your application.
Tips to Manage Your DHA Exam Budget
- Plan for the full journey, not just the exam fee. Remember that PSV, exam booking, and license activation are all separate payments spread over weeks or months.
- Avoid unnecessary agents where possible. Many steps can be done on your own through the official Sheryan and Prometric portals, saving you extra service charges.
- Prepare well for your first attempt. Since retake fees add up quickly, solid preparation the first time around saves both money and time.
- Keep an eye on the exchange rate. Since fees are charged in AED or USD, the rupee amount you pay can shift depending on the day you make the payment.
- Use only official portals. Stick to the Sheryan portal and Prometric website for payments to avoid extra charges from third party websites claiming to help with registration.
Final Thoughts
The DHA exam is a solid opportunity for Indian healthcare professionals who dream of working in Dubai, but the fee structure can feel confusing at first because it is split into multiple parts rather than a single payment. Once you understand the four main stages, application, document verification, exam booking, and license activation- budgeting for it becomes much easier.
On average, Indian applicants should be ready to spend somewhere between ₹45,000 and ₹96,000 for the entire process in 2026, depending on their profession. Since fee structures can change, it is always a good idea to check the official Sheryan portal and Prometric website for the latest numbers before you begin your application.
Note: All fee figures mentioned in this blog are approximate 2026 estimates based on publicly available information and can vary. Always confirm the latest fees on the official DHA Sheryan portal before making any payment
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