Many Kenyans planning to work or settle in the United Arab Emirates will now have to meet strict medical requirements before they can receive a work or residence visa.
The measures apply not only to Kenyans but also to all foreign nationals seeking permission to live or work in the Gulf country.
Under the UAE’s medical fitness rules, every applicant must test negative for communicable diseases before a visa can be approved. The required tests include screening for HIV and tuberculosis (TB), which are considered key public health concerns.
The requirements become even stricter for people applying for jobs in certain industries. Those seeking employment as domestic workers, nannies, drivers, food handlers, restaurant employees, nursery staff, salon and beauty centre workers, as well as employees in health clubs, must also provide negative test results for syphilis and Hepatitis B.
Female domestic workers are also required to undergo a pregnancy test before they are allowed to work in the country. The additional screening is part of the UAE’s employment requirements for workers in that category.
The UAE also carries out tuberculosis screening for expatriates, although the process varies depending on the emirate. In Abu Dhabi, applicants are required to undergo a chest X-ray to check for pulmonary tuberculosis. In Dubai, however, this chest X-ray is not part of the initial medical examination.
Applicants renewing their residence visas are also affected by the health checks. Since 2016, expatriates renewing their permits have been required to undergo TB screening.
Those diagnosed with active tuberculosis, drug-resistant TB, or lung scars linked to the disease are issued a one-year conditional residence visa. During that period, they are expected to receive treatment within the UAE before their immigration status can be reviewed further.
The UAE says these medical requirements are part of wider public health measures aimed at reducing the spread of infectious diseases while protecting both residents and the country’s workforce.
The Gulf nation remains one of the most popular destinations for Kenyans seeking employment abroad. Many are drawn by tax-free salaries and job opportunities in sectors such as domestic work, hospitality, healthcare, construction, retail and aviation.
According to estimates by the Kenyan government, between 30,000 and 50,000 Kenyans are currently living and working in the UAE.
This makes the country one of the biggest destinations for Kenyan migrant workers in the Middle East.
The latest developments also come at a time when Kenya has introduced new public health measures for international travel. The government recently made travel health insurance mandatory for all inbound travellers entering the country. The insurance cover must provide benefits of at least US$50,000, which is about KSh6.4 million.
Under the new Kenyan rules, insurance providers are required to offer travel health policies that meet the minimum coverage set by the government. Authorities say the move is intended to improve health protection for visitors entering the country and to ensure they have adequate medical cover if they require treatment during their stay.
The latest measures introduced by both Kenya and the UAE reflect a growing focus on public health and disease prevention.
For thousands of Kenyans planning to seek jobs in the UAE, meeting the required medical standards will remain an important step before they can secure work or residence visas.
