GDRFA Dubai and Dubai Health Authority Sign Strategic MoU to Enhance Health Tourism and Develop an Integrated Treatment Journey Supporting Dubai’s Global Competitiveness

2026 The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) and the Dubai Health Authority signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at developing an integrated healthcare journey for visitors coming to Dubai for treatment and recovery. The partnership seeks to strengthen integration between residency, visa, and healthcare services, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for health tourism and quality of life.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, and H.E. Dr. Alawi Sheikh Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.

The agreement aligns with the Dubai Government’s vision to enhance integration among government entities and develop interconnected, proactive, and human-centric services, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the “We the UAE 2031” vision.

Areas of cooperation focus on facilitating medical visa procedures and developing a more seamless journey that begins before patients arrive in Dubai and continues throughout their treatment and follow-up stages. The partnership also supports health tourism initiatives and the international promotion of the “Dubai Health Experience” ecosystem.

The MoU further includes enhancing electronic integration between the systems of both entities, supporting integration with the health insurance ecosystem, and developing joint mechanisms that enable members of the “Dubai Health Experience” to efficiently submit medical visa applications for patients coming from outside the UAE.

This collaboration paves the way for launching future innovative initiatives, most notably the development of a smart medical visa and enhanced proactive services for patients, contributing to improving the overall experience and strengthening Dubai’s competitiveness in the health tourism sector.

H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri affirmed that the MoU represents a model of government integration embraced by Dubai, noting that the next phase focuses on building interconnected ecosystems that enhance customer experiences and place people at the heart of service delivery.

H.E. said: “This partnership stems from Dubai’s vision based on integration, innovation, and creating exceptional experiences. We are working to develop a more flexible and seamless ecosystem that connects residency and healthcare services, contributing to strengthening Dubai’s global competitiveness in the medical tourism sector.”

H.E. added: “GDRFA Dubai continues to develop proactive and digital solutions in collaboration with various entities, reflecting Dubai’s model of integrated government work, while enhancing quality of life and confidence in government services.”

For his part, H.E. Dr. Alawi Sheikh Ali affirmed that health tourism represents an integrated human experience that goes beyond the treatment journey to include ease of access, quality of care, and clarity of procedures.

H.E. said: “This MoU supports Dubai’s efforts to consolidate its position as a global destination for healthcare and wellness by delivering an interconnected service model centered around people and providing a seamless and integrated experience.”

This partnership reflects the commitment of GDRFA Dubai and the Dubai Health Authority to developing innovative operating models that enhance government integration and elevate service quality, supporting Dubai’s vision of building a more efficient and future-ready ecosystem while strengthening its position as a leading global city to live, work, and visit.