DHA Exam Fees 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown for Indian Healthcare Professionals
How Much Does the DHA Exam Cost? Complete 2026 Cost Breakdown
Planning to take the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) exam from India? The question we hear most is: how much does the DHA exam actually cost? The honest answer is that there is no single fee — the total includes DataFlow verification, the English test (for nurses), the DHA application and evaluation fee on the Sheryan/Shafafiya portal, the Prometric exam fee, the license fee, medical fitness tests, and document attestation.
This guide is a complete DHA exam fees breakdown for Indian doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in 2026. Every figure is marked with its source and the date it was last verified, so you can plan a realistic budget without surprises.
Last verified: September 2026. Exchange rate used: 1 AED = approximately INR 22.7. All amounts are in INR unless stated.
TL;DR — Total DHA Cost at a Glance
| Component | Doctor (INR) | Nurse (INR) | Pharmacist (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DataFlow PSV | 18,000–25,000 | 15,000–20,000 | 15,000–20,000 | Package-based, per credential |
| English test (IELTS/OET) | Not always required | 16,250–32,000 | 16,250–32,000 | Mandatory for nurses |
| DHA application/evaluation | — | — | — | Sheryan/Shafafiya portal |
| Prometric exam | ~6,800 | ~4,500 | ~4,500 | Per attempt, non-refundable |
| License fee | 34,000–68,000 | 23,000–34,000 | 23,000–34,000 | Valid 2 years |
| Medical fitness + Emirates ID | — | — | — | Dubai-side, after arrival |
| Attestation + misc | 5,000–15,000 | 5,000–10,000 | 5,000–10,000 | India-side, varies by state |
| TOTAL | ~64,000–1,15,000 | ~64,000–1,00,000 | ~48,000–69,000 | See FAQ below for detail |
These totals assume a first-attempt pass with no retakes. Budget an extra 10–15% as a buffer if you might need a second attempt — see the Hidden Costs section.
Component 1 — DataFlow Primary Source Verification
DataFlow Group is the primary source verification agency used by the DHA. Your educational qualifications, professional license, and experience certificates are verified directly with the issuing bodies. This step is mandatory for every applicant and is usually the single largest cost component.
The cost depends on the package you choose and the number of credentials you need verified. Here is the current package structure:
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the verification process, see our DataFlow verification guide.
| Package | Includes | AED | Approx INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package 1 | 2 educational quals + 1 license + 2 experience certs | 1,235 | ~28,000 |
| Package 2 | 3 educational quals + 1 license + 3 experience certs | — | — |
| Package 3 | 4 educational quals + 2 licenses + 4 experience certs | — | — |
| Additional credential | Each extra document beyond package | — | — |
Doctors typically need Package 1 or 2 (MBBS + registration + internship and experience certificates). Nurses and pharmacists usually fit within Package 1. If you already hold a DataFlow report for another Gulf authority such as MOH or HAAD, you can often share it with the DHA for a small linking fee instead of a full new report — a saving of roughly INR 15,000–20,000.
Tip: document mistakes are the most common cause of DataFlow delays. Follow the step-by-step DataFlow verification guide to avoid a rejected submission that costs you both time and a re-submission fee.
Component 2 — English Proficiency Test (Mandatory for Nurses)
Nurses must prove English proficiency with IELTS Academic or OET. Doctors are not always required to take a test, but many Dubai employers ask for one regardless.
| Criteria | IELTS Academic | OET (Nursing) |
|---|---|---|
| Test fee | INR 16,250 | AUD 587 (~INR 32,000) |
| Score required | 6.0–6.5 band | B grade in all four sub-tests |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Retake cost | Full fee | Full fee |
Our detailed comparison of OET vs IELTS for healthcare professionals covers which one Indian nurses pass faster — and how to avoid paying the retake fee twice.
Component 3 — DHA Application & Evaluation Fee (Sheryan/Shafafiya)
Many cost guides miss this step. Before you can book the exam you must create a profile on the DHA's Sheryan (formerly Shafafiya) portal and pay the application and eligibility evaluation fee. It is separate from the exam fee and is paid per profession application:
| Fee | Amount (AED) | Approx INR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New professional application | — | — | Sheryan portal, per profession |
| Eligibility evaluation | — | — | Check if included in application fee |
| DataFlow report linking | — | — | If reusing an existing report |
| Application amendments | — | — | Only if you edit after submission |
You can pay from India with an international credit/debit card on the portal. Keep the payment receipt — you will need it if your application is queried.
Component 4 — Prometric Exam Fee
The DHA exam is booked and delivered through Prometric — not Pearson VUE, a common error in older guides. You select a test centre, pay per attempt, and the fee is non-refundable even if you cancel.
| Profession | Exam fee (AED) | Approx INR | Per attempt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor | 300 | ~6,800 | Yes — full fee on retake |
| Nurse | 200 | ~4,500 | Yes — full fee on retake |
| Pharmacist | 200 | ~4,500 | Yes — full fee on retake |
| Allied health | 200–300 | ~4,500–6,800 | Yes — full fee on retake |
Prometric has test centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi and other Indian cities. If there is no centre in your city, budget for travel and one night's stay — a cost most guides forget.
Before you book, go through the Prometric booking process for Gulf licensing exams and our licensing support service so you know exactly what the test covers — and what a retake would really cost you.
Component 5 — DHA License Fee
After you pass the exam, you pay the professional license fee to the DHA. The license is valid for two years and must be renewed before expiry.
| Profession | License fee (AED) | Approx INR | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor — General Practitioner | 1,500–2,000 | ~34,000–45,000 | 2 years |
| Doctor — Specialist | 2,000–3,000 | ~45,000–68,000 | 2 years |
| Nurse | 1,000–1,500 | ~23,000–34,000 | 2 years |
| Pharmacist | 1,000–1,500 | ~23,000–34,000 | 2 years |
| Renewal (all professions) | — | — | Every 2 years |
Many employers reimburse or cover the license fee as part of your joining package — ask during the interview. This is real money you should not pay twice.
Component 6 — Medical Fitness, Emirates ID & Document Attestation
India side — document attestation
Your degree and certificates must be attested: Notary Public, State Home Department, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), then the UAE Embassy/Consulate. Cost depends on your state and the number of documents — typically INR 5,000–15,000.
Dubai side — medical fitness and Emirates ID
After arrival, you undergo the DHA medical fitness test (blood tests, chest X-ray, general examination) and apply for the Emirates ID. Both are required before your license is issued: approximately AED 200–500 in total.
Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You
The line items above are the visible costs. In our experience, these are what actually push budgets over — plan for them:
| Hidden cost | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Exam retake | Full exam fee (~INR 4,500–6,800) | After any failed attempt |
| English test retake | Full test fee | If you miss the required score |
| Study materials | INR 5,000–15,000 | Preparation phase |
| Travel + stay for exam | INR — | No Prometric centre in your city |
| Passport renewal | INR 1,500–2,000 | Passport valid under 6 months |
| DataFlow re-submission | — | Document rejected or queried |
| Delayed joining after retake | 1–3 months of salary | The real cost of failing |
Real Cost Stories from Our Students
The best way to budget is to see what the process actually cost someone like you. Here are anonymised breakdowns from GoMax Study Abroad students:
Story 1 — Ananya R., Staff Nurse, Lucknow (first attempt)
Ananya passed everything on the first attempt. Her actual costs:
| Item | Amount (INR) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DataFlow Package 1 | 28,000 | 2 educational + 1 license + 2 experience |
| OET | 32,000 | One attempt |
| DHA application/evaluation | — | Sheryan portal |
| Prometric exam | 4,500 | One attempt |
| License fee | 23,000 | Check if employer reimbursed |
| Attestation | 7,000 | UP state chain |
| TOTAL | ~94,500 | First attempt, no retakes |
Ananya says the only thing she would change is starting attestation earlier — it took six weeks and delayed her joining date.
Story 2 — Dr. Arjun M., General Practitioner, Kanpur (with retake)
Dr. Arjun failed his first DHA attempt by three marks. The retake cost far more than the exam fee:
| Item | Amount (INR) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DataFlow Package 2 | — | GP needs more credentials |
| Prometric exam × 2 | 13,600 | Two attempts |
| Travel + stay (Delhi) × 2 | — | Two trips to the test centre |
| License fee | — | GP category |
| Attestation + misc | — | — |
| Two months of delayed salary | — | The invisible cost |
His advice: do not book the exam until your mock-test scores are consistently above the pass mark. A free DHA mock test is a zero-cost way to check where you stand.
Story 3 — Priya S., Pharmacist, Kanpur (shared DataFlow report)
Priya already had a DataFlow report from her MOH application. Instead of ordering a new one, she linked it to her DHA application:
| Item | Amount (INR) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DataFlow report (shared from MOH) | 3,000–5,000 | Linking fee instead of full package |
| DHA application/evaluation | — | Sheryan portal |
| Prometric exam | 4,500 | One attempt |
| License fee | — | Pharmacist category |
| Attestation | 5,000 | — |
| TOTAL | ~35,000–40,000 | Saved ~INR 20,000 vs new report |
If you are applying to more than one Gulf authority, order the DataFlow report once and share it — the saving paid for her exam twice over.
Payment Timeline — When Each Fee Hits Your Bank Account
Most students underestimate cash-flow timing. Here is the order in which DHA costs actually occur:
In total, the process typically spreads over 4–6 months from start to license — plan your savings as monthly amounts, not one lump sum.
How to Reduce Your DHA Cost
These four moves cut the typical budget by 20–40%:
Take a free DHA mock test to see exactly where you stand before spending a single rupee on the exam fee.
ROI — Is the DHA License Worth the Investment?
Yes — and the numbers are stark:
See our complete DHA exam preparation guide for eligibility, syllabus, and the step-by-step process — or join a structured preparation course designed for first-attempt success.
DHA Exam Fees FAQ
1. How much does the DHA exam cost in total for an Indian nurse?
Approximately INR 64,000–1,00,000 including DataFlow, OET/IELTS, application, exam, license and attestation — assuming a first-attempt pass. The single largest variable is DataFlow and whether you can share an existing report.
2. Is the DataFlow verification fee refundable?
No. DataFlow fees are non-refundable once your application is submitted, even if your documents are rejected or you withdraw. That is why document accuracy matters before you pay.
3. Can I share one DataFlow report for DHA, MOH and HAAD?
Yes. DataFlow reports can be shared across Gulf licensing authorities. You pay a linking fee — typically far less than a new report — instead of re-verifying everything, saving roughly INR 15,000–20,000 per additional authority.
4. What is the DHA exam fee for doctors?
Around AED 300 (~INR 6,800) per attempt, paid at booking through Prometric, plus the separate application and evaluation fee on the Sheryan portal. A retake means paying the full exam fee again.
5. Do nurses need IELTS or OET for DHA?
Yes — nurses must submit a valid IELTS Academic or OET result. Doctors usually do not need one for the license itself, but many employers request it regardless.
6. How much is the DHA license renewal fee?
The renewal fee is lower than the initial license fee and is payable every two years. Some employers cover renewal as part of the contract.
7. Can I pay the DHA fees from India?
Yes. The DHA Sheryan portal and Prometric both accept international credit/debit cards. Add roughly 1.5–3.5% for forex charges when budgeting.
8. How many times can I take the DHA exam before re-paying?
Every attempt requires a fresh exam fee — there is no bundle or discount for retakes. You must also wait for the next available slot, which in busy months can mean 2–4 weeks of additional delay.
9. Are Prometric exam fees in India different from the UAE?
The exam fee itself is set in AED and is the same whether you test in India or the UAE. What differs is your travel and stay cost — testing from India is almost always cheaper overall.
10. What is the total budget for a pharmacist from India?
Roughly INR 48,000–69,000 on a first attempt, and as low as INR 35,000–40,000 if you share an existing DataFlow report. Attestation and retakes are the two variables that push this higher.
Start Your DHA Journey with GoMax Study Abroad
GoMax Study Abroad handles the entire DHA licensing process — DataFlow assistance, exam coaching, English test preparation, attestation guidance and job placement support. Our structured program is built for first-attempt passes, which is the single biggest cost saver in this guide.
Contact us for a free consultation and we will give you a personalised, itemised cost estimate for your exact profile.