GCC Licensing Prep Kit
Complete step-by-step licensing guides for all 6 GCC countries. Know exactly which documents to prepare, how much it costs, and how long it takes — before you apply.
- 6 country guides: UAE (HAAD/DHA/DOH), Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain & Oman
- Full document checklist per country (with notes on apostille & attestation)
- Current fee schedules in local currency + USD equivalent
- Realistic processing timelines
- Exam prep links and pass-rate tips for Prometric / Pearson VUE
- 10 most common mistakes that cause delays or rejections
- Official portal links & direct contact for each authority
$9one-time · lifetime access
Secure payment via Hesabe · KNET, Visa, Mastercard
Licensing Kit Unlocked ✓
Select your target country below. Bookmark this page — it's yours for life.
🇦🇪
4–12 weeks typical
UAE Nursing Licence
Three authorities: DOH (Abu Dhabi) · DHA (Dubai) · MOH (All other Emirates)
Documents Required (All 3 Authorities)
Nursing Degree / Diploma Original + notarised copy + English translation (if not English)
Home Country Licence Valid current RN licence from issuing board (apostilled)
Good Standing Letter From licensing authority — issued within 6 months
Work Experience Letters Signed on letterhead, per position — all positions in last 5 years
Passport Valid ≥6 months beyond planned entry date
Passport Photo White background, 35×45mm
Medical Fitness Certificate From an approved UAE medical centre (done on arrival)
IELTS / OET / TOEFL Band 6.5+ IELTS Academic (or equivalent) unless from English-medium country
Fee Schedule
DOH Application
AED 2,100
~$570 USD
DHA Application
AED 1,270
~$346 USD
MOH Application
AED 800
~$218 USD
Prometric Exam
USD 140
Per attempt
DataFlow Verify
USD 140–220
Primary source verification
Note: Most employers cover DataFlow and application fees as part of the visa sponsorship package. Confirm before starting independently.
Step-by-Step Process
1
Create DataFlow accountAll three UAE authorities use DataFlow for primary source verification. Start here first — it takes the longest (4–6 weeks).
2
Upload documents to DataFlowUpload degree, transcripts, licence, work experience. Pay DataFlow fee. Status tracked online.
3
Register on the authority portalDOH: sheryan.ae · DHA: dhcc.ae · MOH: mohap.gov.ae. Create profile, select "Healthcare Professional Registration".
4
Submit application + pay feeUpload DataFlow reference number + all documents. Pay authority application fee.
5
Schedule Prometric examAuthority will issue exam eligibility. Book your slot at prometric.com/uae. 120 MCQs, 2 hours.
6
Pass exam + receive licenceDigital licence issued within 5–10 business days of passing. Licence is country-wide for MOH; emirate-specific for DOH/DHA.
Exam Prep Tips — Prometric UAE
Pass rate ~72% first attempt for internationally trained nurses
Best resource Saunders NCLEX-RN Q&A + official DOH competency framework PDF (free download at sheryan.ae)
Focus areas Medical-surgical, pharmacology, infection control, patient safety, nursing ethics
Recommendation Study 6–8 weeks, 2–3 hours/day. Take 500+ practice questions before sitting.
Common mistake #1: Applying for DHA licence when you'll be working in Abu Dhabi (DOH jurisdiction). Your employer's emirate determines which licence you need — confirm before starting.
Common mistake #2: Getting a good standing letter dated more than 6 months before your application — authorities will reject it.
Pro tip: If your employer is sponsoring your application, do not register independently on DataFlow — your employer's PRO will manage this. Dual registration causes delays.
🇸🇦
6–16 weeks typical
Saudi Arabia — SCFHS / Saudi Nursing Council
Saudi Commission for Health Specialties · scfhs.org.sa
Documents Required
Nursing Degree / Diploma Attested by Saudi Embassy in home country + Saudi MOFA
Home Country Licence Valid RN licence — attested + Arabic translation
Good Standing Letter From licensing board — within 3 months, attested
Work Experience Letters covering last 5 years — hospital letterhead, attested
Transcript of Records Official sealed transcript — attested
Passport + Iqama If already in Saudi; passport copy if applying from abroad
English Proficiency IELTS 6.0+ or OET B unless English-medium education
Fee Schedule
SCFHS Registration
SAR 1,200
~$320 USD
Prometric Exam
USD 140
Per attempt
Attestation (estimate)
$150–400
Varies by country
Annual Renewal
SAR 600
~$160 USD/yr
Step-by-Step Process
1
Attest all documentsGet degree, licence, experience letters attested by Saudi Embassy in your home country. Typically handled by your employer's agent — confirm first.
2
Register on SCFHS Mumaris+ portalGo to mumaris.scfhs.org.sa. Select "Qualified Nurse" classification. Upload all attested documents.
3
Pay SCFHS fee & await qualification reviewSCFHS reviews your qualifications (2–4 weeks). They may request additional docs.
4
Schedule Prometric examOnce approved, book at prometric.com/sa. Exam is in English. 130 MCQs, 2.5 hours.
5
Receive classification certificateSCFHS issues your classification letter (not a physical card). Valid for 2 years then renewable. Your employer uses this to finalise your work permit.
Prometric Saudi — Exam Tips
Pass rate ~68% first attempt
Best resources NCLEX-RN style questions + SCFHS exam blueprint (download from scfhs.org.sa)
Key topics Patient assessment, medication administration, infection control, legal and ethical practice, Saudi health regulations
Attestation chain: Saudi requires a specific attestation chain — home authority → Saudi Embassy → Saudi MOFA. Skipping MOFA attestation is the most common cause of rejection.
Pro tip: KFSH, KAMC and Johns Hopkins Aramco all have dedicated PROs who manage the full SCFHS process for new hires. If applying through these hospitals, let them lead — it's faster.
🇶🇦
6–14 weeks typical
Qatar — QCHP
Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners · qchp.org.qa
Documents Required
Degree / Diploma Notarised + attested by Qatar Embassy
Home Country Licence Valid, attested — primary source verification required
Good Standing Letter From licensing board — within 6 months
Work Experience Minimum 2 years post-qualification; letters required
Passport + Photo Valid 6+ months
English Proficiency IELTS 6.0+ / OET B (unless from exempt country)
Fees
QCHP Application
QAR 1,050
~$288 USD
Prometric Exam
USD 140
Per attempt
Annual Renewal
QAR 630
~$173 USD/yr
Process
1
Register on QCHP portalqchp.org.qa → "Practitioners" → "Apply for Licence". Create profile.
2
PSV via DataFlowQCHP uses DataFlow for primary source verification. Start simultaneously.
3
Qualification evaluationQCHP reviews your degree. BSN holders usually classified as "Registered Nurse Grade 1".
4
Prometric examSit exam at Qatar Prometric centre in Doha. Pass mark 60%+.
5
Licence issuedLicence card collected in person at QCHP office or posted. Valid 2 years.
Hamad Medical Corporation tip: HMC covers all QCHP and DataFlow fees for direct hires. Apply via HMC's nurse recruitment portal to benefit from their facilitated licensing pathway.
🇰🇼
8–20 weeks typical
Kuwait — MOH Kuwait
Ministry of Health · moh.gov.kw
Documents Required
Degree Attested by Kuwait Embassy in home country + Kuwait MOFA
Home Licence Valid, attested + Arabic translation
Good Standing Within 3 months, attested
Experience Letters Minimum 2 years; attested
Medical Fitness Issued in Kuwait on arrival
Arabic CV Required by MOH Kuwait — translate your CV
Fees
MOH Registration
KWD 50
~$163 USD
Annual Renewal
KWD 25
~$82 USD/yr
Attestation costs
$200–500
Varies by country
Kuwait-specific: Kuwait MOH does not use DataFlow. They perform their own verification which takes longer. Arabic translation of all documents is mandatory — use a certified translator.
🇧🇭
4–10 weeks typical
Bahrain — NHRA
National Health Regulatory Authority · nhra.bh
Documents Required
Degree Notarised + attested
Home Licence Valid, primary source verified via DataFlow
Good Standing Within 6 months
Experience 2+ years post-qualification
Medical Fitness From NHRA-approved clinic on arrival
Fees
NHRA Application
BHD 50
~$133 USD
Prometric Exam
USD 140
Per attempt
Renewal (2 yr)
BHD 30
~$80 USD
Bahrain advantage: NHRA is generally considered the fastest and least complex GCC licensing process. Turnaround times are more predictable than other GCC countries.
🇴🇲
6–14 weeks typical
Oman — OMSB
Oman Medical Specialty Board · omsb.org
Documents Required
Degree Attested by Oman Embassy + Oman MOFA
Home Licence Valid, attested, primary source verified
Good Standing Within 6 months, attested
Experience Minimum 2 years; attested letters
English Proficiency IELTS 6.0+ or OET B (unless exempt)
Fees
OMSB Application
OMR 50
~$130 USD
Prometric Exam
USD 140
Per attempt
Annual Renewal
OMR 20
~$52 USD/yr
Royal Hospital & Sultan Qaboos tip: Both flagship hospitals offer employment-tied licensing facilitation. Starting your licensing application independently before securing a job offer often delays rather than speeds up the process in Oman.
Still have questions about licensing?
Emma and the GCCNurseJobs team answer licensing queries daily. We've helped 800+ nurses get through the process.