DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) is mandatory for ALL GCC nursing licenses. The process contacts your universities and employers directly and typically takes 4–12 weeks. This guide walks you through every step.
Background
Before diving into steps, understand exactly what DataFlow does and why every GCC health authority requires it.
DataFlow Group is an independent credential verification body. They contact your universities, nursing boards and past employers directly to confirm your qualifications — this is called Primary Source Verification (PSV).
Nursing degree & official transcripts, nursing registration certificates, internship/clinical certificates, and employment history for the past 5–10 years.
A PSV Report — an official document showing each credential as "Verified", "Discrepancy Found" or "Unable to Verify". This report is submitted to the GCC health authority as part of your license application.
Typically 6–14 weeks depending on how quickly your institutions respond. Fee is usually $300–500 USD and varies by destination country. You pay DataFlow; some employers reimburse this cost.
Coverage
All six GCC countries mandate credential verification. Here is how each authority implements it.
Process
Follow these 10 steps in order. Each step builds on the previous — rushing ahead without completing an earlier step will delay your application.
Documents Required
Documents are organised into four groups. Have everything ready before starting your application — incomplete uploads delay the entire process.
You must document your entire nursing career history. Gaps of more than 3 months will need explanation. Prepare the following for each employer:
Obtain a letter from the successor entity or health ministry. If no successor exists, a statutory declaration with evidence of the closure (news article, official notice) is usually accepted. Contact DataFlow support to confirm requirements for your specific situation.
Country Portals
Select your target country to see the specific portal, process steps, and key notes for that authority.
Common Issues
These six situations cause the majority of DataFlow delays. Most are solvable — the key is catching them early.
Fees
All fees are approximate and subject to change. Exchange rates fluctuate — convert currency at time of payment.
| Country / Authority | DataFlow PSV Fee | Licence Fee | Exam Fee | Total (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE — DHA (Dubai) | $320–380 | AED 300–500 (~$80–140) | AED 800–1,200 (~$220–330) | ~$550–700 |
| UAE — DOH (Abu Dhabi) | $320–380 | AED 600–1,200 (~$165–330) | AED 800–1,200 (~$220–330) | ~$600–750 |
| Saudi Arabia — SCFHS | $350–450 | SAR 200–800 (~$55–215) | SAR 800–1,200 (~$215–320) | ~$650–850 |
| Qatar — QCHP | $300–400 | QAR 500–1,200 (~$140–330) | QAR 600–1,000 (~$165–275) | ~$600–800 |
| Kuwait — MOH | $300–400 | KWD 30–60 (~$100–200) | — (no exam required) | ~$450–600 |
| Bahrain — NHRA | $300–400 | BHD 50–100 (~$135–270) | — (no exam required) | ~$450–600 |
| Oman — OMSB | $300–400 | OMR 50–100 (~$130–260) | — (no exam required) | ~$450–600 |
Note: Fees shown are approximate as of 2025 and are subject to change by the relevant authorities. Additional costs may include document attestation ($50–200), courier/postal costs for original documents, and medical fitness examination fees ($50–100). Many employers and agencies reimburse some or all of these costs — negotiate this during your job offer stage.
Application Management
Stay proactive — most delays are caused by nurses waiting passively for institutions to respond.
FAQ
Answers to the questions nurses most commonly ask about the DataFlow process.
Generally, no — each GCC authority requires a separate DataFlow application with a separate fee. This is because each authority has a specific application form and the verification report is tailored to their requirements. However, once a PSV report has been issued for one authority, you may be able to request that DataFlow shares the verified data with a second authority at a reduced "transfer fee" rather than re-verifying from scratch. Confirm this with DataFlow support and with your target authority before paying a full second fee.
Practically, many nurses start their DataFlow application for their primary target country and only initiate a second application if they receive a job offer from a different country. This avoids paying multiple full fees simultaneously.
This situation is more common than you might think — many nursing schools have merged, been absorbed into larger universities, or closed entirely. DataFlow has a specific process for this:
1. First, contact the Ministry of Education (or equivalent) in your home country and request an official letter confirming the institution's closure or merger and confirming that your records have been transferred to a successor body.
2. Prepare a notarised statutory declaration confirming the circumstances under which your degree was awarded and the institutional change.
3. If a successor institution holds your records, DataFlow will contact them instead. If records no longer exist anywhere, DataFlow will issue a "Unable to Verify — Institution Non-Existent" status, which you must then explain to the GCC authority with supporting documentation. Most authorities handle this case-by-case — contact them directly with your evidence.
A DataFlow PSV report is typically valid for 2 years from the date of issue for most GCC health authorities. However, this varies by authority:
DHA/DOH (UAE): 2 years from issue date. SCFHS (Saudi): Generally accepted within 2 years, but the Mumaris+ system may have specific validity windows — confirm at time of application. QCHP (Qatar): 2 years. NHRA (Bahrain): 2 years.
If your report is approaching expiry and your licence application is still pending, contact the GCC authority immediately to discuss options. Some will accept an expired report with a declaration that no credentials have changed, or may accept an update rather than a full re-verification.
If a hospital or clinic you worked for has closed, was sold, or was restructured, employment verification becomes complex. Follow these steps:
1. Check if the facility was acquired — if so, the new owner's HR department may hold historical employment records and can issue a verification letter.
2. Contact the relevant health authority or medical licensing body in the country where you worked. In many countries, they maintain records of healthcare facility employment even after closure.
3. Collect any documentary evidence you have: old payslips, ID badges, employment contracts, reference letters from supervisors (who may now work elsewhere), or tax records showing employment income from that period.
4. Prepare a detailed notarised statutory declaration explaining the employment and the circumstances preventing verification. Submit this with all supporting evidence to DataFlow. Most GCC authorities handle these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Yes — and this is strongly recommended. The DataFlow PSV process is independent of your employment status. You do not need a job offer or a specific employer to initiate DataFlow verification. Since the process takes 6–14 weeks, starting early means your PSV report will be ready (or nearly ready) by the time you receive and accept a job offer — dramatically reducing your overall timeline from offer to starting work.
When initiating DataFlow without a job offer, you will still need to select a target GCC authority. You can select the country you are most likely to move to based on your job search. The DataFlow report can sometimes be transferred to a different authority's application at a reduced fee if your plans change.
Many experienced GCC nurses start DataFlow at the same time as preparing their CV and documents — treating it as part of the pre-application package.
DataFlow Group's refund policy depends on the stage at which you cancel:
Before verification starts: A partial refund is usually possible, minus an administrative fee. Contact DataFlow support immediately with your application number and refund request.
After verification has started (institutions contacted): Refunds become very limited or unavailable, as DataFlow has already incurred costs contacting your institutions.
After PSV report issued: No refund is available.
To request a refund, submit a formal request through the DataFlow support ticket system at dataflowgroup.com. Include your full name, application reference number, and reason for cancellation. Process times for refunds are typically 15–30 business days. If your employer or agency paid on your behalf, direct the refund request accordingly. Always read DataFlow's current refund policy on their website before applying, as terms change.