Countries > UAE for Doctors > EMREE
UAE for Doctors in Training
The Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination (EMREE) is the national entrance exam administered by the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS) for doctors seeking postgraduate residency training across the United Arab Emirates. Passing EMREE makes you eligible to apply for a residency seat. It does not guarantee one. Seats are competitive, so a strong score matters far more than a bare pass.
Pathway Snapshot
Pass EMREE, meet the English language requirement, complete DataFlow verification and ECE credential evaluation, and apply directly to the residency match systems of your target health authority (DRTP in Dubai, TANSEEQ in Abu Dhabi, or EHS in the Northern Emirates).
Complete Journey: Medical Graduation → EMREE (Al Ain) → English Test → DataFlow PSV + ECE Evaluation → DRTP / TANSEEQ / EHS Application → Interviews → Residency Match → Specialty Training.
Eligibility: MBBS or MD graduates, rotating interns, or final-year medical students (with an official dean's eligibility letter). No English test is required to sit EMREE itself.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Format |
120 MCQs, 4 to 5 options each, no negative marking |
Duration |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
Pass mark |
60% for the 2025–26 cycle, as published on the official UAEU portal. This threshold is set periodically and may change between cycles — always confirm the current-cycle cutoff at fmhsmeb.uaeu.ac.ae. |
Location |
Al Ain, UAE only |
Attempts |
Maximum 3 per academic year (confirmed by NIHS/UAEU). Once passed, candidates cannot retake to improve their score within the same cycle. |
Validity |
2 years |
Season |
December through March, with roughly 9 to 10 individual exam dates |
Fee |
1,000 AED |
| Subject | Weight |
|---|---|
Internal Medicine | 20% |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 15% |
Pediatrics | 15% |
Surgery | 15% |
Family Medicine | 15% |
Psychiatry | 10% |
Public Health and Preventive Medicine | 10% |
What we offer
Full EMREE question bank mapped to the official 7-domain NIHS blueprint, flashcards, self-assessments, mock exams matching the Al Ain exam interface, a trained AI study companion, mentorship, a medical library, and peer study groups.
Start EMREE Prep →Required only for graduates of non-UAE universities, at the residency application stage rather than for EMREE itself. Choose one:
| Test | Passing Score | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|---|
TOEFL iBT |
80 or above | $180–$250 USD |
IELTS Academic |
6.0 or above (some hospitals, such as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, ask for 6.5) | $215–$310 USD (~1,340 AED in the UAE) |
OET Medicine |
Grade C+ or higher | AUD $587 (~$390–$455 USD) |
What we offer
Dedicated prep courses for TOEFL, IELTS, and OET Medicine, built specifically for physicians, with practice for all sections and mock tests.
Start English Exam Prep →DataFlow Group Verification (PSV): Direct primary source verification of your medical degree, academic transcripts, internship completion certificate, and English language test results directly with issuing bodies. Estimated cost: 1,000–1,500 AED depending on document package size.
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): Mandatory only for medical degrees obtained outside the UAE. Converts international grading systems and GPAs into a standardized US-equivalent scale. The report type needed is General Report with Grade Average. Cost: $110 USD, typically processed within 5 business days.
The application window recurs each year, typically opening in late January and closing at the end of March. Residency selection via DRTP is competitive and multi-tiered. Selection algorithms evaluate a composite score blending your entrance exam result, academic transcripts, and structured personal interviews or Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Review the specific application guide for the current cycle annually for exact criteria.
The application window is fixed and recurs every year from March 1 to March 31. Eligibility generally requires a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (or 80% for non-national graduates), a valid EMREE pass, and English proficiency (TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0 at minimum for most programs). Abu Dhabi uses a computerized matching algorithm that pairs applicants with programs based on both sides' ranked preferences, similar in structure to the US residency Match system. Review the specific TANSEEQ application guide annually for exact selection criteria.
Applications run through EHS's own portal on a rolling basis tied to seat availability rather than one fixed annual window. MOHAP does accept international medical graduates, though this route is generally considered less competitive and less commonly targeted than Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
| Item | Approx. Fee |
|---|---|
EMREE Exam Fee | 1,000 AED |
DataFlow PSV | 1,000–1,500 AED |
ECE Evaluation | $110 USD |
English Test (IELTS/TOEFL/OET) | $180–$455 USD |
Note on Fees: All fees are set by NIHS, DataFlow, ECE, and the respective testing bodies. Figures shown are approximate and based on 2026 data. Always confirm exact fees on the official portals before payment.