When applying for a residency visa, renewing your existing visa, or completing employment-related formalities in the UAE, you’ll need to visit several authorised service centres — each with a distinct purpose. Understanding which centre handles what part of the process will save you time, effort, and unnecessary expenses.
In general, visa applicants in the UAE will interact with a few main types of centres:
Smart Salem Centres are advanced, DHA-approved medical fitness facilities that offer a premium, fully digital visa and residency experience in Dubai. Designed for speed, precision, and comfort, these centres use cutting-edge automation to simplify every step of the medical testing process and deliver results within minutes.
DHA Approved & Digitally Integrated: Fully authorised by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) with direct integration into the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) system.
Smart Technology: Automated check-in, digital testing, and AI-enabled result processing for a seamless, paperless experience.
Incredibly Fast: Medical test results are usually ready in under 30 minutes — among the fastest in the UAE.
One-Stop Coordination: Choose the Fast-Track Emirates ID Biometrics option, and Smart Salem will:
Complete your visa medical test on-site.
Instantly schedule a priority biometric appointment at an authorised Government Services Centre just five minutes away.
Ensure both steps — medical and biometrics — are completed on the same day for maximum efficiency.
Visa Medical Fitness Testing: Includes blood analysis and chest X-ray in a smart, automated facility.
Fast-Track Emirates ID Coordination: For pre-typed applications, Smart Salem arranges a same-day biometrics appointment.
Digital Integration: Medical results are uploaded instantly to DHA and ICP systems, removing manual steps and reducing delays.
You can access Smart Salem’s services from three convenient Dubai locations, each offering identical technology-driven efficiency:
📍 City Walk – Building 23B, City Walk Residences, Jumeirah.
📍 DIFC Branch – Index Tower, Al Mustaqbal Street 3A, Dubai International Financial Centre.
📍 Dubai Knowledge Park – Block 2B, near Knowledge Village.
All three branches are known for their ultra-modern facilities, quick turnaround, and exceptional customer service.
Visa Medical Test: AED 700 (fixed rate).
Processing Time: Approximately 30 minutes for medical test results.
Comparison:
Standard DHA-approved medical centres (e.g., Al Garhoud Medical Fitness Centre, Emirates Medical Fitness Centre – DHCC) charge AED 380–400.
Results at those centres take 24–48 hours to process.
Smart Salem is the only DHA-approved facility in Dubai offering a coordinated medical and biometric scheduling process through its fast-track package.
The biometric capture itself is done at a nearby government centre — not within Smart Salem — but the booking and confirmation are handled instantly.
Ideal for:
Professionals on tight schedules.
Investors or families seeking a smooth visa process.
Anyone who values speed, convenience, and premium service.
Typing Centres are government-licensed private offices that help UAE residents and companies handle official visa and Emirates ID paperwork. They act as the first step in your visa process, ensuring that every form and document is correctly prepared before submission to government authorities.
Visa Application Typing: Preparing and typing all forms for new or renewal residency visas.
Emirates ID Application Typing: Creating and submitting the official Emirates ID form before biometric enrolment.
Medical Test Typing: Typing the DHA-approved medical fitness form required before your health test.
PRO & Documentation Services: Offering Public Relations Officer (PRO) services such as document renewal, visa follow-ups, and tracking.
Typing Centres do not conduct medical tests.
They do not handle biometric or fingerprint capture.
Their role is strictly administrative — to make sure your documents are ready for submission at the next step (medical or biometric centre).
Service Fees: Usually range between AED 250–400, depending on complexity and urgency.
Best Use: Ideal for individuals managing their own visa or Emirates ID application without employer assistance.
Typing Centres are the starting point of the UAE residency and visa process.
They ensure your paperwork is accurate, complete, and compliant, reducing rejections or delays.
Once your forms are ready, you’ll move on to a medical fitness centre (e.g., Smart Salem or DHA centres) for health screening, followed by an ICP centre for biometrics.
Amer Centres, established under the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai), serve as comprehensive government service hubs.
They bridge multiple visa-related processes under one roof, offering convenience and reliability to both individuals and businesses.
Visa Typing & Submission: Preparation and submission of visa applications for new or renewed residency permits.
Emirates ID Application Processing: Completing and forwarding Emirates ID forms to the relevant authority.
Medical Fitness Form Typing: Creating official DHA forms for medical testing.
Appointment Scheduling: Booking medical and biometric appointments on your behalf.
Amer Centres do not perform the actual medical fitness test.
They do not handle biometric enrolment or fingerprint capture.
Their function is to organise, coordinate, and submit your documents to ensure that your next steps (medical and biometrics) are properly scheduled.
They provide all visa-related administrative services in one location.
Staffed with trained representatives familiar with GDRFA procedures.
Operate across Dubai and through partner entities in other emirates.
Amer Centres are ideal for anyone who prefers a one-stop government service hub for documentation and scheduling.
They simplify coordination across multiple agencies, saving time and effort.
After visiting an Amer Centre, you’ll typically proceed to a medical fitness centre (for testing) and then an ICP Centre (for biometrics).
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) operates Customer Happiness Centres throughout the UAE. These are the official biometric and Emirates ID centres where applicants complete the final step of their residency process.
Biometric Enrolment: Capturing fingerprints, facial scans, and photographs for Emirates ID issuance.
ID Printing & Replacement: Providing urgent Emirates ID card printing via the Fawri service.
Renewal & Updates: Handling ID renewals, corrections, and replacements.
First-time applicants (and certain renewals) must visit an ICP Centre to complete biometric capture.
If you choose the Smart Salem fast-track package, your biometric appointment is automatically scheduled for you — usually on the same day.
ICP Centres handle biometric and ID services only — not medical testing or typing.
📍 Al Barsha Customer Happiness Centre: Near Saudi German Hospital — known for efficient processing.
📍 Al Nahda Centre (Al Qusais): Convenient for applicants in East Dubai; handles all biometric services.
📍 Al Rashidiya Centre: Located behind Rashidiya Council; ideal for residents near Dubai International Airport.
ICP Centres are the final step in your Emirates ID and residency visa process.
Bring your passport, Emirates ID application, and visa reference to complete biometrics.
Smart Salem’s fast-track service can save time by scheduling your ICP appointment immediately after your medical test.
Choose a centre close to your location to avoid delays and long waiting times.
For applicants who prefer alternatives to Smart Salem, Al Garhoud Medical Fitness Centre offers reliable visa medical testing and occupational health services, with reports usually ready within 24 hours. Similarly, the Emirates Medical Fitness Centre in Dubai Healthcare City provides standard visa medical examinations authorised by DHA, with results typically available within 48 hours.
For biometric capture, the Al Barsha, Al Nahda, and Al Rashidiya ICP Customer Happiness Centres remain the most recommended options, all offering Emirates ID fingerprinting, facial scanning, and renewal services.
“All-inclusive” centres refer to facilities that streamline multiple visa processing stages into one connected workflow. Instead of visiting separate locations for your medical test, biometrics, and ID application, such centres ensure everything is coordinated for you.
In Dubai, Smart Salem is the leading example of an all-inclusive, technology-enabled system. Under the standard service, you complete only the medical fitness test, while under the fast-track package, Smart Salem completes your medical and immediately books your biometric appointment at a nearby authorised government centre.
This service is ideal for applicants who prioritise speed and convenience, or those needing results urgently to finalise their visa process.
Follow the correct order: Start at a Typing Centre or Amer Centre to prepare your paperwork, then proceed to a medical fitness centre, and finally to an ICP biometric centre — unless you’ve chosen a fast-track Smart Salem service that coordinates these steps for you.
Book early: Most centres allow online appointment booking to reduce wait times.
Prepare your documents: Carry your passport, visa reference number, Emirates ID application form, medical test form, and recent photographs if required.
Compare costs and processing times: Standard medical tests at most centres take one to two days and cost around AED 380–400, while Smart Salem offers 30-minute results for AED 700.
Use authorised facilities: Always choose DHA- and ICP-approved centres to ensure your results and biometric data are directly linked to government systems.
Yes. Smart Salem’s fast-track package allows you to complete your medical and book your biometric appointment immediately, usually on the same day.
If your employer or PRO manages your visa, you may not need to visit one. However, individuals applying independently must use a Typing Centre to prepare their forms.
Smart Salem charges AED 700 with 30-minute results. Standard DHA centres charge about AED 380–400 with results in 24–48 hours.
Biometrics are completed at ICP Customer Happiness Centres such as those in Al Barsha, Al Nahda, or Al Rashidiya.
Currently, Smart Salem operates only in Dubai. Other emirates have DHA- and ICP-approved medical and biometric centres that offer similar services separately.
Understanding the different types of centres involved in the UAE visa process ensures a smooth and efficient experience.
From Typing Centres that handle paperwork, to Amer Centres that coordinate government services, to ICP Centers responsible for biometrics — and finally Smart Salem, which offers a premium, fast-track, all-inclusive solution, each centre plays a vital role in completing your residency or visa procedure.
Choosing the right centre based on your needs, whether cost-efficiency, convenience, or speed —will help you complete your UAE residency process seamlessly and without unnecessary delays.
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