Travellers' guide to bringing medicines into UAE

If you are planning to carry any medicines for personal use while travelling to the UAE, make sure to double-check the type and quantity of drugs that you will be carrying as pre-approvals are required for certain substances.

According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), a prior permit is required for narcotic, controlled and semi-controlled drugs, and it can be obtained through the ministry’s official website or its smart application.

The permit is optional for travelling visitors if the quantity of the medicine doesn’t exceed three months' worth of treatment, but it’s mandatory for citizens and residents.

For residents:

• Copy of Emirates ID or passport.
• Copy of the medical prescription in the name of the patient, issued no more than three months ago from the unified electronic platform.
• Medical report from the health facility in which the patient is treated, authenticated by the health authority of that country.

For visitors:

• Copy of the Passport.
• A medical report issued less than one year ago by the health facility in which the patient is treated, authenticated by the health authority in the country in which the treatment is received, or the country's embassy therein, or by any accredited authentication body in that country. Or, a copy of the prescription in the name of the patient, issued less than three months ago, provided that it includes the patient's full name, the scientific and/or commercial drug name, the pharmaceutical form, the prescribed dose, the date of issuing the prescription, the duration of treatment, the name of the physician, his/ her seal and the stamp of the treating authority and must be authenticated by the health authority in the country in which the treatment was received, or the country's embassy therein, or by any accredited authentication body in that country.

The online permit can be obtained free of charge and it will take three days to process.

It is valid for two months but is only meant for single use.

Conditions and requirements:
-A permit is optional for traveling visitors if the quantity of narcotic medicine doesn’t exceed 3 months worth of treatment
-It’s mandatory for citizens and residents to apply for approval electronically
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— وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع - MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) July 3, 2022