Before a domestic worker can enter Saudi Arabia, they must pass a mandatory pre-employment medical examination at a GCC-approved medical centre in their home country. This is a non-negotiable requirement for visa issuance. Here's everything you need to know for 2026.
⚡ Quick Facts
| 🏥 Certification System | GCC Health Portal / Wafid-equivalent |
| 📍 Where Done | Worker's home country (before Saudi entry) |
| 💰 Typical Cost | SAR 200–400 equivalent in local currency |
| ⏱️ Certificate Validity | 3 months |
| 🌐 Check Results | GCC Health Portal |
| 📞 MLSD | 19911 |
🏥 Required Medical Tests
| Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Chest X-ray | Tuberculosis (TB) detection |
| HIV test | Mandatory for all GCC entry |
| Hepatitis B & C | Blood-borne disease screening |
| Syphilis (VDRL) | STD screening |
| Pregnancy test (women) | Saudi entry requirement for female workers |
| General physical examination | Overall health and fitness |
| Drug screening | Substance detection |
⚠️ HIV Positive: Workers who test HIV positive are not permitted to enter Saudi Arabia — this is a strict Saudi immigration rule with no exceptions. Workers should be aware of this before applying.
🔄 Process Step by Step
Visit GCC Health Portal to find Saudi-approved medical centres in the worker's country.
Worker visits the approved centre, completes all required tests on the scheduled date.
Approved centres upload results directly to the GCC health database within 3–5 days.
Employer or agency verifies the result online before proceeding with visa application.
If FIT, a medical fitness certificate is issued — valid for 3 months from issue date.
Upload the certificate when completing the work visa application on Musaned.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What if the worker fails the medical exam?
If declared medically UNFIT, the visa cannot be processed. The worker may seek treatment and reapply after recovery. The employer must find an alternative worker.
Who pays for the pre-employment medical examination?
The employer or recruitment agency typically pays. Charging the worker for their own medical exam as a condition of employment is considered an illegal recruitment fee.
Does the worker need another medical exam after arriving in Saudi Arabia?
Workers may need a local medical test as part of the Iqama issuance process inside Saudi Arabia, in addition to the pre-departure exam.
How long is the medical fitness certificate valid?
The certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of examination. The visa application must be submitted within this window.
🏠 Looking to Hire a Domestic Worker in Saudi Arabia?
GCC Domestic connects families across Saudi Arabia with MLSD-verified domestic worker agencies via Musaned. Browse packages, compare workers, and hire legally.
📌 Source: GCC Health Portal — Updated 2026. Always verify at musaned.com.sa