Short answer: DHA states four things that can stop a file: a verification result of unable to verify or discrepancy, a certificate older than six months, a qualification that does not fit the PQR, and no reply from you for more than three months, which can lead to rejection. It does not publish a full list of rejection reasons.
Why would DHA reject or delay a licence application?
DHA does not publish a list of reasons, so nobody outside DHA can tell you why your file stalled. What it does state, across its Licensing Manual, its PQR and its Sheryan FAQ, are rules that can stop a file. This guide lists them, so you can check your own file against each before you write to DHA. Meddex is independent and is not connected to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or Prometric.
Key facts and where they come from
All official statements, with the document and the date we read it.
- DHA may reject an application if you do not respond for more than three months. Source: Sheryan FAQ, read 16 October 2026.
- A primary source verification result is positive, unable to verify, or discrepancy. Re-verification is allowed up to twice for unable to verify and once for discrepancy. Source: Licensing Manual 6.2, read 15 October 2026.
- The documents generally verified are your qualification, your experience or employment, your licence or registration, a logbook for surgical physicians, good standing certificates and any exam exemption proof. Source: Licensing Manual 6.4.
- The certificate of good standing must be valid and not older than six months when you apply. Source: PQR 1.3.3 and Licensing Manual 10.3.
- The Get Registered application cannot be processed until verification is complete and the exam, if required, is passed. Source: Licensing Manual 10.6.
- A qualification that is not listed in the PQR can be reviewed by the PQR committee, which may select the closest title. Source: Sheryan FAQ.
What do unable to verify and discrepancy mean?
They are the two non-positive results of primary source verification, the check done by a third-party agency that DHA’s FAQ names as DataFlow. Unable to verify means the agency could not confirm a document with its issuer. A discrepancy means the issuer’s answer did not match what you submitted. The manual allows re-verification up to twice for the first and once for the second, so a result is not the end. The usual next step is to find out which document failed and why. See DataFlow primary source verification explained.
We found no DHA statement of how long a re-verification takes. The FAQ gives 15 working days from payment for a new report, and a report you already hold can be transferred in 5 working days, in DHA’s wording.
Which document problems cause trouble?
DHA names the documents it verifies, and the manuals tell you what is required of two of them. The good standing certificate must be recent, and the name on your application has to match your passport for the exam booking. Documents not in English or Arabic must be legally translated. Beyond that, a common-sense list: a scan that cannot be read, a name spelled differently on two documents, an experience letter that does not state dates and duties, and a certificate that expires while you wait. See how to prepare and scan your DHA licence documents and the good standing certificate guide.
Could the rejection be about eligibility?
Yes, if your qualification or experience does not meet the PQR for your title. Experience rules differ: no experience for a Registered Nurse, two years after internship for General Practitioner and General Dentist, two years for a pharmacist with company and sales experience not counted. A long break in practice can also matter. Read eligibility by profession, the experience requirement and the gap of practice rules.
Can silence cost you the application?
Yes. DHA’s FAQ says it may reject an application if you do not respond for more than three months. If DHA asks for something, answer inside that window, even if the answer is “I am waiting for my university”. Keep every message and reference number.
What to do when a file stalls
This order is our suggestion.
- Read the exact status or message on Sheryan. Copy it with the date.
- Check it against the list above: verification outcome, certificate age, name match, translation, eligibility, reply window.
- Ask DHA through your Sheryan account which document or rule is the problem, and quote your reference.
- If verification returned unable to verify, contact the issuer so it can answer the agency, and ask the agency which item failed.
- Reply to any request within days, not months, and keep copies.
What we do not know
Frequently asked questions
This article is general educational guidance, not official advice. Exam rules, fees and timelines are set by the Dubai Health Authority and the test provider and can change, so always confirm the latest details on their official channels. Review of Meddex content by named, licensed clinicians is not complete yet. See how we write and check our content.
Last updated .