Occupational Health Card
Also known as: food handler card, health card
Quick Answer
An occupational health card is the mandatory health clearance every food handler in Dubai must hold. It is required for anyone preparing or serving food. Under Dubai's 2025 Public Health Law, DHA sets the medical-examination controls and the Dubai Academic Health Institution issues the cards; confirm the current issuer before applying.
What the card is
Every employee who handles food — in a restaurant, café, cloud kitchen, grocery, or catering business — must hold a valid occupational health card, confirming they have passed the required health screening and food-hygiene requirements. It must be kept valid; the validity period and current fee are not published as one figure, so confirm them with the issuer (see the 2025 Public Health Law section below).
Why it matters for food businesses
The card is one of the recurring compliance items F&B operators budget for; missing or expired cards can trigger inspection penalties. ZETUP processes health cards and their renewals as part of PRO support for food businesses.
Who issues it under the 2025 Public Health Law
Dubai's Law No. 5 of 2025 Concerning Public Health gives the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) the role of setting and supervising the controls for medical examinations, including the issuance of occupational health cards, and states that the Dubai Academic Health Institution (DAHI) will issue occupational health cards. The law came into force 90 days after publication; until the fee schedules under it are confirmed, check the current issuer and fee before applying.
Official sources: Dubai Law No. 5 of 2025 Concerning Public Health (Dubai Legislation Portal)
Frequently asked questions
What is an occupational health card in Dubai?
The mandatory health clearance every food handler must hold — required for anyone preparing or serving food, and it must be kept valid. Under Dubai's 2025 Public Health Law, the Dubai Academic Health Institution issues the cards under DHA controls; confirm the current issuer before applying.
Who needs a health card in Dubai?
Every employee who handles food in a restaurant, café, cloud kitchen, grocery, or catering business.
Who issues occupational health cards in Dubai?
Under Dubai's Law No. 5 of 2025 Concerning Public Health, the Dubai Health Authority sets and supervises the controls for medical examinations, including occupational health cards, and the Dubai Academic Health Institution (DAHI) issues the cards. Check the current issuer and fee before applying.
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