Gulf Job Pre-Departure Checklist: Documents, Medical and Visa Steps

Getting a job offer is only the start. Between the offer and your first day in the Gulf sits a chain of checks: documents, a medical test, government approvals, a visa and a ticket. If one link is late or wrong, the whole trip slips, and you may end up paying twice. This checklist walks through the steps in the order they usually happen. Rules differ by home country and by destination, so treat it as a map and confirm each step on the official portal.

1. Get your passport and basic documents in order

Start with the paperwork you control. Most destinations expect a passport with enough validity left, so check the expiry date before anything else. Also keep clear copies of:

• Passport (all used pages)
• Passport-size photographs
• Educational and trade certificates
• Experience letters from earlier employers
• Police clearance or other certificates if the employer asks

Name spellings must match across every document. A small spelling difference between your passport and your certificates is a common reason for delays at the visa stage. If you do not have a role yet, you can browse current Gulf job openings or submit your CV so a recruiter can match your trade and experience to live requirements.

2. Confirm the employer and the offer in writing

Before you spend money on a medical or a permit, make sure the offer is real and written down. The contract should state your job title, salary, working hours, accommodation and contract length. If you are unsure how to check an offer, read our guide on how to verify an overseas job offer before paying anything. A licensed agency will explain costs and timelines in plain language before you commit. That is also how our step-by-step recruitment process works: screening, interview, medical, visa, ticketing and support after you arrive.

3. Complete the Wafid (GAMCA) medical test

If you are a national of a country covered by the Gulf medical programme, you need a medical report from an approved centre before most Gulf work visas are processed. The programme that many people still call GAMCA is now run through Wafid. A few practical points:

• Book through the official portal and not through a lookalike website that adds a "service" charge.
• Keep your appointment slip and bring your original passport on the day.
• The report is valid for a limited period, so time the medical to match your visa processing. The Wafid FAQ answers questions on validity, rebooking and unfit results.

Do not take the medical too early. If your visa is delayed and the report expires, you may have to repeat it.

4. Take the government steps in your own country

This is the step that changes most by country. If you are from Nepal: Nepali workers need a labour permit from the Department of Foreign Employment, applied for through the FEIMS portal. First-time applicants are expected to complete the pre-departure orientation at an authorised centre, and insurance and welfare fund payments are part of the process. Our Nepal recruitment page explains how we support candidates through it. If you are from India: Workers holding an ECR passport who are going to one of the notified ECR countries for employment need emigration clearance through the Ministry of External Affairs' eMigrate portal. Check whether your passport is ECR or ECNR before you plan your dates. Whichever country you are from, never hand over your original passport to someone who cannot show you a licence and a receipt.

5. Visa, contract signing and ticketing

Once your medical and approvals are ready, the employer or agency applies for your visa through the destination country's system. Read the final contract carefully before you sign. The terms should match the offer you were given, and you should receive your own copy. Only after the visa is confirmed should you book or accept a ticket. Check the travel date, the airport and the name on the ticket against your passport. Different destinations have their own entry rules. If you are heading to the Emirates, our page on recruitment services for the UAE gives an overview, and our page on recruitment in Saudi Arabia does the same for the Kingdom. In the UAE, a further medical test and Emirates ID application usually follow after you land.

Visa, contract signing and ticketing

Once your medical and approvals are ready, the employer or agency applies for your visa through the destination country's system. Read the final contract carefully before you sign. The terms should match the offer you were given, and you should receive your own copy. Only after the visa is confirmed should you book or accept a ticket. Check the travel date, the airport and the name on the ticket against your passport. Different destinations have their own entry rules. If you are heading to the Emirates, our page on recruitment services for the UAE gives an overview, and our page on recruitment in Saudi Arabia does the same for the Kingdom. In the UAE, a further medical test and Emirates ID application usually follow after you land.

6. Final checklist before you fly

• Passport with valid visa and a few spare photocopies
• Signed employment contract (your own copy)
• Wafid medical report or slip, and any country clearance or labour permit
• Insurance and orientation certificates, where required
• Employer contact details and the address you are going to
• Emergency contacts at home

If you are missing something, ask now rather than at the airport.

Need help with the process?

You can register as a candidate to track your applications, or read our FAQ for common questions about documents, timelines and costs.