{"id":84963,"date":"2026-10-01T15:06:49","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T15:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/?p=84963"},"modified":"2026-10-01T15:10:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T15:10:56","slug":"dha-exam-cost-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost of DHA Exam 2026: Complete Fee Breakdown for Nurses, Doctors, Dentists, and Allied Health in India"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">9<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"quick-read-box\">\n\n  <div class=\"qr-header\">\n    <span style=\"font-size:18px;\">\u26a1<\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"qr-title\">Quick Read<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>Nurses pay at least Rs.78,000 to complete the full DHA process.<\/li>\n\n    <li>DataFlow verification alone costs AED 935 for nurses in 2026.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Prometric exam fee: USD 240 for nurses, USD 280 for doctors.<\/li>\n\n    <li>DHA exam fees are non-refundable with no exceptions whatsoever.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Doctors pay over Rs.1,42,000 once licence activation is included.<\/li>\n\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div class=\"qr-footer\">\n    \ud83d\udc49 Best for: Indian nurses, doctors, dentists, and allied health professionals budgeting for DHA licensing in 2026\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#What_Does_The_Cost_of_DHA_Exam_Actually_Cover\" title=\"What Does The Cost of DHA Exam Actually Cover\">What Does The Cost of DHA Exam Actually Cover<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#DHA_Exam_Fees_A_Profession-by-Profession_Breakdown\" title=\"DHA Exam Fees: A Profession-by-Profession Breakdown\">DHA Exam Fees: A Profession-by-Profession Breakdown<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#DHA_DataFlow_Fees_Why_This_Part_of_the_Cost_of_DHA_Exam_Differs_by_Profession\" title=\"DHA DataFlow Fees: Why This Part of the Cost of DHA Exam Differs by Profession\">DHA DataFlow Fees: Why This Part of the Cost of DHA Exam Differs by Profession<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#DHA_Licence_Activation_Fee_What_You_Pay_After_Passing\" title=\"DHA Licence Activation Fee: What You Pay After Passing\">DHA Licence Activation Fee: What You Pay After Passing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#Hidden_DHA_Exam_Costs_Indian_Candidates_Forget_to_Budget_For\" title=\"Hidden DHA Exam Costs Indian Candidates Forget to Budget For\">Hidden DHA Exam Costs Indian Candidates Forget to Budget For<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#When_Each_DHA_Exam_Fee_Hits_A_Payment_Timeline\" title=\"When Each DHA Exam Fee Hits: A Payment Timeline\">When Each DHA Exam Fee Hits: A Payment Timeline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#Is_the_Cost_of_the_DHA_Exam_Worth_It_A_Salary_Reality_Check\" title=\"Is the Cost of the DHA Exam Worth It? A Salary Reality Check\">Is the Cost of the DHA Exam Worth It? A Salary Reality Check<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#Three_Takeaways_Before_You_Start_the_DHA_Process\" title=\"Three Takeaways Before You Start the DHA Process\">Three Takeaways Before You Start the DHA Process<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-cost-in-india\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_The_Cost_of_DHA_Exam\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost of DHA Exam\">Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost of DHA Exam<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-d144f91\" id=\"strong-what-does-the-cost-of-dha-exam-actually-cover-strong\" data-block-id=\"d144f91\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_The_Cost_of_DHA_Exam_Actually_Cover\"><\/span><strong>What Does The Cost of DHA Exam Actually Cover<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Most Indian candidates searching for the cost of the DHA exam expect a single figure. The DHA exam cost actually consists of five separate fee components, which are paid to three different bodies at different stages. Missing even one is why budgets fall short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is what the cost of the DHA exam includes, broken down in order:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Fee Component<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Paid To<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>When<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sheryan Registration and Credentialing<\/td><td>DHA via Sheryan portal<\/td><td>Step 1: On application<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DataFlow Primary Source Verification<\/td><td>DataFlow Group<\/td><td>Step 2: After Sheryan registration<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prometric CBT Exam Fee<\/td><td>Prometric<\/td><td>Step 3: After eligibility approval<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oral Assessment (if required for your title)<\/td><td>DHA<\/td><td>If applicable for your category<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Licence Activation Fee<\/td><td>DHA via Sheryan<\/td><td>After passing the exam<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Source:<a href=\"https:\/\/dha.gov.ae\/uploads\/052025\/Manual%20for%20DHA%20Professional%20Assessment-Final2025533182.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><\/em><\/strong><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/dha.gov.ae\/uploads\/052025\/Manual%20for%20DHA%20Professional%20Assessment-Final2025533182.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DHA Professional Assessment Manual (May 2025)<\/a><\/u>;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.prometric.com\/exams\/dha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prometric.com\/exams\/dha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prometric DHA Exam Page<\/a><\/u>. Amounts confirmed via the<a href=\"https:\/\/services.dha.gov.ae\/sheryan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><u><a href=\"https:\/\/services.dha.gov.ae\/sheryan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sheryan <\/a><\/u>portal; verify current figures before paying.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All DHA exam fees are non-refundable. Pay and cancel, and the money is gone. Fail and retake, and the Prometric fee starts from zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Read about<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/how-to-get-a-job-abroad-from-india\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/how-to-get-a-job-abroad-from-india\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">working abroad from India<\/a><\/u><\/em><em> if you are still deciding.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-3aeeb52\" id=\"strong-dha-exam-fees-a-profession-by-profession-breakdown-strong\" data-block-id=\"3aeeb52\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DHA_Exam_Fees_A_Profession-by-Profession_Breakdown\"><\/span><strong>DHA Exam Fees: A Profession-by-Profession Breakdown<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of the DHA exam is not the same for everyone. DHA exam fees vary by your professional category. The two biggest variables in the cost of DHA exam are the DataFlow fee and the licence activation fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-77dcfa9\" id=\"strong-cost-of-dha-exam-for-nurses-strong\" data-block-id=\"77dcfa9\"><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>Cost of DHA Exam for Nurses<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Fee Component<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>AED Amount<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>INR Equivalent<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sheryan Registration<\/td><td>AED 200-300<\/td><td>Rs.5,226-7,839<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DataFlow Verification<\/td><td>AED 935<\/td><td>Rs.24,432<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prometric CBT Exam Fee<\/td><td>USD 240 (approx. AED 882)<\/td><td>Rs.23,045<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Licence Activation (1 year, full-time)<\/td><td>AED 1,000<\/td><td>Rs.26,130<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>AED 3,017<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Rs.78,833<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate: <\/em><\/strong><em>1 AED = Rs.26.13 as of October 1, 2026. Verify the current rate before budgeting.<\/em><br><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><em>DHA CBT Guideline; Prometric DHA Exam Page.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note: <\/em><\/strong><em>Before you pay anything, log into Sheryan and confirm the exact figures for your profession; fees are revised periodically<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Nurses comparing destinations can read about<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/nursing-in-canada-eligibility-fees-process-for-indian-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/nursing-in-canada-eligibility-fees-process-for-indian-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nursing in Canada for Indian students<\/a><\/u><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>My Insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> The DataFlow fee is what catches Indian nurses off guard. It never feels like an &#8220;exam fee&#8221; and so never makes the budget. AED 935 (Rs.24,432) is money you pay before you even have a Prometric slot. Put it first in your planning.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-fd966ea\" id=\"strong-cost-of-dha-exam-for-doctors-strong\" data-block-id=\"fd966ea\"><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>Cost of DHA Exam for Doctors<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of DHA exam for doctors is higher at every stage: steeper DataFlow, a higher Prometric fee, and a licence activation cost three times that of a nurse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The DHA Prometric exam fees for doctors shown below are for the GP code (GEN5331). Specialist and consultant codes may vary; please confirm your code on Sheryan first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Fee Component<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>AED Amount<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>INR Equivalent<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sheryan Registration<\/td><td>AED 200-300<\/td><td>Rs.5,226-7,839<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DataFlow Verification<\/td><td>AED 1,235<\/td><td>Rs.32,271<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prometric CBT Exam Fee (GP)<\/td><td>USD 280 (approx. AED 1,028)<\/td><td>Rs.26,862<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Licence Activation (1 year, full-time)<\/td><td>AED 3,000<\/td><td>Rs.78,390<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>AED 5,463<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Rs.1,42,749<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 AED = Rs.26.13 as of October 1, 2026. Verify the current rate before budgeting.<\/em> <br><strong><em>Source:<\/em><\/strong><em> DHA CBT Guideline.<\/em><br><strong><em>Disclaimer: <\/em><\/strong><em>Specialist and consultant titles may carry higher fees. Always confirm the current amounts on the Sheryan official portal before making any payment; costs can change without prior notice.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-df7e067\" id=\"strong-dha-dental-fee-schedule-general-and-specialist-dentists-strong\" data-block-id=\"df7e067\"><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>DHA Dental Fee Schedule: General and Specialist Dentists<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The DHA dental fee schedule follows the same structure as doctors for DataFlow and Prometric. The main difference is in the licence activation cost. A general dentist, a specialist and a consultant all pay the same prometric fee to sit the exam, but what each title pays to activate that licence afterward is very different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Fee Component<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>AED Amount<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>INR Equivalent<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sheryan Registration<\/td><td>AED 200-300<\/td><td>Rs.5,226-7,839<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DataFlow Verification<\/td><td>AED 1,235<\/td><td>Rs.32,271<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prometric CBT Exam Fee (General Dentist)<\/td><td>USD 280 (approx. AED 1,028)<\/td><td>Rs.26,862<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Licence Activation (1 year, varies by type)<\/td><td>AED 3,000-8,000<\/td><td>Rs.78,390-2,09,040<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total (General Dentist, conservative)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>AED 5,463<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Rs.1,42,749<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate: <\/em><\/strong><em>1 AED = Rs.26.13 as of October 1, 2026. Verify the current rate before budgeting.<\/em><br><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><em>DHA CBT Guideline;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dataflowgroup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dataflowgroup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DataFlow portal<\/a><\/u>.<\/em><br><strong><em>Disclaimer: <\/em><\/strong><em>DHA dental licence activation fees vary widely by practice type. Always check the official Sheryan portal for your exact amounts before making any payment.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note: <\/em><\/strong><em>Dentists must also meet section-level minimum scores in restorative dentistry, oral surgery, and periodontics. Check your Sheryan exam notice.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-8cf506c\" id=\"strong-cost-of-dha-exam-for-pharmacists-and-allied-health-strong\" data-block-id=\"8cf506c\"><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>Cost of DHA Exam for Pharmacists and Allied Health<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Allied health and pharmacy professionals pay the same DataFlow fee as nurses (AED 935) and the same Prometric fee (USD 240).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Fee Component<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>AED Amount<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>INR Equivalent<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sheryan Registration<\/td><td>AED 200-300<\/td><td>Rs.5,226-7,839<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DataFlow Verification<\/td><td>AED 935<\/td><td>Rs.24,432<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prometric CBT Exam Fee<\/td><td>USD 240 (approx. AED 882)<\/td><td>Rs.23,045<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Licence Activation (1 year)<\/td><td>AED 1,000<\/td><td>Rs.26,130<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>AED 3,017-3,517<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Rs.78,833-91,898<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 AED = Rs.26.13, October 1, 2026. Verify the current rate before budgeting.<\/em><br><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><em>DHA CBT Guideline. Allied health fees vary by title. Confirm on Sheryan.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-118cedb\" id=\"strong-dha-data-flow-fees-why-this-part-of-the-cost-of-dha-exam-differs-by-profession-strong\" data-block-id=\"118cedb\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DHA_DataFlow_Fees_Why_This_Part_of_the_Cost_of_DHA_Exam_Differs_by_Profession\"><\/span><strong>DHA DataFlow Fees: Why This Part of the Cost of DHA Exam Differs by Profession<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The DHA DataFlow fees differ by AED 300 between nurses and doctors because of the number of document categories. DataFlow must verify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nurses, pharmacists, and allied health (AED 935 \/ Rs.24,432):<\/strong> Fewer mandatory document categories to verify<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Doctors and dentists (AED 1,235 \/ Rs.32,271):<\/strong> More document categories, including speciality training and internship records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>DataFlow fees for DHA are paid through the DataFlow portal after you start your application on Sheryan. Pay through Sheryan, not directly on the DataFlow site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DataFlow fees for DHA are non-refundable. Go through every document before uploading. Experience certificates are the most common reason DataFlow is delayed or rejected; wrong designation, incorrect dates, or a certificate from a facility that no longer responds to verification requests can stall your entire application for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><em>DHA Professional Assessment Manual (May 2025).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>My Insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> DataFlow states that the process typically takes 4 to 12 weeks. For many Indian nurses, particularly those who worked in government hospitals, it runs longer. State health departments can take months to confirm employment records. Start DataFlow on day one, not after you have looked at Prometric slots.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-f443651\" id=\"strong-dha-licence-activation-fee-what-you-pay-after-passing-strong\" data-block-id=\"f443651\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DHA_Licence_Activation_Fee_What_You_Pay_After_Passing\"><\/span><strong>DHA Licence Activation Fee: What You Pay After Passing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of DHA exam does not end at Prometric. The licence activation fee converts your registration certificate into a licence you can actually use. The cost of DHA licence activation is paid after you pass. Your facility sponsor handles the submission, but knowing the cost matters for your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Profession<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Licence Duration<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Activation Fee (AED)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>INR Equivalent<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health<\/td><td>1 year (full-time)<\/td><td>AED 1,000<\/td><td>Rs.26,130<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pharmacists<\/td><td>1 year (full-time)<\/td><td>AED 1,000-1,500<\/td><td>Rs.26,130-39,195<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Doctors, Dentists (GP title)<\/td><td>1 year (full-time)<\/td><td>AED 3,000<\/td><td>Rs.78,390<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Doctors, dentists (part-time)<\/td><td>1 year<\/td><td>AED 4,000<\/td><td>Rs.1,04,520<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate: <\/em><\/strong><em>1 AED = Rs.26.13 as of October 1, 2026.<\/em><br><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dha.gov.ae\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dha.gov.ae<\/a><\/u><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: <\/em><\/strong><em>Licence fees are profession-specific and can change; confirm the current amount on Sheryan before your licence application.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-7a8dd9f\" id=\"strong-hidden-dha-exam-costs-indian-candidates-forget-to-budget-for-strong\" data-block-id=\"7a8dd9f\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hidden_DHA_Exam_Costs_Indian_Candidates_Forget_to_Budget_For\"><\/span><strong>Hidden DHA Exam Costs Indian Candidates Forget to Budget For<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rescheduling fee:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rescheduling close to your exam date risks forfeiting the full fee. Check your Prometric confirmation email for the exact window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Retake cost:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do not pass, you will need to pay the full Prometric fee again for your next slot. There is no reduced price for a second attempt, no goodwill exception, and the cost resets entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Oral assessment (if applicable):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some specialist and consultant titles require an oral assessment in addition to the CBT. Approximately AED 500 (Rs.13,065); verify the current amount on Sheryan. Urgent assessment costs significantly more. Check Sheryan for your title. Exchange rate: 1 AED = Rs.26.13 as of October 1, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Currency conversion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prometric accepts Amex, Mastercard, and Visa only. Indian banks charge a 2-3% forex markup on USD payments, adding Rs.460-690 extra on a USD 240 transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Document correction charges:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A name mismatch, an incorrectly uploaded document, or a wrong detail in your Sheryan profile costs extra to fix after submission. Going slowly at the application stage saves money later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 AED = Rs.26.13, October 1, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>My Insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> The forex markup on Indian credit cards is genuinely something most candidates never think about. When you pay USD 280 for a doctor&#8217;s Prometric fee, your card company converts it at a rate that includes their spread plus a transaction fee. On top of that, some Indian banks charge a flat international transaction fee of Rs. 100-300. It is avoidable. Use a zero-forex-markup card (several Indian banks offer one) or a forex card loaded in USD.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-af6f74a\" id=\"strong-when-each-dha-exam-fee-hits-a-payment-timeline-strong\" data-block-id=\"af6f74a\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Each_DHA_Exam_Fee_Hits_A_Payment_Timeline\"><\/span><strong>When Each DHA Exam Fee Hits: A Payment Timeline<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of DHA exam lands at different points. Do not book Prometric until DataFlow has cleared and Sheryan has issued your Eligibility ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is the order:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Stage<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Fee Due<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Amount (AED)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>INR Equivalent<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Day 1: Sheryan account + application<\/td><td>Sheryan registration<\/td><td>AED 200<\/td><td>Rs.5,226<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Day 1-7: Document upload<\/td><td>DataFlow payment via Sheryan<\/td><td>AED 935-1,235<\/td><td>Rs.24,432-32,271<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weeks 4-12: DataFlow processing<\/td><td>No fee during this period<\/td><td>Nil<\/td><td>Nil<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>After eligibility approval: Prometric booking<\/td><td>Prometric exam fee<\/td><td>USD 240-280<\/td><td>Rs.23,045-26,862<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>After passing: Licence application<\/td><td>Licence activation<\/td><td>AED 1,000-3,000<\/td><td>Rs.26,130-78,390<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate: <\/em><\/strong><em>1 AED = Rs.26.13, October 1, 2026.<\/em><br><strong><em>Source: <\/em><\/strong><em>DHA Professional Assessment Manual (May 2025). Pay DataFlow through Sheryan.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Read the <\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/dha-exam-mock-tests-practice-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DHA mock test guide <\/a><\/u><\/em><em>to make use of the time between DataFlow submission and your Prometric booking.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-204c3b8\" id=\"strong-is-the-cost-of-the-dha-exam-worth-it-a-salary-reality-check-strong\" data-block-id=\"204c3b8\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_Cost_of_the_DHA_Exam_Worth_It_A_Salary_Reality_Check\"><\/span><strong>Is the Cost of the DHA Exam Worth It? A Salary Reality Check<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of DHA exam starts at Rs.78,000. A nurse recovers the total DHA fees within one to two months. After typical Dubai rent (AED 5,000-8,000\/month), monthly savings run into five figures in rupees, all tax-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is what Dubai pays after you are licensed, all tax-free:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Profession<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Average Monthly Salary (AED)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>INR Equivalent Per Month<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Registered Nurse<\/td><td>AED 5,000-12,000<\/td><td>Rs.1,30,650-3,13,560<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>General Practitioner<\/td><td>AED 15,000-25,000<\/td><td>Rs.3,91,950-6,53,250<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>General Dentist<\/td><td>AED 15,000-25,000<\/td><td>Rs.3,91,950-6,53,250<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pharmacist<\/td><td>AED 8,000-15,000<\/td><td>Rs.2,09,040-3,91,950<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 AED = Rs.26.13, October 1, 2026. Verify the current rate before budgeting.<\/em><br><strong><em>Source:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dha.gov.ae\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><\/em><\/strong><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dha.gov.ae\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dubai Health Authority<\/a><\/u> healthcare sector data. Salary figures are indicative and vary by employer and facility type.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>For current benchmarks, read about<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/highest-paying-jobs-in-dubai-salary-and-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/highest-paying-jobs-in-dubai-salary-and-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">highest paying jobs in Dubai for Indians<\/a><\/u><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-e1e4809\" id=\"strong-three-takeaways-before-you-start-the-dha-process-strong\" data-block-id=\"e1e4809\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Three_Takeaways_Before_You_Start_the_DHA_Process\"><\/span><strong>Three Takeaways Before You Start the DHA Process<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Budget for all five fee components, not just the Prometric fee.<\/strong> The cost of DHA exam looks very different when you include DataFlow, Sheryan registration, and licence activation. Nurses: budget Rs.78,000 minimum. Doctors: budget Rs.1,42,000 minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Pay DataFlow first, Prometric second.<\/strong> DataFlow takes 4 to 12 weeks. Every candidate who books Prometric before DataFlow clears either wastes a slot or delays their exam by months. Pay them in sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Check your professional registration body before submitting documents.<\/strong> The Good Standing Certificate for nurses must come from your State Nursing Council, not the NMC (which is the doctors&#8217; regulator). Submitting from the wrong body delays your entire DataFlow process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Verified by: <\/em><\/strong><em>LeapScholar&#8217;s Dubai and the healthcare careers counseling team, who have supported Indian nurses, doctors, dentists, and allied health professionals through the DHA application and licensing process.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have questions about the cost of the DHA exam or where to start? <\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form?utm_source=Counselling_SEO&amp;utm_medium=Blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor<\/a><\/u><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-d14799a\" id=\"strong-frequently-asked-questions-about-the-cost-of-dha-exam-strong\" data-block-id=\"d14799a\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_The_Cost_of_DHA_Exam\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost of DHA Exam<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ul class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866373728\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How much does the cost of DHA exam come to for nurses in rupees?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Nurses should budget roughly Rs.78,833: Sheryan registration (Rs.5,226), DataFlow (Rs.24,432), Prometric CBT (Rs.23,045), and one year of licence activation (Rs.26,130). Confirm the amounts on Sheryan before paying.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866377143\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What are the DHA exam fees for doctors in 2026?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>For a GP, the DHA exam fees total roughly Rs.142,749, which includes Sheryan registration, DataFlow (Rs.32,271), Prometric (Rs.26,862), and licence activation (Rs.78,390). Specialist and consultant titles carry higher fees. Confirm with Sheryan before committing.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866378241\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What are the DHA DataFlow fees in 2026?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Nurses and allied health pay AED 935 (Rs.24,432) for DataFlow. Doctors and dentists pay AED 1,235 (Rs.32,271). You pay this through Sheryan, and it goes to the DataFlow Group to verify every credential you upload: degree, registration, employment, everything.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866379439\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What are the DataFlow fees for DHA for dentists?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Dentists pay AED 1,235 (Rs.32,271) for DataFlow, the same as doctors. Keep in mind the fee is entirely separate from the Prometric exam fee and the licence activation fee; it is its own payment, made early in the process, and once paid, it does not come back.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866380569\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the DHA dental fee schedule?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>For a general dentist, the cost of DHA exam adds up to Sheryan registration (AED 200), DataFlow (AED 1,235), Prometric (USD 280), and licence activation from AED 3,000 per year, approximately Rs.1,42,749 for year one in total. Specialist and consultant dentists pay higher licence activation fees, so confirm your specific cost on Sheryan.  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866381815\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What does the DHA exam cost for specialists and consultants?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Prometric fee (USD 280) is the same for specialists and GPs. What changes is the licence activation fee, which is higher for specialist and consultant titles. Check your exact activation amount on Sheryan.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866382897\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is the DHA exam fee refundable?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>None of it comes back. The DHA Assessment Manual (2025) is clear: there are no refunds at any stage, whether you cancel, reschedule, or fail the exam. If you want to try again after failing, you pay the full Prometric fee from scratch.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866384163\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How do I pay DHA exam fees from India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Prometric fees are paid online through the Prometric DHA scheduler in USD using American Express, Mastercard, or Visa credit cards. UPI and net banking are not accepted. Sheryan and DataFlow payments are made on their respective portals, also by card. Enable international payments on your card before you start the process.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790866385610\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the DHA licence activation cost?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Nurses pay AED 1,000 (Rs.26,130) per year; full-time doctors and dentists pay AED 3,000 (Rs.78,390). Part-time licences cost more. Confirm on Sheryan.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">9<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span> \u26a1 Quick Read Nurses pay at least Rs.78,000 to complete the full DHA process. DataFlow verification alone costs AED 935 for nurses in 2026. Prometric exam fee: USD 240 for nurses, USD 280 for doctors. DHA exam fees are non-refundable with no exceptions whatsoever. Doctors pay over Rs.1,42,000 once licence activation is included. \ud83d\udc49 Best [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":84966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2071,8,2218],"tags":[],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84963"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/86"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84963"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84967,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84963\/revisions\/84967"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}