A Guide to the DataFlow Report for Doctors Aiming to Practise in the Middle East Gulf States

If you want to work as a doctor in the Middle East Gulf States of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait, you will need a DataFlow Report - a primary source verification of qualifications, licence and experience.

What is a DataFlow Report?

A DataFlow Report is an official document issued by the DataFlow Group LLC which confirms that your qualifications, professional work experience, professional licence and passport details have been verified as authentic and accurate from the source of origin of these documents. The DataFlow Report is protected by an encrypted QR code which guarantees its validity and the report may be used for the purposes of employment, professional registration, education and immigration. The DataFlow Report is used by professional regulatory authorities in the medical and healthcare sectors in the Middle East Gulf States and Singapore and may be transferred from one authority to another.

What is the DataFlow Group?

The DataFlow Group was founded in 2006 with its headquarters located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as a pioneering global provider of specialized Primary Source Verification (PSV) solutions, and background screening and immigration compliance services that assist public and private organizations in mitigating risks to make informed, cost-effective decisions regarding their applicants and registrants.

DataFlow Group partners with clients across the public and private sectors to assist them in mitigating potential risks by exposing fraudulent education degrees, job histories, practice licences, work permits and passports, among other personal or professional documents.

The DataFlow Group has partnered with:

• Government Ministries
• Immigration Departments
• Healthcare Regulators and Facilities
• Educational Institutions
• Financial Institutions and Commercial Business Sectors
• Professional Licensing Authorities
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Authorities

Who Needs a DataFlow Report?

All candidates for employment in the regulated healthcare professions in the Middle East Gulf States (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait) require a DataFlow Report. This includes doctors, dentists, veterinarians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals.

The DataFlow Report is essential to obtain a licence to practise in the appropriate professional category and must include verifications of all relevant qualifications, work experience within the last 5 years and current professional licence in jurisdiction of practice.

Verification requirements can vary slightly in each professional regulatory authority. It is therefore important to clarify these in advance of submitting the application.

How to Apply for a DataFlow Report

#1 Select the Appropriate Regulatory Organisation

The DataFlow Group website is the starting point for all applications. You should select the Primary Source Verifications  page and then select the appropriate verification service by country and industry. The following healthcare regulatory organisations in the countries of the Middle East have application portals as does the UK's GMC and Malaysia's Ministry of Public Health.

UAE

Dubai Health Authority

Department of Health Abu Dhabi

Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)

Sharjah Health Authority

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Commission for Health Specialisms (SCFHS)

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Qatar

Ministry of Health

Oman

Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB)

Bahrain

National Health Regulatory Authority Bahrain (NHRA)

Kuwait

The Health Assurance Hospitals Company (DHAMAN)

UK

General Medical Council (GMC)

Malaysia

Ministry of Public Health

#2 Watch the Introductory Video on the Regulatory Organisation Portal

Each professional regulatory authority has an introductory video on its landing page describing its application process for primary source verifications. Watch the video for details of the documents required and make a note of these and then review the procedures required for the verifications.

#3 Obtain a Professional ID

Some of the professional regulatory authorities require applicants to obtain a professional ID before commencing an application for DataFlow Report.

The   Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires that applicants register on their website (Sheryan portal) for an ID and completion of a self assessment check before applying for a DataFlow Report. The Department of Health of Abu Dhabihas a similar system.

#4 Register an Account

Register as an applicant on the portal of the appropriate regulatory organisation and enter your personal details. If you have registered on the DHA Sheryan website, ensure that you use the same ID number and personal details.

#5 Activate Your Account

You will receive an email to activate your account. Check your spam folder in the event you cannot locate it in your inbox. Follow the directions to activate your account and then log in.

#6 Complete the ID check

Upload your scanned passport copy or enter the passport data manually to have your identity verified.

#7 Start the Application and Select Service Level

Select the category and subcategory of professional licence you are seeking and then download, print, sign, scan and upload the signed Letter of Authorisation (LOA). This grants legal authority to DataFlow to contact relevant organisations to verify your credentials. You can then create a new case (application) or transfer an existing DataFlow report from another regulatory organisation.

Select regular or premium service. We would recommend using the premium service with an assistant. There is an additional fee for this service but it is well worth it as the application is managed by a dedicated person who will contact applicants with status updates any complications and there is a guaranteed completion date.

#8 Upload Your Documents

You  can proceed to enter the details of your educational qualifications, employment and professional licence and upload scanned copies of all relevant documents required for verification. Note that all documents not written in English or Arabic should be officially translated to English or Arabic. Ensure that your documents are scanned clearly and show the borders of the document.

Documents Required:

• passport
• qualifications (in some cases, degree transcripts may be necessary)
• professional licence
• certificates of employment - letters from Human Resources departments of employers confirming job title and dates worked. Certificates covering a period of 3-5 years of experience is usual.

#9 Review the Application, Pay and Submit

Once all relevant sections of the application are complete, you can review the application and make any amendments and then make payment of the fee by credit card and submit it for processing.

# 10 The Final Report

DataFlow staff will email you with notification of any problems with the documents or the inability to verify them. Please ensure that you respond quickly to their requests to avoid any unnecessary delays. Your report will be issued, in most cases, within the time frame set out in the service level you have selected and you will be notified by email and text message when it is ready. You should download your report and retain it.

Applying for medical jobs in the Middle East - Key Facts

1. Employers favour candidates who have a DataFlow Report ready. This saves time and makes the recruitment process shorter and more predictable.
2. Upon receiving a job offer, your application for a licence to practise plus DataFlow Report can be submitted to the relevant professional regulatory authority for processing. Employers will manage this process unless they have stated otherwise and want a candidate who already holds a licence or eligibility for one. In this case, they are seeking local candidates, resident in the country, and are not interested in international hires.

If you are interested in working in the Middle East, please do register your CV and contact us to discuss your options.

You may view advertised jobs and apply with a recent CV ensuring that all essential requirements as set out in the job description are addressed.