Need to enter Abu Dhabi but confused about how to get your DPI test appointment? You are at the right spot. This guide is made to help those who have never been to the test center before, but also those who are already experienced, yet are in need of the easiest way to book their test in order to be able to immediately have an opportunity to use the test results.
Being a UAE resident, I have personally experienced the whole process using the SEHA app, and I fully understand what it is like to have limited and confusing steps, shifting rules, and decentralized information on the Internet. That’s why I provide this step-by-step guide to make the booking of your DPI test appointment easy and without getting confused.
In this blog, I will demonstrate three simple ways of booking your DPI test in the following three ways:
- Via the SEHA app
- By calling SEHA’s helpline
- Via the Tamouh Healthcare website.
What is the DPI Test?
DPI (Diffractive Phase Interferometry) test. DPI is another method of laser-based screening in the UAE that could be used to diagnose signs of COVID-19 infection based on blood cell alterations. It is a form of laser-based screening for COVID-19 through a non-invasive test.
Why is it used?
The DPI test gained particular popularity at the boundaries of Abu Dhabi to have quick access to entry. Consider it as an expedited safety station to take into consideration the safety of the people without paying for delays.
- Quick Results: Usually within minutes.
- Affordable: Costs just AED 50.
- Convenient: Offered at key border points.
Where Can You Take the DPI Test?
Not all the clinics or hospitals have DPI tests. At the moment, they are under the management of Tamouh Healthcare, primarily in border and screening areas.
Main DPI Testing Centers in the UAE
This is the place where you could test your DPI:
- Ghantoot Border Screening Center
- It is located along with DPI and usually among the commuters situated on the Highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Tamouh Screening Center
- When you are already in the city of Abu Dhabi.
- SEHA Centers
- DPI testing is provided in some SEHA-affiliated centers as well
Method 1: Book Through the SEHA App
In case you are the type of person who likes to do things on your mobile and have some karaoke while doing it, here is the process.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Download the SEHA App
2. Sign Up or Log In
- Enter your Emirates ID or phone number
- Enter one one-time password on your phone
3. Tap on “COVID-19 Screening”
- You can select this appointment
4. Pick a Time Slot
- The available bubbles appear in real time
- Find that which suits your own time best
5. Upload Required Documents
- Emirates ID or Passport
- Cellphone Number and email address
6. Pay AED 50 Online
- The payment is completed through a card (Visa/MasterCard)
- A receipt + confirmation will be given by email/SMS
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Method 2: Call the SEHA Contact Center
You can also schedule your appointment over the phone if you are not computer savvy or prefer a more traditional booking style.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Call the SEHA Hotline: 800 50
- Available 24 hours, all days of the week
2. Provide Your Details
- Emirates ID or passport number
- Full name, mobile number, and email
- Preferred appointment date and time
3. Mention the Test Type & Location
- Inform them that they must have the DPI Test
4. Make the Payment
- Other agents will provide you with comprehensive payment links through SMS or email messages
5. Receive Your Confirmation
- The SMS/email will give you all the information
Documents Needed at the Test Center
Make sure you bring:
- Emirates ID or passport (original)
- Appointment confirmation (SMS/email/SEHA app)
- Face mask
- Payment confirmation
Who Needs a DPI Test?
- People who arrive in Abu Dhabi via the road
- People who want a rapid screening
- People needing border clearance without a PCR test
- Asymptomatic citizens who do not require frequent tests
Why I Recommend the SEHA App
However, the SEHA app was convenient, straightforward, and provided me with all the possibilities to select my time, date, and location freely.
It even enabled me to rebook once without any additional costs. The interface was easy on the user, and even a person like me, who is not a tech head at all, would find it easy. Less than 5 minutes was enough to do everything.
DPI Test Background: What It Is and Why Rules Change
Before you book, it helps to understand where the DPI test came from, because the rules around it have changed more than once. According to a Hospitals Magazine report on the launch published on 12 August 2020, SEHA’s Ambulatory Healthcare Services launched laser-based DPI testing at selected drive-through centres as a COVID-era screening step for people entering Abu Dhabi emirate. At that time the process involved booking through the SEHA app, paying AED 50, giving a small blood sample and receiving a result within minutes. The report also said that if a nose swab was needed, it was taken straight away and the person had to isolate until the result arrived.
What the test actually measures
What’s On explained in September 2020 that DPI stands for diffractive phase interferometry. It described a rapid laser-based blood test that detects tiny size differences in blood cells, which can signal a viral infection. The same article cautioned that the test cannot reliably tell one virus from another and is less accurate than a PCR test. That is why entry rules in 2020 switched back and forth between accepting DPI alone and asking for a supporting PCR result.
Why the date on a guide matters
In the 2020 reports, a negative DPI result was valid for a short window, 48 hours before entry, and some groups such as young children and people with certain health conditions were exempt from testing. Those conditions belonged to a specific period of the pandemic response. Entry requirements for Abu Dhabi have changed since, and I could not confirm from the sources I opened what the current position is. Please do not rely on any old article, mine included, to decide whether you need a test today.
How to check the current position
- Look at the SEHA or Abu Dhabi Department of Health channels for the latest entry and testing notices before you travel.
- If you are driving between emirates, check whether any testing or app-based requirement still applies to your trip.
- Ask your employer or school if they request a test result, since some organisations kept their own rules.
- Book only through the official SEHA channels, and be cautious of anyone offering appointments through social media messages.
If your trip depends on a test result, plan extra time and keep your Emirates ID and booking confirmation ready. Treat the fees, validity windows and locations in the main post as historical details unless the official channels confirm them for the current year.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can the DPI Test be used to enter Abu Dhabi?
Yes, but when the authorities do not prohibit it. Rules are subject to change; you should check the official Abu Dhabi entry rules and check before travelling.
Can I Get a DPI Test Without an Emirates ID?
Yes. Mobile phone number is the other mode commonly accepted, which is also very common among visitors.
Can Children Take the DPI Test?
Generally, yes. However, when you book them, it is necessary to ensure that age limits and eligibility are checked with the center.
Is the Test Painful?
Not in the least. It is only a blood test that takes more than a few seconds finger-prick.
How Soon Can I Use the Test Result?
The validity period of the results is usually 24 hours when traveling to Abu Dhabi.
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Final Thoughts
Scheduling a DPI test in the UAE appears to be a difficult task, especially when one has no information as to how to do it correctly. You can do it with the SEHA app, as I did, call their hotline, or even place the order through the Tamouh Healthcare website, and you will complete this task without any problems.
I would like to make it easier with my step-by-step experience. Using this guide, you will be all set to make an appointment, go through testing, and travel without worrying.
