What is DHA DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) in 2026?
DHA DataFlow PSV Quick Summary
Primary Source Verification (PSV) is the check in which DataFlow Group, acting for the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), contacts the university, hospital or council that issued each of your documents and asks it to confirm the document is genuine. Each document comes back Positive, Unable to Verify or Discrepancy, and DHA cannot process your registration until the PSV report is complete.
Every doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist and allied health professional applying to DHA goes through PSV. Most people meet it as "the DataFlow step" and treat it as paperwork. It is more than that. It is the point where DHA stops taking your word for your degree, internship and experience and asks the people who issued them instead. This page explains what PSV is, how DataFlow does it for DHA and what each result means. For the document checklist, upload tips and cost, read our separate page on DHA DataFlow requirements for doctors, pharmacists and nurses.
What is DHA DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) process?
A "primary source" is the body that created the document. For your MBBS degree it is the university registrar. For an experience letter it is the hospital's HR department. For your licence it is your medical council. PSV means the verifier goes back to that source and asks, "Did you issue this, to this person, with these dates?" A copy that looks perfect is not enough on its own.
DHA does not do this itself. Its licensing manual says PSV is delegated to a third-party professional verification agency, and for DHA that agency is DataFlow Group. DataFlow sends the request, chases the reply, records the answer and issues a PSV report that DHA reads with your application.
What PSV checks, in plain terms:
- that the document was really issued by the institution named on it
- that the institution is a recognised one in its own country
- that names, dates, titles and durations match the issuer's records
- for licences and good standing, that the registration is real and not restricted
Why does DHA require PSV before registration?
Fake and altered certificates are a real problem in every Gulf regulator, and a doctor licensed on a false degree puts patients at risk. So DHA makes PSV a condition, not an extra. Its licensing manual states that a Get Registered application cannot be processed until the PSV report is complete. The same manual allows a negative PSV result, or submitting incorrect or falsified documents, to place the professional on the DHA black list, and a blacklisted professional cannot apply for registration.
This is also why you cannot "fix" a weak experience letter by retyping it. DataFlow is not judging the paper. It is asking the hospital, and the hospital answers from its own records.
How does DataFlow carry out PSV for DHA?
DataFlow's own FAQ gives a standard timeframe of 15 to 25 working days from payment and submission of a complete set of documents. Older versions of this page said 20 to 40 working days. In practice, one slow university or a hospital that has closed is what stretches a file to two or three months. You can follow your case on DataFlow's status site with your case number; our guide on checking your DataFlow status shows how. If you are unsure whether to finish PSV or sit the exam first, see DataFlow or Prometric exam first.
Is PSV the same as attestation or equivalency?
No, and mixing these up causes a lot of wasted effort. They are three different checks done by different people.
| Check | Who does it | What it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Source Verification (PSV) | DataFlow Group, for DHA | Is this document genuine, according to the body that issued it? |
| Attestation or apostille | Foreign ministries and embassies | Is the stamp or signature on this document official? DataFlow says it does not need attestation or apostille for PSV. |
| Eligibility and title | DHA, using the Unified PQR | Does this qualification and experience meet the requirements for the title you applied for? |
A Positive PSV report does not mean you are eligible. It only means your documents are real. Whether your degree, internship and years of experience fit the GP, specialist or consultant title is a separate DHA decision, explained on DHA requirements for GPs, specialists and consultants.
What are different status one may face for DataFlow process?
Each document in your PSV report comes back with one of three results. DataFlow's screens sometimes say "Verified" or "Positive" for the first one; they mean the same thing.
| Status | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Positive (Verified) | The issuer confirmed the document and its details. | Nothing. This is the result you want for every document. |
| Unable to Verify (UTV) | DataFlow could not get a confirmation, usually because the issuer did not reply, has closed or would not release records. | Help DataFlow reach the issuer and request re-verification. DHA allows the same document to be re-verified up to two times after a UTV. |
| Discrepancy (negative) | The issuer's answer did not match the document, for example different dates, a different title, or a document the issuer says it never issued. | Find out exactly what did not match and send evidence. DHA allows one re-verification (appeal) after a Discrepancy. |
What to do during DataFlow Negative/Discrepancy status?
First, read the report carefully. Many discrepancies are honest mismatches: a hospital that printed the wrong joining date, a name spelled differently on the degree and the passport, or an experience letter that calls you "medical officer" when the licence says "general practitioner". These can usually be fixed with a corrected letter from the issuer or a name change document, followed by an appeal through DataFlow. Appeals have a deadline, so do not wait.
If information is simply missing, you can add missing information to your existing DataFlow application rather than starting again.
What you should never do is upload a different version of the same document hoping it passes. Submitting fake or altered credentials can lead to a negative report, the DHA black list and rejection of your application, and DHA may cancel a licence later if misleading documents come to light.
Can a DHA PSV report be used for DOH or MOHAP?
Often, yes. The DHA licensing manual says DHA accepts PSV reports transferred from DOH (Abu Dhabi), MOHAP and the Sharjah Health Authority, while keeping the right to ask for more verification. DataFlow runs a Report Transfer service for moving a verified report to another regulator: it needs a freshly signed Letter of Authorization, the fee depends on the regulator, and DataFlow says the report is usually ready in 5 to 7 working days when no new documents are needed.
For the details by route, see DataFlow report transfer to DHA, DOH and MOH, MOHAP DataFlow report transfer to DOH and, if you are coming from Saudi Arabia, using an SMLE DataFlow report for DHA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PSV stand for in DHA licensing?
PSV stands for Primary Source Verification. It means each of your documents (degree, internship, licences, experience letters and Good Standing Certificate) is checked directly with the institution that issued it. For DHA, this is done by DataFlow Group.
Is DataFlow part of DHA?
No. DataFlow Group is a private verification company. DHA delegates PSV to a third-party verification agency, and DataFlow is the agency it uses. DHA still makes every licensing decision.
How long does DHA DataFlow PSV take?
DataFlow gives a standard timeframe of 15 to 25 working days from payment and a complete set of documents. It takes longer if an issuer is slow to reply, a hospital has closed, or a document has to be re-verified.
Does a positive DataFlow report mean I am eligible for DHA?
No. A positive report confirms your documents are genuine. Eligibility for your title (degree, internship, experience, PQR tier) is decided separately by DHA, and you may also need to pass the DHA assessment unless you are exempt.
Do I need attested documents for DataFlow PSV?
DataFlow says it does not need attestation or apostille for PSV, only clear and complete scans. DHA does ask for a certified legal translation of documents that are not in English or Arabic, and an employer may ask for attested copies later.
What happens if my PSV report shows a discrepancy?
You can appeal once through DataFlow for that document, with evidence such as a corrected letter from the issuer. If the discrepancy stands, DHA can refuse the application, and falsified documents can lead to the DHA black list.
Your Comments
Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.
Thoufeeq Ahamed (Dubai, UAE): how can a food science and nutrition graduate apply to DHA?
"Hi, my wife completed Bsc Food science and Nutrition.... She is in visiting... What is the procedure & requirements to apply DHA."
Thoufeeq Ahamed
Medical Qualification: Bsc Food science
City, Country: Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Furkhan (Hyderabad, India): when is the exam held and where do I apply?
"Hello I'm furkhan ,when will it held this year and what is the site to apply for it ."
Furkhan
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Hadee (Dubai, UAE): can my QBank access be extended for a third attempt?
"Dear Admin team, i will be doing my third attempt of DHA exam in the end of this month, December. Unfortunately, my current subscription is expiring on 9th of this month. If you could kindly extend my account validity until end of December according to the generous policy that you will help out the users with failed exam attempts by extending the pass for free for a limited time. Looking forward to your reply. if exam date and previous failed attempt results to be submitted, please kindly let me know, Thank you so much... Dr. Hadee."
Hadee
Medical Qualification: MBBS
City, Country: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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