How Children’s Medical Requirements Differ from Adults in GCC Visas

Based on the information I found, here's how medical requirements for children differ from adults for GCC visas.

Key Differences in Medical Requirements

For GCC visas, the medical examination, known as the GAMCA (now often called WAFID) test, is primarily for adults. While adults require a full medical screening, the requirements for children are generally more lenient and can vary by country.

Age-Based Exemption: In most cases, children under 12 years old are exempt from the full, comprehensive medical test that adults must undergo.

Partial Screening: For children aged 12 and up, some countries may require a partial medical examination. This can include basic health checks to ensure they are free from infectious diseases.

Vaccination Records: Even if a child is not required to take a medical test, up-to-date vaccination records are often a mandatory document for the visa application.

Standard Medical Tests for Adults

Adults are required to undergo a full medical examination to screen for communicable diseases. The standard tests include:

Blood Tests: To check for diseases like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B & C, and Syphilis.

Chest X-rays: To screen for Tuberculosis (TB).

Urine Tests: To check for specific conditions.

Physical Examination: A general check of the applicant's overall health.

Even though kids might not require all of them, the main objective of any child's medical examination is the same as that of an adult: to make sure the youngster doesn't represent a risk to the public's health. For the most precise and current information, it is always better to verify with the relevant embassy or consulate, as the specific requirements can vary between countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain.