What is Wafid? (Formerly GAMCA)
Wafid (وافد) is the official GCC unified medical examination system for expatriate workers. It was previously known as GAMCA (Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association). The name changed in 2022 but the process, tests, and purpose are identical.
All expatriate workers from designated countries entering Kuwait for employment are required to complete a Wafid medical fitness test before their visa is processed. The test is done in your home country at a Wafid-approved medical center. If you are already in Kuwait and renewing your iqama, a medical test may also be required at a Kuwait MOI-approved medical center.
ℹ️ Not all nationalities require Wafid. The requirement applies to workers from specific countries — primarily South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. Your employer or the Kuwait embassy in your home country can confirm if it applies to you.
How to Check Your Medical Report Online
- 1Go to wafid.com in any browser.
- 2Click Medical Report or Check Medical Status from the menu.
- 3Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on your passport.
- 4Enter your date of birth and select your nationality.
- 5Click Search. Your result — FIT, UNFIT or PENDING — is displayed along with the medical center name and test date.
⚠️
Use only the official wafid.com website. Several unofficial sites mimic the Wafid portal and charge fees for a free service. The genuine Wafid report check is completely free.
What Your Medical Result Means
The Wafid system returns one of four possible results. Here is what each means and the exact action to take.
✅ FIT
Medically Fit
You passed all required tests. Your medical certificate is valid and your visa or iqama application can proceed.
👉 Proceed with visa / iqama application. Certificate valid for 3 months from test date.
❌ UNFIT
Medically Unfit
You tested positive for a disqualifying condition. Your visa or iqama application will typically be refused and you must return to your home country.
🚨 Contact your employer immediately. Seek advice on your specific condition — some are treatable and you may be able to retest.
⏳ PENDING
Result Not Yet Ready
Your test has been completed but the result has not yet been uploaded to the Wafid system. This is normal for 24–72 hours after your test.
⏳ Check again in 1–3 working days. If still pending after 5 days, contact the medical center directly.
⚠️ CONDITIONAL
Conditionally Fit
You are fit with conditions noted — for example, a medical condition that requires monitoring but does not disqualify you. Your employer and the Kuwait embassy will be notified.
ℹ️ Discuss with your employer. The visa decision is at the embassy's discretion based on the noted condition.
What Tests are Included
The Wafid GCC medical fitness test is a standardised panel of tests. All tests below are included for Kuwait-bound workers.
HIV Test
Blood test for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies. A positive result leads to UNFIT.
Hepatitis B
Blood test for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Positive = UNFIT.
Hepatitis C
Blood test for Hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV). Positive = UNFIT.
VDRL (Syphilis)
Blood test for syphilis. Reactive results may require confirmatory testing.
Chest X-Ray
Screens for active tuberculosis (TB). Active TB = UNFIT.
Physical Exam
General physical examination by a licensed doctor. Blood group and RH factor also recorded.
ℹ️ Additional tests may be required for certain nationalities or job categories (e.g. domestic workers, healthcare workers). The medical center will advise you at the time of your appointment.
What to Do if You are Declared UNFIT
An UNFIT result is serious but the situation depends on the specific condition. Here is what to do.
- 1Do not panic. Contact your employer or recruitment agency immediately and inform them of the result.
- 2Obtain your full report. Visit the medical center that conducted your test and request a copy of your detailed medical report — you are entitled to this.
- 3Seek medical advice from a doctor in your home country regarding the specific condition flagged. Some conditions — such as a false positive for syphilis — can be contested and retested.
- 4If you believe there is an error, you may apply for a repeat test at a different Wafid-approved center. Bring the first report and a letter from your doctor.
- 5For conditions like HIV or active TB, the UNFIT result is final for Kuwait under current GCC regulations. Your employer and the Kuwait embassy will be notified and your visa will be refused.
⚠️
Do not travel to Kuwait with an UNFIT result. You will be denied entry at the airport, placed in a deportation holding area, and deported at your own expense. Always resolve the medical status before travel.
Kuwait MOI-Approved Medical Centers
For iqama renewals done inside Kuwait, the medical test is conducted at a Kuwait MOI-approved medical center — not via the Wafid system. The tests are similar. Here are the main MOI-approved medical centers in Kuwait as of 2026.
| Medical Center | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Al Razi Medical Complex | Shuwaikh | One of the largest; handles high volume of residency medicals |
| Al Noor Polyclinic | Hawalli | Popular for South Asian expat workers |
| Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital | Mubarak Al Kabeer | Government hospital; MOI medicals available |
| Al Seef Hospital | Salmiya | Private; accepts walk-ins for residency medicals |
| MOI Medical Department | Various governorates | Official MOI medical units attached to residency offices |
💡 Always confirm with your employer or PRO which center to use — some employers have preferred centers and the process is coordinated by the PRO. Do not attend a random clinic without confirmation.
Certificate Validity & Fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certificate validity | 3 months from date of test (home country Wafid) |
| In-Kuwait medical validity | Linked to iqama renewal — typically valid for 1 renewal cycle |
| Wafid report check | Free at wafid.com |
| Test cost (home country) | Varies by country and center — typically USD 30–80 equivalent |
| Test cost (in Kuwait) | KD 10–25 depending on the center and tests required |
| Result turnaround | 24–72 hours in most cases; up to 5 working days for complex cases |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my Wafid medical report for Kuwait?▾
Go to wafid.com and click Check Medical Report. Enter your passport number, date of birth, and nationality, then click Search. Your result — FIT, UNFIT, or PENDING — is displayed instantly along with the medical center and test date. The check is completely free. Use only the official wafid.com site.
What is the difference between Wafid and GAMCA?▾
Wafid is the new official name for the GCC medical examination system, previously called GAMCA (Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association). The name changed in 2022. The tests, approved centers, process and purpose are identical. If someone says "GAMCA medical," they are referring to the same Wafid system.
What does UNFIT mean on my Wafid report?▾
UNFIT means one or more of your blood tests or your chest X-ray returned a result that disqualifies you from working in Kuwait under GCC health regulations. The most common causes are HIV, active tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. Your visa application will be refused. Contact your employer immediately and obtain your full medical report from the center for advice on next steps.
My result is still PENDING after 5 days — what should I do?▾
If your Wafid result is still showing PENDING after 5 working days, contact the medical center where you had your test directly — bring your passport and receipt. They can check the status internally and, if the result is ready, request it to be uploaded to the Wafid system. If the center cannot help, contact the Wafid helpline through the wafid.com contact page.
How long is a Wafid FIT certificate valid for Kuwait?▾
A Wafid FIT certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of your test. Your Kuwait visa must be issued and you must travel to Kuwait within this validity period. If the certificate expires before you travel, you will need to repeat the entire medical test at a Wafid-approved center.
Do I need a Wafid medical for iqama renewal inside Kuwait?▾
For iqama renewal inside Kuwait, you typically attend a Kuwait MOI-approved medical center rather than using the Wafid system. The tests are similar — blood tests and chest X-ray — but the result goes directly to the MOI system, not to wafid.com. Your employer's PRO will arrange the medical appointment as part of the renewal process. See the Iqama Renewal Guide for full details.
Can I contest an UNFIT result?▾
Yes, in some cases. If you believe the result is a false positive — for example, a reactive VDRL that is not confirmed by further testing — you can request a repeat test at a different Wafid-approved center. Obtain your full detailed report from the original center and seek a doctor's letter confirming the discrepancy. The final decision rests with the Wafid system and Kuwait authorities. For HIV, active TB, or confirmed Hepatitis, contestation is generally not possible.
Which nationalities need a Wafid medical for Kuwait?▾
The Wafid medical requirement applies to workers from designated countries — primarily India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and several other countries. Workers from GCC countries, Western nations, and some other countries are generally exempt. Your recruitment agency or the Kuwait embassy in your country can confirm whether the requirement applies to your nationality and job type.