The UAE has developed one of the most internationally accessible fertility care environments in the world. Its hospitals hold international accreditation, English is the working language across all partner clinic environments, and the clinical infrastructure, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is built around the needs of a patient population that arrives from East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, the UK, Europe and the United States.
This article covers each of the four My1Health partner clinics in the UAE in detail: what each clinic specialises in, which patient profiles each suits best, and what the practical experience of treatment looks like. It also covers costs, regulatory considerations, the patient journey from first consultation to the trip itself, and how My1Health supports the process at each stage.
Why the UAE Works Well as an IVF Destination
Geographic Accessibility
For patients based in East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, the UAE is the most accessible high-quality IVF destination available. Direct flights from Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Riyadh, Karachi and Mumbai make it reachable in a matter of hours rather than the full-day travel required for destinations in Europe or Southeast Asia. For patients from the UK, the UAE is approximately six hours direct from most major airports, with multiple daily departures. The total time away from home for a fresh IVF cycle in the UAE is typically 10 to 14 days.
English as the Clinical Language
Across all four My1Health partner clinics in the UAE, English is the primary clinical language. Patient coordinators, medical teams, laboratory staff and administrative support all communicate in English as standard. For international patients managing a complex medical process away from home, the absence of a language barrier has practical value that extends beyond comfort: it reduces the risk of miscommunication at critical stages of treatment.
Donor Egg Access
Unlike Turkey, the UAE permits donor egg IVF at registered fertility clinics. For patients who require donor eggs and prefer not to travel to Spain or Southeast Asia, the UAE provides a high-quality alternative with shorter travel times from most origin markets. My1Health confirms donor egg availability and current waiting times at each UAE partner clinic before any patient commits to a treatment plan.
Cultural Familiarity for Regional Patients
The UAE is a Muslim-majority country. Patients from the Middle East, East Africa and South Asia arrive in a cultural environment that is familiar, and its hospitals have deep experience serving patients for whom religious and cultural considerations are part of the clinical conversation. All four partner clinics have addressed questions around the permissibility of IVF procedures many times, and patients should feel confident raising these questions with the clinical team.
What the UAE Regulatory Framework Means for Your Treatment
The UAE's approach to fertility treatment is governed at both the federal and emirate level. The framework permits IVF for married couples and, subject to clinic-specific conditions, donor egg and sperm treatment. The regulatory environment is well-established, and the clinics operating within it are experienced in advising international patients on what applies to their specific circumstances.
UAE IVF Regulatory Framework: Key Points for International Patients
The following points apply to IVF treatment in the UAE and should be confirmed for your specific situation before planning travel.
- IVF in the UAE is available to married couples. A marriage certificate is required for treatment.
- Donor egg IVF is available at My1Health partner clinics in the UAE. Clinic-specific policies and any emirate-level conditions apply.
- PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing) is available at all four partner clinics.
- Muslim patients with questions about the permissibility of specific procedures, including donor egg IVF and embryo storage, should discuss these with both their chosen clinic and their religious authority. Clinics in the UAE have significant experience addressing these questions.
My1Health confirms the current regulatory position and clinic-specific conditions for your specific treatment plan before any appointment is arranged.
Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, Abu Dhabi: The Original IVF Programme in the Middle East
Bourn Hall was founded in Cambridge, England, by Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, the scientists and clinician responsible for the birth of Louise Brown in 1978, the first person in the world born through IVF. The clinic that carried out that work now operates in Abu Dhabi, bringing the same institutional lineage to the Middle East's fastest-growing fertility market.
The Abu Dhabi clinic offers a full fertility programme covering own-egg IVF, donor egg IVF, ICSI, PGT-A and fertility preservation. Its international patient team has experience managing patients arriving from East Africa, the Middle East and Europe, and remote consultation before travel is available as standard. For patients who place particular value on clinical heritage, or who are selecting their first UAE clinic and want an established international name, Bourn Hall in Abu Dhabi occupies a distinct position.
Who Bourn Hall Suits
- Patients from East Africa and the Middle East seeking a regionally accessible clinic with international credentials.
- Couples requiring donor egg IVF who want an established programme with a long institutional track record.
- Patients travelling for a second or third IVF attempt who want a clinical environment that offers detailed review of previous cycle records before committing to a protocol.
- Patients from the UK for whom the Bourn Hall name carries clinical assurance from a domestic context.
Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, Abu Dhabi: Key Facts
- Founded by the team behind the world's first IVF birth, Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe.
- Full fertility programme: own-egg IVF, donor egg IVF, ICSI, PGT-A, fertility preservation.
- English-language clinical environment. International patient coordination available.
- Located in Abu Dhabi. Direct flights from Nairobi, London, Karachi and Riyadh.
- Remote pre-treatment consultation available before patients travel.
Fakih IVF, Dubai: The UAE's Most Established Fertility Clinic
Fakih IVF is the UAE's largest and longest-established IVF clinic, with roots in the country's fertility sector that predate the international growth of medical travel to the region. The clinic has treated patients from the Middle East, East Africa, South Asia and Europe over several decades, and its team has accumulated a depth of experience with the specific clinical and cultural considerations that characterise the UAE's international fertility patient population.
Fakih IVF operates from Dubai, with access to a significant donor programme for patients who require donor eggs. The clinic offers the full range of fertility treatments including IVF, ICSI, donor egg cycles, PGT-A, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, and fertility preservation. For patients who are prioritising volume of clinical experience, particularly in donor egg cycles for patients from the Middle East and East Africa, Fakih IVF's track record is a meaningful consideration.
Who Fakih IVF Suits
- Patients from East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia for whom the UAE is a primary or preferred destination.
- Couples requiring donor egg IVF who want an established clinic with a large and diverse donor pool.
- Patients with more complex histories, including recurrent implantation failure or multiple cycle attempts, who want an experienced team that has encountered a wide range of clinical scenarios.
- Patients prioritising clinical volume and track record alongside accreditation.
Fakih IVF, Dubai: Key Facts
- The UAE's largest and most established IVF clinic by patient volume.
- Full programme: IVF, ICSI, donor egg, PGT-A, fertility preservation, surgical fertility treatments.
- Extensive donor egg programme with broad experience managing donor cycles for international patients.
- Significant patient population from East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.
- Dubai location with direct flights from most patient origin markets.
American Hospital Dubai: JCI-Accredited Fertility Care in a Full Hospital Setting
American Hospital Dubai is one of the UAE's most recognised internationally accredited hospitals, holding JCI accreditation and operating across a comprehensive range of medical and surgical specialties. For fertility patients, the relevance of that full hospital environment goes beyond prestige: it means that patients with underlying health conditions, those who require concurrent specialist review, and patients for whom fertility treatment intersects with another medical situation can access additional expertise within the same institution.
The fertility programme at American Hospital Dubai covers the full range of IVF treatments and is supported by the hospital's broader diagnostic and surgical infrastructure. For patients who have experienced complications in previous IVF cycles, or who have conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids or recurrent pregnancy loss that require both surgical and fertility expertise, the integrated environment at American Hospital Dubai is a practical clinical advantage.
Who American Hospital Dubai Suits
- Patients with underlying health conditions or complex medical histories who require specialist input alongside fertility treatment.
- Patients with conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, Asherman's syndrome or recurrent pregnancy loss where surgical and fertility expertise need to work in parallel.
- Patients from the UK, the US and Europe who are accustomed to JCI-accredited hospital environments and want the same standard in the UAE.
- Patients who value the reassurance of a full-service hospital with a broad specialist team, rather than a standalone fertility clinic.
American Hospital Dubai: Key Facts
- JCI-accredited. One of Dubai's most internationally recognised hospitals.
- Full-service tertiary hospital: fertility care supported by the hospital's broader specialist and surgical infrastructure.
- Particularly suited to patients with complex medical histories alongside fertility treatment needs.
- English-language clinical environment. International patient centre with dedicated coordination support.
- Dubai location, central and easily accessible from the airport.
Burjeel Hospitals: Accessible Multi-Site Fertility Care Across the UAE
Burjeel is one of the UAE's largest private hospital networks, with facilities across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other emirates. For patients who are based in, travelling to, or planning an extended stay in a part of the UAE beyond the two major cities, Burjeel's multi-site network provides accessible fertility care without the need to concentrate all treatment in a single location.
Burjeel's fertility programme covers IVF, ICSI, donor egg treatment and fertility preservation at select locations within the network. The group is well established in the UAE's private healthcare landscape and serves a significant patient population from across the region. For patients who want a choice of treatment location within the UAE, or who need treatment access across more than one emirate during their stay, Burjeel's network breadth is a practical advantage.
Who Burjeel Suits
- Patients planning an extended stay in the UAE who want flexibility of location across the treatment cycle.
- Patients based outside Dubai or Abu Dhabi who want accessible fertility care in other emirates.
- Patients looking for a cost-accessible option within the UAE's private hospital environment without compromising on regulatory standing.
Burjeel Hospitals: Key Facts
- One of the UAE's largest private hospital networks, with sites across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other emirates.
- Fertility services including IVF, ICSI, donor egg treatment and fertility preservation at select network locations.
- Multi-site flexibility for patients who require access across more than one emirate during treatment.
- Established UAE private healthcare group with a significant regional patient population.
IVF Costs in the UAE: What International Patients Should Budget
Costs in the UAE sit between the most competitive destinations, Turkey, Malaysia and Thailand, and the higher-priced European options. For patients who are selecting the UAE on the basis of proximity, donor egg access or regulatory confidence rather than purely on cost, the table below provides a realistic planning figure. All estimates are in USD and cover international patient costs at My1Health partner clinics.
| Treatment | Approximate Cost (USD) | Notes |
| Own-egg IVF cycle (fresh) | $4,000 to $7,000 | Includes stimulation medication, monitoring, egg collection, fertilisation and fresh embryo transfer. Medication costs vary by protocol. |
| Donor egg IVF cycle | $6,000 to $10,000 | Includes donor costs, recipient preparation, egg collection from donor, fertilisation, and transfer. My1Health obtains itemised estimates. |
| ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) | $500 to $1,000 | Add-on to standard IVF. Recommended where sperm quality or count is a factor. |
| PGT-A per embryo tested | $300 to $600 | Preimplantation genetic testing. Recommended in specific clinical circumstances. Treating team advises. |
| Frozen embryo transfer | $1,500 to $2,500 | For patients banking embryos from a previous cycle or from the same stimulation cycle. |
| Fertility preservation (egg freezing) | $2,500 to $4,500 | Includes stimulation, monitoring, egg collection and initial storage period. Annual storage fees apply. |
Figures are approximate ranges for international patients in 2026. Actual costs depend on the specific clinic, the treatment protocol prescribed, medication requirements and any additional procedures recommended. My1Health obtains written, itemised cost estimates from partner clinics before any patient travels. Medication is usually obtained locally in the UAE or prescribed for collection on arrival.
For patients considering multiple cycles, or banking embryos during a fresh cycle for a subsequent frozen transfer, My1Health can provide a complete multi-cycle cost projection that reflects both the fresh cycle and any frozen transfers that follow. Knowing the full potential cost before you begin is part of the practical planning support My1Health provides at no cost to patients.
Planning Your UAE IVF Trip: Travel, Timeline and Practical Logistics
A standard fresh IVF cycle in the UAE involves one main trip of approximately 10 to 14 days. For patients using a frozen embryo transfer protocol from previously banked embryos, the trip is shorter, typically 4 to 6 days. The table below outlines the standard journey from first contact to return home.
| Stage | Timing | What Happens |
| Remote consultation | Before travel | My1Health arranges a video consultation with the treating team at your chosen clinic. Medical records reviewed. Treatment protocol proposed. Cost estimate confirmed. |
| Investigations at home | As directed by treating team | Most clinics request recent AMH, FSH, LH and antral follicle count before confirming a protocol. Many patients already have these from prior treatment. |
| Stimulation monitoring | Days 2 to 11 of treatment cycle | Stimulation injections are self-administered at home. Monitoring scans are arranged at a local clinic or private scanning service. Results are sent to the UAE team daily. |
| Travel to UAE | Day 10 to 12 of cycle | Patients travel when follicle size is confirmed. Most patients arrive 1 to 2 days before egg collection. |
| Egg collection and transfer | Days 12 to 17 (approx.) | Egg collection under light sedation. Fertilisation and embryo culture in the laboratory. Fresh embryo transfer 3 to 5 days after collection, or blastocyst transfer at day 5. |
| Return home | After transfer | Progesterone support is prescribed. Pregnancy test at home 12 to 14 days after transfer. Remote post-cycle review available from the UAE team. |
Practical Logistics
- Flights: Direct flights from London, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Karachi, Mumbai and most GCC cities. Flight time from London is approximately 6 to 7 hours.
- Accommodation: Dubai and Abu Dhabi have extensive hotel options at all price points near all four partner clinics. My1Health can advise on suitable options near your chosen clinic.
- Documents to bring: Marriage certificate (required for IVF treatment in the UAE), passport, full medical records including previous cycle summaries, current investigation results and any GP referral letters.
- Medication: Stimulation medication is prescribed by the treating team and can be collected in the UAE or, in some cases, brought from home if cost or convenience is a factor. The treating team advises on the preferred approach.
- Monitoring at home: Most UAE partner clinics can coordinate stimulation monitoring at a local clinic or private scanning service in the patient's home country. My1Health facilitates this where needed.
How My1Health Supports Your IVF Treatment in the UAE
My1Health is a medical facilitation company. The services described below are provided at no cost to patients. My1Health receives a fee from partner clinics directly; there is no mark-up on the cost of treatment, and patients pay the clinic's own treatment rate.
- Clinic matching: Based on your clinical profile, treatment requirements, budget and location, My1Health recommends the most appropriate clinic from the four UAE partners. Where more than one is a strong fit, My1Health presents the options with a clear explanation of the differences.
- Remote consultation coordination: My1Health arranges a pre-travel video consultation with the treating team at your chosen clinic so your case is reviewed before you commit to travel.
- Written cost estimates: My1Health obtains a full, itemised cost estimate before any patient travels, covering the complete treatment cycle and any additional procedures that have been recommended.
- Regulatory confirmation: My1Health confirms whether donor eggs, PGT-A or other specific treatments are available for your situation at your chosen clinic, and advises on any documentation required.
- Travel and accommodation guidance: My1Health provides practical guidance on flights, accommodation near the clinic and the logistics of the monitoring phase at home.
- Post-cycle support: If the treatment cycle is followed by a frozen transfer or a repeat cycle, My1Health coordinates the next stage, including communication with the UAE team from home.
Continue Reading
New to considering IVF abroad? Start here:
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Comparing all five IVF destinations:
Best Countries for IVF Abroad: Turkey, UAE, Thailand, Malaysia and Spain Compared
IVF in Turkey with own gametes:
IVF at Memorial Hospital Turkey: What International Patients Need to Know
