The cost of a GAMCA (now commonly referred to as Wafid) medical test typically involves two main components:
- Online Registration/Appointment Fee: This is a fixed fee paid online to generate your medical slip and assign you to an approved medical centre. This fee is usually around USD 10 (plus forex/bank charges and taxes). In Indian Rupees, this generally translates to ₹1100 – ₹1500 depending on the service provider and exchange rates.
- Medical Center Fee: This is the fee you pay directly at the assigned GAMCA/Wafid-approved medical centre when you go for your examination. For most GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain), this fee is approximately ₹7500 – ₹8500 (or around USD 100).
Therefore, the total typical cost for a GAMCA/Wafid medical test in India can range from ₹8,600 to ₹10,000 (₹1100-1500 for registration + ₹7500-8500 for the medical centre).
Are there hidden fees?
While the core costs are generally transparent, there can be some additional or “hidden” fees/situations that might increase your overall expenditure:
- Service Charges for Online Booking: If you use a third-party agency or service to book your Wafid appointment, they may charge an additional service fee on top of the official USD 10 registration fee.
- Forex/Bank Charges: When paying the online registration fee, your bank might apply foreign exchange conversion charges and other bank fees, slightly increasing the actual cost in your local currency.
- Additional Tests: If the initial medical examination or tests show any abnormalities or inconclusive results, the medical centre might require you to undergo further, more specific tests (e.g., a CT scan for a suspicious X-ray, or more detailed blood work). These additional tests will incur extra charges, which are not part of the standard GAMCA fee.
- Re-tests: If you are declared “unfit” and need to reapply after the mandatory waiting period, you will have to pay the full registration and medical centre fees again for the new test.
- Urgent Processing Requests: While there’s no official “fast-track” for GAMCA, some centres or agents might claim to accommodate urgent requests for an additional fee, especially in cases of emergency. It’s important to be cautious of such offers.
- Report Reprints/Physical Copies: Some centres might charge a small fee for reprinting your medical report, providing a physical CD of your X-ray, or expediting report delivery.
- Agent Commissions: If you go through an agent or consultant for the entire process (visa, medical, etc.), their service fees will be added to the overall cost. It’s essential to clarify their charges upfront.
- Transportation and Accommodation: Don’t forget to factor in travel costs to and from the GAMCA-approved medical centre, especially if you need to travel to another city.
To avoid surprises, it’s always recommended to:
- Book directly through the official Wafid (formerly GAMCA) website for your appointment.
- Confirm the exact medical centre fees with the assigned centre before your appointment.
- Ask for a detailed receipt for all payments made.
- Be wary of agents promising exceptionally low prices or guaranteed “fit” results, as this could indicate fraudulent practices.
