UAE nurses to benefit from new golden visa program

UAE – Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has announced that nursing staff with 15 or more years’ service at Dubai Health will receive 10-year Golden Visas.

The directive, timed for International Nurses Day – recognizes the “invaluable contributions” of veteran nurses to healthcare.

Sheikh Hamdan praised nurses as “frontline partners in building a healthier society,” affirming that Dubai is committed to honoring their dedication.

The new visa grants these long-serving nurses a stable long-term residency status, a clear sign that the emirate values its healthcare heroes.

Eligibility and golden visa benefits

Eligible nurses are those employed by Dubai Health with at least 15 years of service in the UAE. Qualified nurses receive the standard UAE Golden Visa benefits. Key features include:

• 10-year renewable residency. The visa is a long-term permit (typically valid for 5 or 10 years) allowing holders to live, work or study in the UAE without needing a local sponsor.
• No sponsor requirement. Holders can maintain their residency independent of any employer, providing greater security and flexibility.
• Family sponsorship. Golden Visa holders can sponsor family members (spouses and children of any age) to join them in the UAE.
• Travel freedom. Visa holders may stay outside the UAE for extended periods (beyond the usual six months) without losing their residency.

These benefits translate into greater job security and stability for veteran nurses. A 10-year visa means they can plan long-term, invest in the community and focus on patient care without worrying about visa renewals.

In short, the Golden Visa offer is designed to reward loyalty and encourage nurses to continue their careers in the UAE healthcare system.

Boost to morale and retention

The announcement was met with heartfelt gratitude by nurses on the ground. Many said it gave them renewed confidence in their future.

One veteran Abu Dhabi nurse with 15 years in service said she will now “continue to stay here” because the 10-year visa means she “does not have to worry about [her children’s] future.”

Another nurse described discovering her visa extension as “an emotional moment” – “our hard work has been recognised,” she said, and she felt “determined to continue serving” in the UAE.

Such reactions suggest the Golden Visa will significantly boost morale. Experts note that long-term residency benefits can improve staff retention by rewarding experienced nurses and reducing turnover in an often-stressed profession.

Official statements emphasized the broader significance. Dubai’s announcement “recognizes the vital role nurses play in advancing healthcare and supporting community well-being,” the media noted.

Sheikh Hamdan’s comments framed nurses as “essential partners” in achieving a healthier society, underscoring that this is part of a sustained effort to support medical professionals.

Programs in other emirates and federal context

Dubai’s move fits a UAE-wide trend of honoring healthcare staff with long-term visas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, Abu Dhabi’s Frontline Heroes program awarded Golden Visas to over 30,000 medical workers (doctors, nurses, and others) nominated by health authorities across all emirates.

Many of those doctors and nurses expressed gratitude; one radiologist said the visa award gave them “great support and peace-of-mind.”

Abu Dhabi also explicitly includes healthcare specialists in its Golden Visa categories. Its official portal lists an “Elite Specialists in Health Fields” category (for doctors, nurses, and technicians with valid Abu Dhabi licenses) that offers the standard 10-year residency plus family sponsorship.

These visas have terms very similar to Dubai’s – long-term residence, ability to sponsor spouse/children, and so on.

In Sharjah and the other northern emirates, there has not been a separate nurses-only scheme announced, but healthcare professionals there are likewise eligible under the UAE’s general Golden Visa rules.

Nurses and hospital teams say the gesture makes them feel appreciated and more secure about their careers. In turn, policymakers hope it will help retain skilled nurses in the country and maintain high-quality care for the community.