Golden Visa For Health Workers In Dubai
Important guidelines are issued by Ministry of Health and Prevention regarding the Golden Visa Program for Healthcare Workers in UAE, now people can avail more benefits under this new visa program. The prime objective of this program is to facilitate the recruitment of qualified health care professionals (doctors, nurses/midwives, hospital-based midwifery providers, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists and allied healthcare workers) while offering them a pathway to permanent residency. In order to benefit from the golden visa scheme one must fulfill the following conditions:The UAE government has opened the door to being a residence visa holder for health workers. This makes it much easier to obtain a residence visa in the UAE.
Golden Visa For Health Workers In Dubai
Golden visa programs are a very popular method for obtaining residency and citizenship in different countries. Governments attach a certain number of visas to investors who will bring money into their country. One of such programs named Gold Visa Program, initiated by the UAE government, allows non-GCC citizens to obtain UAE resident status easily if they have a substantial financial investment.
Nurses, ambulance workers and frontline workers who helped protect the country during the Covid-19 pandemic were surprised to find their residency automatically upgraded to a golden visa.
Healthcare workers caring for critically ill Covid-19 patients at UAE hospitals say they were surprised to find their two-year Emirates ID cards were updated to 10 years after checking their identities on the Federal Identity and Citizenship Authority app .
I have told my son to choose the university here instead of studying abroad
Smitha Bhavanan
This matches Government Notice Last year, frontline workers and their families will receive golden visas in recognition of their extraordinary efforts to protect the country.
National Talk to nurses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi who were among the first to renew their visas without applying for a golden visa.
The process is expected to be rolled out to hospital staff across the country as part of a government initiative to recognise the work of medical staff and provide stability to frontline heroes and their families.
Pride moment for nurses
Silpa Suresh, a nurse at the NMC Royal Hospital in Dubai, and her husband, Jephy Antony, head nurse at the emergency room, were granted golden visas on Thursday.
“I heard from other nurses and then we found out that we also got golden visas,” the 32-year-old said.
Ms Suresh’s work visa is valid until next year, but the new document extends her until 2032.
“All the nurses were talking about it. At first, I thought it wasn’t true because I hadn’t applied for a golden visa,” said Ms Suresh, who works at the NMC clinic.
“Then I checked and confirmed that and I’m happy.
“It makes a big difference because we don’t need to renew visas for children every two years.
“As part of the medical team, I am fortunate to receive such a great honour from the UAE government. It is a proud moment for both of us to be recognised for the hard work of frontline workers.”
Covid hero
Authorities said earlier this year, Emirates ID – National ID system – will contain details of resident visa status.
Government departments have been told that they can verify residency through Emirates ID and will no longer put residency visa stickers on passports.
A NMC spokesman confirmed that nurses, ambulance drivers and an IT staff member from the health and safety unit had recently been granted golden visas without applying.
At NMC Royal Hospital, where Nurse Suresh works, there are about 110 staff on golden visas, including nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and radiographers.
“There is a sense of elation between them,” an NMC spokesperson told National.
“They are Covid heroes and these roles are considered vital to the country.
“Education and healthcare are the backbone of any country’s development and key players in the effective management of the country.
“People are grateful and optimistic that their hard work and service to their communities are being recognized.”
The total number of Golden Visas for all categories of NMC nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory, dialysis and anesthesia technicians, radiographers, physiotherapists is approximately 1,000.
surviving the pandemic
The news prompted many healthcare workers to change their long-term plans.
Smitha Bhavanam, an emergency nurse at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi, has decided that her teenage son will attend university in the UAE instead of India.
Watching patients struggle in early 2020 as the pandemic swept the country was distressing for Ms Bhavanam, who has worked in the country for 19 years.
“It’s been a painful three years,” said the 43-year-old cousin, who lost his cousin to Covid-19.
“We survived, but it’s not easy to see people suffer.”
The news about her golden visa puts an end to anxiety about her 17-year-old son’s visa status after high school.
According to the previous regulations, 18 year old Boys need to study at university to be eligible for UAE residency.
“We’ve heard that nurses can apply for golden visas, but think it will take time,” she said.
“We are very grateful for that. I have told my son to choose a university here instead of studying abroad. I really like this country when I compare it to any other country.”
Sheikh Shakhbout’s intensive care unit nurse Ajas Aliyar said he cannot forget the fight to protect the lives of Covid-19 patients.
Patients were intubated when they couldn’t breathe, and staff cared for them, weaning them off the ventilator and continuing to monitor their progress as they moved to the general ward.
“Those nights were scary when we saw patients struggle and had to respond quickly,” he said.
“We remain strong against the infection and the country; the government is very supportive of us.”
His residence visa is valid until 2024, and on Wednesday he was surprised to find it had been renewed until 2032.
“This is a real thank you to the intensive care unit and clinical staff,” Mr Aliar said.
save life
Joslin Coelho, a nurse working with Mediclinic in Abu Dhabi, was delighted to find out on Thursday that her visa had been extended.
“N95 masks, gowns, breathing and working in full PPE all day is very difficult,” she said.
“It’s suffocating and a challenge for all of us.
“This news about the golden visa brings joy to everyone.”
Dr. Anupuma Wazir, Head of Emergency Department at NMC Specialist Hospital in Al Nahda, Dubai, described how proud her colleagues were to be recognised for their efforts.
Dr Wazir said: “Many of us have been working with Covid patients for more than two years and the priority given to this type of visa by the government is significant.”
“We see patients almost dying, put them on ventilators and see them walk away with a smile.
“Our team has saved many lives.
“I used to cry inside my PPE when we lost patients.
“It’s satisfying for us because the importance of medical staff has been revealed during the pandemic.”
Name: Mohammad Kalub. Age: 30. Nationality: Palestine. Job: The PCR technician worked at the Tamouh tent in Mussaffah for five months. Past job: Hotel manager. Question: What is the biggest challenge you face as a PCR frontline worker? Answer: “The biggest challenge by far has been interacting with thousands of negative and positive people every day. My colleagues and I are always at risk of getting infected.” Photo: Victor Besa/The National