Golden Visa's For Dubai Nurses

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, announced on Monday that golden visas would be granted to nurses who have served with Dubai Health for over 15 years.

He emphasized that nursing staff are vital to the healthcare system and play a crucial role in fostering a healthier society. Sheikh Hamdan commended their dedication to patient care and their commitment to others' well-being, as reported by Dubai Media Office.

Golden visas are 10-year residency permits awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country, possess highly valued skills, or work in sectors vital to economic growth.

The announcement coincided with International Nurses Day, celebrated annually on May 12. Additionally, a nursing conference was held in Dubai on Monday by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and Emirates Health Services, focusing on the growing challenge of attracting new professionals to the field.

Although the number of nurses has risen from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, the global population growth has led to increased demand for care. Analysts predict that access to nursing will continue to decline, with the anticipated shortage by 2030 increasing from 10 million to 11 million.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the World Health Organisation’s director for the eastern Mediterranean, stated that the region is preparing to address a quarter of the global shortfall by 2030.

“Progress is off-track and, without targeted action, nursing workforce gaps will persist beyond 2030, especially in the most vulnerable regions,” she said.

“We face tough realities: deteriorating working conditions, gaps in education and training, weak regulation, deep inequities and the immigration of nurses. To make matters worse, more than 60 per cent of global attacks on health care occur in our region. We urgently need targeted, high-impact and sustainable investments in jobs, education, leadership and service delivery.”