Work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Working as a health professional in Dubai or Abu Dhabi requires an offer of an employment and sponsorship by an employer. To remain in the UAE, foreign workers must obtain a residence visa, often referred to as an employment visa, and a work permit/labour card. Residence visas are provided by the employer, in almost all instances.

The Immigration Department is responsible for issuing employment visas and passports to foreign nationals, following approval from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Permission to employ an individual must be obtained in advance by the sponsoring employer, who is responsible for submitting valid passport details and other documentation to the relevant authorities within the UAE.

In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, registered nurses and registered midwives from the UK, Republic or Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States following are recognised as exempt from the competency based assessment requirement and will automatically be eligible for primary source verification in regards to the processing of their application for licensing.

World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office reports that 96% of the UAE’s nursing workforce is foreign-born.

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates – United Kingdom
30 Prince’s Gate
London SW7 1PT, UK
P: +44 20 7581 1281