• Dr Adel Alsisi, a consultant in critical care medicine and chief medical officer at Prime Hospital, said lessons have been learned in the twelve months since the first Covid-19 deaths in the UAE. Pawan Singh / The National.
    Dr Adel Alsisi, a consultant in critical care medicine and chief medical officer at Prime Hospital, said lessons have been learned in the twelve months since the first Covid-19 deaths in the UAE. Pawan Singh / The National.
  • Dr Adel Alsisi, wearing PPE kit at the isolation ward at the Prime Hospital. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dr Adel Alsisi, wearing PPE kit at the isolation ward at the Prime Hospital. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dr Adel Alsisi, described how treatment had changed during a year on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dr Adel Alsisi, described how treatment had changed during a year on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dr Alsisi, left, and a colleague enter the room of a patient in the intensive care ward at Prime Hospital in Garhoud, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dr Alsisi, left, and a colleague enter the room of a patient in the intensive care ward at Prime Hospital in Garhoud, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • ICU specialist Dr Igbal Mubarak Sirag described a critical 'storm' period endured by coronavirus patients. Victor Besa / The National
    ICU specialist Dr Igbal Mubarak Sirag described a critical 'storm' period endured by coronavirus patients. Victor Besa / The National
  • ICU doctors including Dr Igbal Mubarak Sirag have given their view on what lessons have been learned and what has changed during the past 12 months. Victor Besa / The National
    ICU doctors including Dr Igbal Mubarak Sirag have given their view on what lessons have been learned and what has changed during the past 12 months. Victor Besa / The National

UAE

UAE launches services to help doctors obtain golden visas

Decision is intended to streamline application process for long-term residency

The National

August 02, 2021

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  • Arabic

Authorities have launched services to help doctors living in the UAE to obtain long-term residency.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention have started to streamline the application procedure, state news agency Wam reported on Monday.

The golden visa – a long-term residency initiative launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai – recognises experts in various fields who play a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s progress. It also attracts skilled workers to the UAE.

Last month, doctors on the front line of the pandemic were encouraged to apply for golden visas in recognition of their contribution towards health care in the country.

Doctors in the UAE qualify for the golden visa, which provides long-term residency in the country, as well as scientists and doctorate holders.

All doctors licensed by the country’s health regulatory bodies can apply for the golden visa from now until September at smartservices.ica.gov.ae. Doctors licensed to practise in Dubai can apply at smart.gdrfad.gov.ae.

Maj Gen Suhail Al Khaili, acting director general of the ICA, said the decision to offer golden visas to all non-Emirati doctors based in the UAE paid tribute to their efforts in containing Covid-19, Wam reported.

Dr Mohammad Al Olama, undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention and chairman of the Emirates Health Services Establishment, said the initiative would develop medical tourism and the domestic health sector.

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Updated: August 02, 2021, 5:40 AM