UAE's frontline doctors encouraged to apply for golden visas

Doctors and their families can be granted long-term residency under the new application scheme

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, 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

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

The UAE's frontline doctors are being urged to apply for golden visas in recognition of their significant contribution to health care in the country.

The golden visa – a long-term residency scheme launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai – recognises experts in various fields who play a key role in supporting the nation's progress.

The golden visa will grant doctors and their families a 10-year residency, allowing them to establish roots in the country.

The move also bolsters the UAE's health sector by encouraging the best talent to remain in the Emirates long term.

All doctors licensed by the country's health regulatory bodies can apply for the golden visa from now until September by using the website smartservices.ica.gov.ae.

Doctors licensed in Dubai can apply through smart.gdrfad.gov.ae.

Relevant government departments will receive and review the applications.

Seven centres affiliated with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship will be established across the Emirates for doctors who wish to apply for the golden visa in person.

More than 200 doctors in Dubai were granted a 10-year golden residency visa in May last year for their work to protect the emirate against Covid-19.

This month, a Pakistani doctor told of her joy at receiving a golden visa for her work supporting patients battling Covid-19.

Javairia Hassan, 30, has seen the devastating effects of the pandemic while working as a physician in intensive care units caring for critically ill patients.

“I was among the first batch of doctors who started working during the pandemic,” she told The National.

“Being awarded the 10-year visa makes me feel appreciated and it’s a great way to reward the healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly since the pandemic started,” said Dr Hassan, who has been in the medical field for eight years and holds practising licences from Pakistan, England and the UAE.

“When I received the call, I was really happy. Then, when they stamped the visa on my passport, I just couldn’t stop smiling. It was a great feeling.”

UAE's golden vision for the future

The UAE government recently announced the start of the golden visa application process for coders through the National Programme for Coders as part of a wide-ranging plan to invest in the nation's talent and encourage professionals from around the globe to live and work in the UAE.

The UAE set out a scheme to provide 100,000 golden visas to the best computer programming talent in the UAE and the world.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid signed a deal with several technology companies, including Google, Facebook and Amazon, to train 100,000 young people in computer programming.

Long-term residency will be granted to entrepreneurs, owners of enterprises, and start-ups specialising in coding.

Under the scheme, high-school pupils who achieve top marks in their final exams will be awarded the golden visa by the UAE government.

Children who scored 95 per cent or more will receive a 10-year visa for themselves and their immediate families.