There is a shortage of nurses in both public and private sectors in the UAE. According to a recent announcement by the UAE Ministry of Health, nurses coming to the UAE on visit visas will now be allowed to work here. Such nurses will be permitted to take the nursing examination of the Ministry of Health and take up work in the private sector.

The Ministry of Health is planning to take steps that will encourage more expatriate nurses to join the job front in the UAE. This includes a reduction of the number of years mandatory to serve at public sector institutes after graduation to 2 years.

At present, expatriate nurses are provided free education by the Ministry of Health, but qualified nurses have to work at medical institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health for at least 3 years.