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Nurses Migration
Your Trusted Route to Nursing Success in the UAE & GCC
of Nurse Migration Expertise
Applications Processed Every Year
Offices in India, NZ & Partners
From Dataflow → DHAHAAD / MOH Exam → Visa → Settlement
Nurses Migration
Guiding You from Qualification to Career Success in the UK
of Nurse Migration Expertise
Applications Processed Every Year
Offices in India, NZ & Partners
From Dataflow → DHAHAAD / MOH Exam → Visa → Settlement
For over 25 years, Derrick Jones has guided nurses from India and across the world to build successful careers and fulfilling lives abroad. What began in 1999 as a mission to make nurse migration accessible has grown into one of the most trusted migration services in the world — processing over 1,000 visa applications every year and now bringing that same depth of expertise to UAE and GCC pathways.
With offices in India and New Zealand, and partner branches spanning 13+ countries including the UK, USA, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Middle East, we offer unmatched global support for nurses aspiring to build careers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the Gulf.
The UAE is one of the world's most exciting destinations for internationally qualified nurses. Powered by a rapidly growing healthcare sector, world-class hospitals, and a tax-free income structure, the UAE combines outstanding career opportunity with an exceptional quality of life. And in 2022, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention made a landmark announcement — removing the mandatory two-year work experience requirement that had previously held many nurses back. For fresh graduates and early-career nurses, the doors to the UAE are now more open than ever.
At Derrick Jones, we simplify every step of your UAE migration journey. From Dataflow document verification to your DHA, HAAD, or MOH exam — from license activation to your first day on the ward — our dedicated team is with you every step of the way.
AED 8,000 to AED 18,000+ per month for registered nurses, with zero income tax deductions
UAE's healthcare sector is expanding rapidly across all seven Emirates, with strong demand for qualified international nurses
Most employers offer free accommodation (or housing allowance), transport, health insurance, annual leave, and a return flight to India
The mandatory two-year experience requirement has been relaxed, opening UAE pathways to newly qualified nurses
DHA-licensed nurses with 15+ years of service are eligible for the prestigious UAE Golden Visa — a long-term, sponsor-free residency
Over 200 nationalities call the UAE home; a large, established Keralite nursing community means you are never far from the familiar
To practise as a registered nurse in the UAE, you must meet the requirements of the relevant UAE licensing authority — DHA (Dubai), HAAD/DoH (Abu Dhabi), or MOH (Northern Emirates). The following core requirements apply across all three bodies.
BSc Nursing, Post BSc Nursing, or MSc Nursing. GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery) diploma holders may be eligible under certain categories. Your degree must be from a university and programme accredited by the Ministry of Education. Assistant nurses holding a diploma of more than 18 months of education are also eligible to apply for licensing.
A valid — or previously valid — nursing registration from your home country's nursing council (such as the Indian Nursing Council). This registration must be verifiable and will be confirmed through the Data flow credential verification process.
The mandatory two-years experience requirement was removed by MOHAP in 2022 for nurses from several countries, including India. Fresh graduates may now be eligible for UAE licensing depending on their qualification, country of graduation, and the specific licensing body. Your Derrick Jones adviser will assess your exact eligibility at your free consultation.
OET is specifically designed for healthcare professionals and is widely recommended for nurses applying to the NMC. Derrick Jones offers expert OET, IELTS, and PTE coaching as part of your migration journey.
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The UAE does not have a single national nursing licensing body. The authority responsible for your registration depends on which Emirate you will be working in.
Dubai Health Authority
Dubai, across all healthcare facilities
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the licensing body for all nurses working in Dubai. DHA registration confirms that you fulfil the requirements for your applied position and is valid for one year. Before you can begin clinical practice, your employing health facility must activate your DHA registration into a full professional licence.
Department of Health, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Al Ain & Al Dhafra region
The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has been restructured and now operates as the Department of Health (DoH). However, the licensing exam is still widely known as the HAAD exam among nursing professionals and remains the route to practising in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi offers some of the UAE's most prestigious hospitals and research facilities, including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City.
Ministry of Health and Prevention
Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah & Umm Al Quwain (Northern Emirates)
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) is the federal-level licensing body covering all Emirates outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It was MOHAP that announced the 2022 relaxation of the two-year experience rule — opening UAE nursing to fresh graduates. Nurses open to working in the Northern Emirates often find the MOH pathway faster and less competitive.
Not sure which licensing body is right for you? Your Derrick Jones adviser will recommend the best pathway based on your qualifications, experience, timeline, and preferred location.
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DHA registration in Dubai is the most commonly pursued UAE licensing pathway for Indian nurses. Here is the complete process — from your first self-assessment to your first day of practice — explained clearly.
(From Dataflow submission to active licence; varies by document processing speed and exam scheduling availability)
DHA Prometric Exam
Oral Assessment
DHA Application
Licence Activation
All fees are indicative and subject to change. Many NHS Trusts cover OSCE fees for sponsored nurses. Derrick Jones provides a complete personalised cost estimate at your free consultation.
The Health Authority Abu Dhabi, now operating as the Department of Health (DoH), governs nursing registration across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Al Dhafra region. While officially restructured, the licensing exam is still widely referred to as the HAAD exam — and remains the route to practising in some of the UAE's most prestigious healthcare institutions.
The HAAD / DoH process broadly mirrors the DHA pathway — beginning with document verification through Dataflow, followed by the Prometric examination, and concluding with registration issuance and licence activation. Key differences to note:
Abu Dhabi is home to internationally renowned institutions — Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and NYU Langone Health — offering exceptional career pathways for nurses with specialist aspirations.
The DOH licence opens doors to Abu Dhabi's world-class healthcare system. Let us make sure your application is right the first time.
Free ConsultationThe Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) is the federal licensing body for nurses working in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. It was MOHAP that made the landmark 2022 announcement removing the mandatory two-year experience requirement — significantly broadening access for fresh graduates and early-career nurses from India.
For nurses who are open to working outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the MOH pathway can offer a faster route to UAE licensing and an equally rewarding clinical experience. Sharjah in particular has a growing number of accredited hospitals and healthcare facilities with strong Indian nurse communities.
Derrick Jones will advise on which Emirate and licensing pathway best fits your qualifications, timeline, and career goals.
Free ConsultationThe DHA Prometric exam is a critical milestone in your UAE nursing registration journey. It assesses your clinical knowledge across core nursing disciplines and must be passed before your DHA registration can be issued. Preparation is essential.
The DHA exam tests knowledge across nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and mental health, community health nursing, and critical care. Questions are presented as MCQs and are designed to assess clinical decision-making, not just theoretical recall.
The UAE has extended one of its most prestigious programmes — the Golden Visa — to nursing professionals who have dedicated their careers to serving patients in Dubai. Following a directive from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, nurses employed by the Dubai Health Authority with over 15 years of service are now eligible to apply for the UAE Golden Visa. This initiative reflects the UAE leadership's deep recognition of the essential role nurses play in the healthcare system and the quality of life of the community.
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term, renewable residency programme that provides nurses and their families with unmatched stability, independence, and security in the UAE.
Applications are submitted through the ICP portal (icp.gov.ae) for federal applications, the GDRFA portal (gdrfad.gov.ae) for Dubai residents, or the TAMM portal for Abu Dhabi residents. Derrick Jones provides Golden Visa eligibility assessment and application support.
Nurses are recognized under the UAE's Frontline Heroes category — alongside medical assistants, laboratory technicians, pharmacologists, and other healthcare professionals acknowledged for their contributions during national health crises including COVID-19. To qualify, nurses generally need to demonstrate
Beyond its gleaming skyline and world-class hospitals, the UAE offers Indian nurses something rare — a career that is both financially exceptional and personally fulfilling, in a safe, multicultural environment where you and your family can truly thrive.
One of the most powerful advantages of nursing in the UAE is the complete absence of income tax. Nurses take home their full salary every month — no deductions. Combined with free accommodation, transport, and health insurance provided by most healthcare employers, the effective financial benefit far exceeds what equivalent salaries offer elsewhere.
Registered nurses in the UAE earn AED 8,000 to AED 18,000+ per month depending on their specialisation, experience, qualification, and Emirate. Critical care, ICU, emergency, and oncology nurses command the highest packages. Annual salary reviews and performance incentives are standard across major UAE health systems.
Most UAE healthcare employers offer free accommodation or a housing allowance, free transport between residence and workplace, comprehensive health insurance, paid annual leave, and a return flight to India each year. These benefits significantly reduce monthly living costs and provide a strong safety net for nurses and their families.
The UAE's rapidly expanding healthcare sector — with hospitals accredited by JCI and other global bodies — provides access to cutting-edge medical technology, international training programmes, and clear pathways to specialise in critical care, paediatrics, oncology, emergency nursing, and more. With experience, nurses advance to senior, supervisory, and nursing leadership roles.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi consistently rank among the world's safest cities, with low crime rates and strong legal protections for residents. With over 200 nationalities represented across the UAE, and one of the world's largest communities of Keralite and Indian nurses already established, you will find it easy to settle, connect, and feel at home from day one.
The UAE Golden Visa for nursing professionals — available after 15 years of DHA service — provides a route to sponsor-free, long-term residency that secures your future and your family's future in the UAE. It is a recognition that nursing is not just a job in the UAE — it is a valued vocation.
Trusted by over 10,000 clients worldwide, Derrick Jones has spent more than two decades refining every step of the nurse migration process. We know what works, what is required, and how to get you there faster.
Most agencies focus only on Dubai and DHA. Derrick Jones provides guidance across all three UAE licensing pathways — DHA, HAAD/DoH, and MOH — ensuring you get the right advice for the right Emirate, every time.
From your very first Dataflow document to your licence activation and beyond, we manage every stage — preparation, documentation, exam coaching, visa, and settlement. You do not need to navigate the UAE licensing system alone
Derrick Jones offers expert coaching for all UAE-accepted English language tests — OET, IELTS Academic, and PTE. Language preparation and exam coaching run in parallel, saving you time and cost.
With offices in India and New Zealand, and partner branches across the UK, USA, Ireland, the Middle East, Singapore, and Malaysia, Derrick Jones brings a truly global support network to every nurse's migration journey.
From language tests to clinical examinations, Derrick Jones provides complete training and personalised support — ensuring you are fully prepared for every requirement on your path to UAE nursing registration.
The DHA exam is a Prometric-based clinical MCQ assessment that all internationally qualified nurses must pass to receive DHA registration and practise legally in Dubai. Passing this exam, along with completing Dataflow verification and an Oral Assessment, is mandatory before DHA registration is issued.
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