Top Advantages of a Working Nurse in the Middle East

(Estimated reading time: 6 minutes)

Work opportunities overseas have always been abundant. Healthcare workers, especially nurses, continue to be in-demand professions globally. Places like the Middle East, the United States, China, Australia, and New Zealand, are some with the highest need for them. It’s no surprise that these places require numerous nurses as they are naturally vast in their territory and therefore need as many human resources as possible.

Among those mentioned above, the Middle East is one of the high-paying places, with most of its regions being salary tax-free. But, aside from the excellent compensation, the Middle East can also serve as a good training ground for entrance nurses to practice their profession. Consequently, it is an excellent way to learn and grow in this field because of the great advantages of working in the Middle East.

Benefits of Working in the Middle East per Region

The advantages of working as a nurse in the Middle East depend on what region you work in. Each region offers different benefits to its nurses and depends upon their qualifications, skills, experience, and specialty.

Bahrain

More than half of Bahrain’s population consists of non-nationals who commend the country as a great place to live and work. Additionally, the Kingdom of Bahrain aims to employ quality nurses and healthcare workers to provide high-quality healthcare and boost the country’s healthcare workforce.

Nurses who wish to work in Bahrain may find the application process intricate. However, the hard work is worthwhile once that is set and done. Moreover, it’s good to remember that the Bahrain pays their nurses depending on their experience, education degree, and job title. Along with attractive benefits such as free accommodation, paid annual leaves, sick leaves, medical care, etc.

Dubai

A renowned city for its world-class tourism and destinations, Dubai has long established its competitiveness worldwide. Therefore, healthcare professionals applying for work in Dubai are in for a great opportunity, as the city is an excellent place to work and live. Additionally, Dubai’s primary language, English, allows foreign nurses to fit in seamlessly among their work environment and the city’s locals.

Nurses in Dubai have stricter conditions. Dubai is a Muslim city, and nurses must oblige to the city’s customs and culture. But despite the stricter rules, benefits and compensation in Dubai are some things to look forward to. For example, Dubai’s income is tax-free, meaning workers from developing countries may earn more than average compared to their home country.

Lastly, part of their benefits also includes healthcare for everyone. In addition, nurses are provided and required to live in accommodations by their hiring hospitals.

Abu Dhabi

The capital of UAE, Abu Dhabi, has steadily been growing and developing. Opening numerous work opportunities and parading its countless tourist spots, Abu Dhabi has been a hotspot for foreign workers and tourists alike. Besides the numerous employment offers, working hours in Abu Dhabi are convenient enough, with maximum work hours of 8 a day.

Similar to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, being part of the UAE, also is income tax-free. Nurses who aspire to work there relatively have higher pay, almost comparable to those in Australia. However, it is important to remember that the cost of living in Abu Dhabi depends on the location. The benefits usually include accommodation, health insurance, and transport allowances.

Oman

Boasting free healthcare for all its citizens, Oman has long since established their constant need for nurses. The country’s cost of living is generally cheaper compared to other Middle East countries like Qatar and the UAE. Additionally, nurses working in Oman laud the country for its people, work environment, and infrastructure.

Nurses in Oman typically average about 1,710 OMR per month, 1,100 OMR being the lowest, and 3,290 OMR as the highest salary. Note that these are all depending on what the nurse specializes in. In addition, income there is tax-free, and nurses are also provided their health insurance, leaves, and travel flight to and fro from Oman as part of their benefits.

Qatar

With an impressive employment rate, Qatar attests to being one of the most competitive nations in the Middle East. In addition, Qatar expects to invest in its healthcare in the coming years significantly. Hence, it’s a great opportunity to consider healthcare-related work there. Moreover, working and living in the emirate is more liberal than in other Islamic nations. 

Depending on the specialization of a nurse, their salary generally ranges between 4,000 QAR to 10,000 QAR. Their benefits include accommodation and transport allowances. Moreover, other benefits the employer grants are annual leaves, air tickets, and other allowances. The best part is, the salary there is tax-free as well. Therefore, there is plenty of room for career growth in Qatar to gain much experience in the field and boost one’s career.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is globally known for its rich and diverse culture, people, and local and international businesses gathered together, boosting the nation’s economy. Along with this, employment opportunities in the country are ever-present. Healthcare professionals are especially encouraged to look to the country for jobs relating to their professions. 

Similar to other Middle East countries, salaries are significantly higher by 10-20% compared to western countries and are exempt from taxes. Plus, there are also no monthly deductions, and accommodations near the facility are also provided by employers. 

The Bottom Line

The Middle East has consistently developed its economy through its rich employment opportunities, especially in the healthcare sector. As a result, the region will continue to thrive and tremendously grow in the coming years.

The attractive advantages of working as a nurse in the Middle East makes the nurses worldwide flock to the region. In addition, cost-of-living in the Middle East is cheaper than average, allowing them to enjoy their income without spending too much on their day-to-day necessities.

Planning and processing the necessary documents to go and practice nursing abroad can be a hassle. With little to no help, it could be a challenging job, and one might encounter unwanted problems along the way. Fortunately, some people can expertly help one with such an endeavor. 

Our team is dedicated to assisting you in your exam application needs. IPASS Processing is here to help aspiring nurses process Middle East licensure exam applications. Moreover, we also provide exam application assistance for the US and Australia. IPASS aims for every nurse who wishes to practice their profession abroad to get a hassle-free application process so they may dedicate their time reviewing their exam. 

Disclaimer: IPASS Processing is not a recruitment agency. We do not hire or deploy medical professionals abroad. IPASS Processing is a processing agency that provides license exam application assistance in the United States, the Middle East, and Australia.