UAE to issue golden visas for front frontline workers and families

The UAE will issue Golden Visas to eligible frontline workers in the country, along with their families.

It follows a directive issued by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday.

Additionally, the long-term visas will also be granted to families of fallen frontline heroes in recognition of their services to the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UAE has previously adopted several measures to recognise and incentivise the efforts of frontline workers in the country.

In July 2020, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had issued a federal decree to establish a Frontline Heroes Office (FHO), chaired by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Read: UAE establishes new office to recognise and support country’s frontline workers

According to the FHO, those who qualify as frontline workers include those working in healthcare facilities as well as on prevention and protection activities. At healthcare facilities, those who qualify include staff involved in the frontline response against Covid-19 pandemic including doctors, nurses, allied healthcare professionals (lab technicians, respiratory therapists, radiographers), housekeeping, cleaning, waste disposal and other exposed staff (e.g. porters, security, catering, administrative, pharmacists) as well as fallen frontline heroes (deceased workers).

The prevention and protection personnel eligible include crisis management employees involved, security and emergency services employees involved, humanitarian entities and volunteers as well as sterilisation employees involved in frontline operations.

Among the many incentives announced by the office since its formation include an initiative in January this year to provide expanded medical insurance coverage to the nation’s underprivileged frontline heroes and their immediate families.

The “Frontline Heroes Insurance Top-Up Programme” was developed in partnership with the National Health Insurance Company (Daman), with funding received by the Frontline Heroes Office.

Read also: UAE’s frontline workers eligible for upgraded medical insurance

In other incentives, Etihad Airways last year partnered with the Frontline Heroes Office to offer flight discounts, preferential check-in and special holiday packages to those registered with the FHO. Frontline professionals were offered a 15 per cent discount on Etihad Airways flights.

Read more: Etihad offers frontline workers in UAE discounts on flights, free excess baggage