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Indian Healthcare Workers Face Visa Crisis in UAE

Monday, June 8, 2026
5 min read
Indian Healthcare Workers Face Visa Crisis in UAE

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He asked for urgent help. It’s about Indian healthcare workers, mostly Malayalis, stuck in the United Arab Emirates. They are having serious visa problems.

This whole situation is tied to the closure of the Iranian Hospital in Dubai. Healthcare workers are just waiting, completely in limbo.

It all started because a group of nurses and staff filed a grievance petition. They laid out how much trouble they’ve faced since losing their jobs there. They are asking the authorities to sort out what they see as strange visa restrictions. These restrictions keep them from finding new jobs. Keeping them from staying.

They insist they followed all the UAE laws while they were there. They spent years serving the healthcare system in the UAE.

And it wasn't just about the jobs. There's a deeper layer of hardship.

These workers pointed out their role during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were on the front lines. Caring for patients during one of the toughest times the region saw in healthcare history.

Families are facing huge emotional and financial strain. Hundreds of families are affected.

Some of these professionals have children in schools in the UAE. Others have spouses and dependents living there too. They are living under a grace period now. But the fear is real. They worry they might be forced to leave soon if they can’t get new visas.

Some who have already left the UAE are even more worried. They fear long-term restrictions. It could mess up their careers. Their professional licenses. Everything about future work in the Gulf.

The petition basically said this: “We spent years building our lives here. Serving the system. Now we face uncertainty. And there’s no proof of any wrongdoing on our part.”

That’s why the Chief Minister stepped in. Satheesan wrote to PM Modi. He asked for intervention through diplomatic channels.

He described the situation as “extremely distressing.” He stressed how much these workers contributed to the UAE healthcare system. Especially during the pandemic.

“These professionals served with dedication and distinction,” he wrote. “They stood on the frontlines of healthcare delivery during COVID-19.”

The CM noted that families are now struggling financially and facing this uncertainty after the hospital closed and these visa issues popped up.

He pushed for action. He asked the Ministry of External Affairs to look into it. Engage with the Indian Embassy in the UAE. Talk to the Emirati authorities. He wanted a fair resolution.

He emphasized the human side of this. A lot of affected workers are running out of their grace period. They risk being forced out of the country.

Ultimately, he requested support. Support for these Indian healthcare professionals. Help them secure new visas. Help them find ways to keep their livelihoods in the UAE. It felt like a desperate plea for basic security.

Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board

Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.

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