If you are a nursing student or nursing graduate and you plan to work in the Persian Gulf countries for your future career, don’t miss this article. There are indeed many attractive job opportunities for nurses in the Persian Gulf countries, but this path is not enough for you just by having a nursing degree.
In addition to your nursing degree, you need to take a few important steps to easily enter the job market in the Persian Gulf countries.
Don’t worry, we will explain these steps step by step in this guide, from educational requirements to work permits, so stay with us until the end of this article.
Your path as a nurse who intends to work in the Gulf countries consists of three important steps:
- Education and Experience Requirements
- Document Verification and Administrative Procedures
- Work Permit and Exams
We will examine each of these steps below.
Education & Clinical Experience Requirements for Nurses in Persian Gulf Countries
Education
The required qualification for nurses seeking work in the Gulf countries is usually a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or its equivalent from an accredited institution. It is worth noting that you must have completed a bachelor’s degree in person for at least 3 years.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experience shows how skilled you are at dealing with emergencies, which is why most employers look for nurses with at least two years of clinical experience.
It is worth noting that work experience in environments such as the ICU, emergency room, and pediatrics can be a great advantage for you, but if you are a new nurse, don’t worry. You can start your career in positions that require less clinical experience.
Document Verification, Attestation & Administrative Steps for Gulf Nursing Licensure
Another important step you need to take on this path is the verification of your documents as a nurse. In other words, your educational qualifications, nursing license in your country of origin, work experience, and certificate of completion of your course must be stamped and approved by the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs of your country of origin, as well as the embassy of your destination country. Given the time-consuming nature of this step, it is best to act as soon as possible.
Licensing Exams & Work Permit Process for Nurses in the Persian Gulf Region
Given that each country in the Persian Gulf has a specific authority for issuing licenses for nurses and a specific exam for it.
In the table below, we have compiled the licensing centers and exams related to nursing licenses for you so that you can prepare yourself for the exam according to the target country.
| country | Nursing Licensing Authority | License test |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
HAAD |
DHA test (Prometric) |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) | SNLE |
| Qatar | Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) | Prometric Exam for Nurses |
| Oman | MOH Oman | Oman Nursing Licensing Exam |
| Kuwait | MOH Kuwait | Nursing Licensing Exam |
| Bahrain | NHRA | NHRA Nursing Exam |
Language, Professional Skills & Certifications Needed for Persian Gulf Nursing Jobs
Let’s face it, when you are an international nurse applying for a job in the Persian Gulf countries, you cannot ignore English language skills because the working language of all hospitals in the Persian Gulf region is English. It is worth noting that some employers may also ask you for a valid language certificate, such as IELTS, especially if you are applying for a job in the UAE.
There is no requirement regarding Arabic, although knowing basic Arabic will be a great advantage for you to communicate with patients and other colleagues.
In addition to language skills, you will also need a series of other certificates, which we have prepared for you in the table below.
| Skills | Description |
| Â English proficiency | In international hospitals in the Persian Gulf, the working language is English, so having sufficient English skills is essential. |
| Arabic basic skills | It is not required, but knowing Arabic can help you communicate with patients and colleagues. |
| CPR and support certificates (BLS, ACLS/PALS certificates) | This skill is essential for many positions because it shows your readiness for critical situations. |
| Clinical skills, team communication, adaptation to a multicultural environment | The ability to work with patients, provide care, maintain patient safety, communicate effectively with a multicultural and multinational healthcare team, and adapt to new environmental conditions is critical to success. |
Salary, Benefits & Compensation Packages for Nurses in Persian Gulf Countries
One of the main attractions that has made the Persian Gulf countries a suitable destination for international nurses is the tax-free salaries of nurses, which, of course, has been implemented in many Gulf countries.
Regarding the salary received, it is also important to note that it depends on the type of hospital/work experience and the individual’s specialization.
In addition to the above, it is important to note that the salaries of nurses in the Persian Gulf countries are often accompanied by benefits and allowances such as: housing or housing allowance, annual ticket to the country of origin, health insurance, transportation, etc.
Below we have prepared a table for you for the year 2025 with the approximate monthly salaries of nurses in the Persian Gulf countries. It should be noted that the values ​​mentioned are approximate and average.
| country | Monthly salary |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Around AED5,000 to AED12,000+ per month |
| Saudi Arabia | Around SAR6,000 to SAR10,000+ per month |
| Qatar | Around QAR8,000 to QAR11,000+ per month. |
 Note: Nurses’ salaries are typically tax-exempt, and the contract usually outlines a range of additional benefits, including housing, insurance, and round-trip tickets, in addition to the salary.
Final remarks
- Apply for verification of your documents very early because if you apply for verification of your documents late, you may miss the opportunity to register for the exam in the meantime.
- Be careful about the type of certificate requested by the destination country. Arab countries generally do not recognize online course certificates and reject them.
- Having work experience and a license to work in your country of origin is an advantage, but note that to work in your destination country, you must take local exams.
- When signing an employment contract, please review it carefully.
- Never underestimate English language skills.
conclusion
If you are an international nurse looking for work in the Gulf countries, your path is clear: all you need to do is have a valid certificate of at least 3 years of in-person nursing training that is approved by the destination country. Along with that, gain work experience, improve your English language skills, and prepare yourself for the licensing exam. By observing all these things, you can find a good job position in Arab countries. In addition to all this, we at Course in Use are with you to make this path easier for you