On November 15, 2020 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) extended the eligibility of the ‘golden visa’ system, which grants a 10-year residency permit, to attract and retain experts and talented professionals from various fields and scientific disciplines. The decision was approved by the UAE cabinet and changes will take place from December 1, 2020.
The new Golden Residency category expands the programme to further encourage innovation, creativity and applied research, adding to the appeal of a career in the Emirates for the world’s brightest minds in the post Covid-19 scenario.
The 10-year Golden Visa has now been approved for:
- all PhD holders in the UAE;
- top graduates from UAE-accredited universities with a GPA of 3.8 and above;
- physicians as well as engineers (UAE-based) in the fields of electronics, computer science, electricity, electronics, programming, and biotechnology;
- specialists in artificial intelligence, big data, virology, epidemiology;
- high school toppers and their families living in UAE.
As per the earlier rules, a 10-year visa was granted to persons with specialised talents, including researchers in the fields of science and technology, and education, such as doctors, specialists, scientists, investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives, as well as creative individuals in the field of culture and art. All categories are required to have a valid employment contract in a specialised field of a priority in the UAE.
After first announcing a long-term visa plan in 2018, the UAE in 2019 started granting 5- and 10-year renewable visas to certain foreign investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives, scientists, and outstanding students.
Dubai, a Middle East trade and tourism hub, in September, 2020 decided to grant visas renewable every five years to wealthy foreign retirees.