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UAE Golden Visa for 1,000 people: Are you eligible?

Dubai - The initiative was launched in a bid to position the fast-developing emirate as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a hub for talent.

Dubai has announced it will grant cultural visas to 1,000 creators and artists from across the world. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, as part of the first-of-its-kind cultural visa initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2019.

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Since the visa was first announced, Dubai Culture received 261 cultural visa applications from individuals hailing from 46 nations. A total of 120 applicants have met the required and optional criteria. A majority of these applicants have been issued visas as well, while the remaining are currently under process. The initiative was launched in a bid to position the fast-developing emirate as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a hub for talent.

The long-term cultural visa is granted for 10 years to accomplished creative talent in the fields of literature, culture, fine arts, performing arts, and design, as well as those in the heritage, history and knowledge-related sectors as well as intellectual and creative industries.

Applications are accepted if they meet terms and conditions and key criteria related to years of residency in the country, record of knowledge-related and creative achievements, and willingness to meet optional conditions and pledges for each category, including a pledge to contribute 36 hours of service to the community in the UAE in creative or artistic capacities, among others. This will allow the visa holders to automatically renew their visas without an Emirati sponsor.

Are you eligible?

Applications are accepted if they meet terms and conditions and key criteria.

>> PhD degree holders: Professionals holding PhD degree from one of the top 500 universities in the world will be awarded the Golden Visa

>> Doctors: Doctors specialising in viral epidemiology will be awarded the Golden Visa

>> Engineers: All engineers in the fields of computers, electronics, programing, electricals, electronics, active technology, AI and Big Data are eligible

>> Highly qualified individuals: Those who have achieved high scores of 3.8 or more from approved universities

>> Researchers/Scientists: Those who are specialist in their respective fields

>> Inventors: Those who have obtained a patent of value, which adds to the UAE’s economy

>> Artists: Creative individuals in the field of culture and art will be awarded with the golden visa

>> Investors: Foreigners who have invested Dh10 million or above can apply for the golden visa