Indian businessman Anoop Moopen receives UAE ‘gold card’ visa

Indian businessman Anoop Moopen has become the latest expat in the UAE to be granted the gold card permanent residency visa.

Moopen, the chairman and managing director of AZTEC Group and director of Aster DM Healthcare was awarded the 10-year long term visa along with his wife Ziham Moopen and their two children.

“It is an honour to receive this residency status as an appreciation for my efforts towards the development of the real estate and healthcare sector in the region,” he said.

The UAE launched the permanent residency scheme for expatriates in May this year.

Read: UAE has issued gold-card residency visas to 400 expats so far

Permanent residency will be granted to “exceptional” professionals, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the country’s Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai said at the time.

“We launched a new “Golden Card” system to grant permanent residency to investors and exceptional doctors, engineers, scientists and artists,” he said.

The first batch of 6,800 recipients includes expats who have made total investments of over Dhs100bn.

Indian businessman M.A Yussufali, the chairman and director Lulu Group, became the first expat in the UAE to receive the gold card permanent residency in June.

Read: Indian businessman becomes first expat to get UAE gold card residency

Gold card holders are granted a 10-year residency visa covering them and and their families (spouse and children) without the need for a sponsor, which will be automatically renewed provided all the conditions are met.

They can freely move in and out of the country and investors can also employ three workers and obtain residence for a senior employee, advisor or manager.

Read: UAE unveils ‘golden card’ permanent residency scheme for expats