UAE expands eligibility for golden residency visas – new categories revealed

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the decision to expand the categories of eligible individuals for the 10-year, golden residency visa.

The new categories now include: PhD holders, doctors, engineers in the fields of computer engineering, electronics, programming, electricity and biotechnology as well as graduates from accredited universities with a GPA of 3.8 or more.

The changes will take place December 1, 2020 onwards, official news agency WAM reported.

.@HHShkMohd:Today we approved the granting of the 10-year golden visa to all PhD holders, all doctors, engineers in the fields of computer engineering, electronics, programming, electricity and biotechnology, as well as graduates from accredited universities who score 3.8 & above

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 15, 2020

Golden residency will also be granted to holders of specialised degrees in artificial intelligence, big data, or epidemiology and viruses. Outstanding high school students and their families will be potential recipients too.

.@HHShkMohd: The golden visa will also be granted to holders of specialised degrees in AI, big data, or epidemiology and viruses, as well as outstanding high school students in the country and their families. This is the first batch of granted visas that will be followed by more.

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 15, 2020

In May this year, Sheikh Mohammed had decided to award 10-year Gold Card residency visas to doctors of the Dubai Health Authority who were providing direct medical services to Covid-19 patients.

Read: Sheikh Mohammed grants 10-year Gold Card visas to Dubai doctors battling Covid-19

The UAE launched a permanent residency scheme for expatriates in 2019.

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

The UAE’s move also comes soon after Saudi Arabia implemented a ‘green card’-style residency scheme for expats.