UAE extends 10-year Golden Visa system to more professions

The United Arab Emirates on Sunday announced that it is extending its 10-year residency “Golden Visa” system to certain professionals and specialised degree-holders.

Today, we approved granting the 10-year Golden Visa to all PhD holders in the UAE. Also, the Golden Visa will be granted to top graduates from UAE-accredited universities with a GPA of 3.8 and above.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 15, 2020

UAE Vice-President and the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said that all holders of doctorate degrees, medical doctors as well as computer, electronics, programming, electrical and biotechnology engineers are now eligible for the visa which permits 10-year residency.  

UAE Golden Visa will also include UAE-based physicians as well as engineers in the fields of computer science, electronics, programming, electricity and biotechnology.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 15, 2020

Additionally, those with specialised degrees in artificial intelligence, big data and epidemiology will also be eligible. 

Other categories granted UAE Golden Residency are specialists in AI, big data, virology, epidemiology & UAE’s high school top graduates and their families. We are keen to embrace talent that drives future development and this is only the beginning.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 15, 2020

The new system will also apply to high school students living in the UAE who achieve top rank in the country, and students from certain universities with a Grade Point Average of 3.8 or higher.

The long term visa plan was started by the UAE in 2019 and gave 5 to 10 year visas to certain foreign investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives and scientists.