Joining the growing list of Indian businessmen to be awarded the long-term residency visa by the United Arab Emirates is Indian billionaire Dhananjay Datar. The business tycoon, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of spice company Al Adil, received the visa on Sunday from the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
“I am extremely grateful for this recognition. My life changed for the better here in the UAE. This country has given me more than I imagined and the visa is like an icing on the cake,” said an elated Dhananjay Datar after receiving his visa.
Datar’s company trades in Indian spices, dealing in over 9,000 products. It recorded an annual turnover of AED750 million at the end of 2018.
The UAE decided in 2018 to give 5 and 10 year visas to investors, entrepreneurs, specialists in the medical, scientific, research and technical fields, and ‘outstanding’ students. The aim of the scheme is to facilitate business and create an attractive investment environment in the country.
Also read: More wealthy NRIs may be tempted by UAE gold
Some prominent Indian businessmen to received their 10-year residency visas in the UAE include:
- Dr Azad Moopen, Founder-Chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare
- BR Shetty, Founder and Chairman of NMC Healthcare
- Dr Ram Buxani, Chairman, ITL Cosmos Group
- Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group
- Vasudev Shroff, Chairman of the Regal Group
- Khushi Khatwani, Head of the Khushi Group of Companies
Also read: Indian billionaire gets UAE’s first Golden Card
In May 2019, the UAE also launched the Golden Card Scheme, which gives permanent residency to expatriates. Indian businessman MA Yusuf Ali, the Chairman and Director of Lulu Group, became the first expat in the UAE to receive the gold card permanent residency earlier this month.