UAE grants Gold Card visas to two more Indian tycoons

The government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) awarded 10-year Gold Card visas to two more Indian business tycoons on Monday – Lalo Samuel, the chairman of the Kingston Group, and Dr PA Ibrahim Haji, co-chairman of jewellery company Malabar Group and chairman of PACE Group. 

Lalo Samuel, Chairman of the Kingston Group. Photo courtesy: Kingston Group
Lalo Samuel, Chairman of the Kingston Group. Photo courtesy: Kingston Group

Samuel, who is the first expat from Sharjah to receive the gold card permanent residency, was handed his visa by Brigadier Arif Al Shamsi, Director-General of residency and foreigners affairs in Sharjah. 

The Kingston Holdings is one of the largest manufacturing companies in the Middle East comprising of several manufacturing units that process plastic and metal.

Kerala-born Dr Haji received his 10-year visa yesterday from Lieutenant Colonel Omar Matar Khamis Al Mezaina, Director of Establishment Department, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai. 

Dr PA Ibrahim Haji, co-chairman of jewellery company Malabar Group and chairman of PACE Group. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia
Dr PA Ibrahim Haji, co-chairman of jewellery company Malabar Group and chairman of PACE Group. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

“Granting the 10-year visa is a great initiative by the Government of UAE. This is yet another visionary move by the leaders to make this country an investor-friendly nation,” said Haji. 

Also read: More wealthy NRIs may be tempted by UAE gold

Three Indians have received their permanent residency under the Golden Card scheme including Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director of Lulu Group, Firoz Merchant, self-made millionaire and founder of jewellery business Pure Gold, and Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and managing director of VPS Healthcare.

In addition to this, several Indian businessman have been issued long-term visas by the UAE since the launch of the Gold Card Scheme, including: 

  1. Vijay Samyani, Chairman of retail giant Concept Brands Group
  2. Dhananjay Datar, Chairman and Managing Director of spice company Al Adil
  3. Dr Azad Moopen, Founder-Chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare
  4. BR Shetty, Founder and Chairman of NMC Healthcare
  5. Dr Ram Buxani, Chairman of ITL Cosmos Group
  6. Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group
  7. Vasudev Shroff, Chairman of the Regal Group
  8. Khushi Khatwani, Head of the Khushi Group of Companies