Golden Visa for docs, virus experts & more

dubai — The UAE will be granting the 10-year Golden Residency Visa to PhD degree holders, doctors, engineers and people from various scientific disciplines.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday took to Twitter and announced that he has approved the issuing of 10-year Golden Residency Visa for professionals from a wide range of categories.

The expansion of the scope of the Golden Visa will come into effect from December 1, 2020, and eligible candidates can apply.

As per the new decision, engineers in the fields of computers, electronics, programming, electrical and biotechnology, as well as graduates from UAE-accredited universities who scored Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.8 and above are also eligible.

“The Golden Visa will also be provided to people who hold degrees specialised in Artificial Intelligence, big data and Viral epidemiology,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

“We want talented people and great minds to stay in the UAE and join us in the process of development and achievements,” he said.

UAE high school top graduates and their families can also apply for the Golden Visa.

The 10-year residency visa is aimed at attracting and retaining the brightest minds and drive the UAE’s knowledge economy through innovation, creativity and applied research.

Expats in the UAE usually get residency permits that are for one or two years, and they are linked to their job contract.

The UAE had in the recent years issued a slew of new flexible residency and immigration rules that are beneficial to expats and their families.

The country announced the long-term visa plans in 2018 and by 2019 many residents who are investors, doctors and scientists had been granted the Golden Visa status.

Most recently, the UAE announced sweeping reforms to its civil legal code by allowing expats to follow their country’s laws in matters of divorce and inheritance.

These expat-friendly reforms are expected to make UAE one of the most sought-after destinations in the world to live, work and retire.