In a further boost to foreigners, the limit of stay regarding the Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi has been extended to a duration of 10 years for all categories, as per authorities in the emirate. Previously, it had a validity of five years. The Golden Visa typically provides a variety of residency choices for professionals and researchers in the fields of science and knowledge such as doctors, specialists, scientists and inventors.
Those in possession of the golden visa also have the privilege of bringing their spouses, children and parents regardless of age. And with the expansion of some chief categories and sub-categories those aspiring to lead an excellent lifestyle in the UAE will have lots of options to choose from. The widening of the ambit was on the basis of recommendations from the appropriate offices such as the Abu Dhabi Office for Residents.
The UAE government’s intention to bring in the Golden Residency initiative was to allow long-term residency options to foreigners so that they can stay in the country without depending upon a sponsor. The capital city of the UAE, Abu Dhabi has several lucrative sectors such as real estate, travel and tourism, healthcare and financial services and most importantly, offers the utmost ease for doing business in the emirates.
As for Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the business capital had given 32,467 more long-term residency visas in 2022 than in the previous year, taking the total to 79,617 in 2022, up from 47,150 in 2021. This was an increase of almost 70 percent from the previous year and it proves that interest in the Golden Visa scheme has been increasing over time.
The family members of Golden Visa holders can also stay in the country as long as their visa is valid. They don’t have to exit the country in the event of the demise of the primary visa holders. The other advantage of the visa is that even if the visa holder does not stay in the UAE for over 6 months the residency permit will not lapse.
