The United Arab Emirates has expanded its "golden" visa system to allow more professionals, specialized degree-holders and others to live in the country for a 10-year period, its vice president says.
Dubai ruler sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the extension was part of the UAE's program to keep "talented people and great minds" in the country.
Foreign nationals in the UAE are usually granted renewable visas valid for a few years only and connected to employment. The government has revised its visa laws to be more flexible, offering longer-term residencies for certain types of professionals, students and business owners.
Last May, around 212 medical professionals treating coronavirus patients were given a 10-year Gold Card Residency visa as a gesture by the Emirati government for their hard work.
More than 400 investors, including some family members, had already been granted the visa, with many more receiving it each day.
The Golden visa will also be granted to holders of specialized degrees in artificial intelligence, engineers in the fields of electronics, computer engineering and software programming, biotechnology and electricity. The changes will take effect Dec. 1.
"This is the first batch and it'll be followed by other categories. We want talented people and great minds to stay in the UAE and join us in the process of development and achievements," India TV quoted sheikh Mohammed as saying in a tweet.
Dubai in September announced it would issue visas that can be renewed every five years to wealthy foreign retirees. An oil and gas producer, the Emirates' economy has been heavily affected by the world health crisis and falling prices of crude - prompting many expatriates to leave.
Foreigners account for 90% of the UAE population of some 10 million in the oil-rich country, the Arab world's second-biggest economy.
