Picture this: living in the UAE, a hub for culture, art, the crème de la crème of restaurants, luxury shopping, hotels, great weather – the list goes on. Who wouldn’t want that?
In recent years, the UAE has made it its mission to attract new individuals to make the country their home with a wealth of different visa options, including the highly coveted UAE Golden Visa.
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The initiative was first introduced by the government in 2019. The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa with various exclusive benefits such as an entry visa, long-term renewable residence and the ability to sponsor family and domestic helpers. It’s a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five years or 10 years, allowing many expats to make the UAE home on a much more permanent basis.
Who is eligible for it?
So, who exactly is eligible for the UAE Golden Visa? The visa is aimed to attract “foreign talents to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits”. This includes investors, business owners, individuals with unique talents, researchers in many sectors of science and knowledge, and students with promising scientific aptitude.
Senior Emiratis or government organisations may nominate individuals for the UAE Golden Visa and in other cases. Eligible talent must be submitted via an online application.
which celebrities have it?
The government program has since been expanded to target the cultural contributions provided by creatives, such as musicians, actors and songwriters. Since its launch in 2019, a number of celebrities have been awarded the UAE Golden Visa.
1. Ola Farahat
Ola Farahat, Palestinian-Canadian influencer and entrepreneur, received the visa in March 2022.
2. Ragheb Alama
Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama received the visa in February 2022. Alama’s sons Louai and Khaled are long-term residents of Dubai.
3. Christian Ronaldo
Football mogul Cristiano Ronaldo received his golden visa in February 2020. Ronaldo currently resides in Riyadh as he plays for the Al-Nassr team, but also visits Dubai often, and is known to be friends with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
4. Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan was the first Bollywood celebrity to receive the visa and even owns a villa on the Palm.
5. Mohammed Ramadan
Egyptian rapper and actor received his visa in September 2020 and has shot two videos for his singles in Dubai.
6. Chef Izu Ani
Dubai Chef Izu Ani, the brainchild of Gaia Restaurant, received his golden visa in April 2021.
7. Elissa
Lebanese pop star Elissa received her visa in October 2022.
8. Reif Othman
Reif Othman, restaurant owner of the famed ‘Reif Kushiyaki’ and chef, received his visa in June 2021.
9. Mai Omar
Egyptian Actress Mai Omar received her golden visa in August 2021.
10. Nadine Nassib Njeim
Lebanese actress Nadine Njeim received the visa in May 2021.
11. Nelly Karim
Egyptian actress Nelly Karim was granted the visa in 2021 and visits Dubai often.
12. Karen Wazen
Karen Wazen, Lebanese fashion influencer, entrepreneur and mother of three received her golden visa in May 2021.
13. Annabella Hilal
Annabella Hilal, the winner of Miss Lebanon in 2004 and now TV Presenter, was given the visa in October 2021.
14. Giorgio Armani
The iconic fashion designer, who opened the luxurious Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa in 2011, was awarded the visa in October 2021.
15. Najwa Karam
The ultimate birthday gift. Pop star Najwa Karam received the visa on her 55th birthday in February 2021.
We wonder which lucky celebs are next on the list to receive the Golden Visa…
