69 cultural Golden visas issued in Dubai

KT file photo

Dubai - Dubai is willing to issue more visas to attract more talents, she added, as “the government of Dubai wants to make the emirate a destination for cultural talents from all around the world”.

By Hesham Salah

Published: Thu 4 Feb 2021, 11:42 PM

Sixty-nine artists and intellectuals in Dubai were granted UAE Golden Visas in 2020 after earning nominations from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, top officials revealed on Thursday. Since the UAE Government introduced the 10-year culture visas for artists in October 2019, requests came pouring in, said Hala Badri, director-general of Dubai Culture. From these requests, however, only 124 were eligible.

So far, 69 had been approved by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, while the other 59 are still being examined, Badri explained during a discussion held on Thursday at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

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Dubai is willing to issue more visas to attract more talents, she added, as “the government of Dubai wants to make the emirate a destination for cultural talents from all around the world”. However, she stressed that those who wish to apply for the visa must be residents of the UAE, among other conditions and standards.

Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director-general of the GDRFA Dubai — who was also at the LitFest event — clarified that they are responsible only for issuing the visa, and not selecting nominees.

“The directorate might need some clarifications from the authority that nominated the person, however, we only issue the visas,” Maj-Gen Al Marri said.

The GDRFA chief believes that through such residency initiatives, “the UAE will attract the best global talents, which will help the country achieve its sustainability and development goals”.

hesham@khaleejtimes.com