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UAE: Another Indian expat joins Golden Visa club

Dubai - "I considered Dubai as my home and it will always be my home."

Saad Maniar, a well-known name in the field of accounting and finance, has joined the lucky club of those who have secured the UAE's coveted Golden Visa for serving the country in their specialised categories.

Maniar, an Indian national serving as a senior partner at Crowe UAE, received the 10-year residence visa on Thursday.

He had initially believed that the Golden Visa was only granted to high-net-worth individuals or highly specialised professionals, such as doctors. However, he was "delighted" when he heard he had been selected for the honour.

"I got a call from the Ministry of Economy saying that they have selected me for the golden visa and they asked me to submit few details. After submission of these details, within a couple of months, I got my Golden Visa," a jubilant Maniar told Khaleej Times on Friday.

"I am feeling so happy that my dedication, commitment and contribution has been recognised by the UAE government."

After qualifying as a chartered accountant from the United Kingdom, Maniar came to Dubai 20 years ago as an auditor for Crowe UAE. He is now a senior partner and a member of the board, leading the financial services audit and consulting practice for Crowe in DIFC.

He is also the chairman of the members advisory committee of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UAE and is an elected member on the board of the Dubai Quality Group.

"I am thankful to Dr Khalid, our founder and chairman of Crowe UAE, for showing trust in me and giving me this opportunity to establish my career and set up my family in the UAE," Maniar said.

Maniar said the UAE has given meaning to his life as his kids were born and brought up here.

"I considered Dubai as my home and it will always be my home. This 10-year visa has given me more stability and meaning to build a long-term career here in the UAE, even for my kids. I don’t know what my kids will end up doing, but given a choice I would like my kids to build their career here in this beautiful nation," Maniar said.

"I'm one of the few privileged professionals to get this Golden Visa by invitation in the accounting and finance field," he said.

In his message to the UAE leaders and the government, Maniar said visa reforms are among those key policy matters that will pave the way for the country's long-term sustainable economic progress.

"My commitment to the UAE has been further strengthened and I will give my best to contribute positively towards the growth and development of this beautiful nation. I genuinely thank the UAE leadership for their trust in me and wish them success in their vision 2040."

The long-term Golden Visa is granted to talented and experienced professionals in the fields of arts, creative industries, economy, accounting and finance, literature and culture, heritage history and cognitive studies, among others. It enables foreigners to live, work and study in the emirate without the need for a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their businesses on the UAE's mainland.