UAE announces long-term residency Golden Visa for imams, religious scholars

Dubai News

In accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has announced a decision to grant long term golden residency visa to Imams, Muezzins, Muftis, Muslim preachers, scholars and researchers who have served in Dubai for more than two decades.

Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed issued the decision to extend the eligible candidates for the decade-long residency permit, Dubai News learned from the announcement by the government-run Dubai Media Office.

The latest inclusion covers preachers, muezzins – the individual who proclaims the call to prayer, and muftis – Islamic jurists, in addition to mosque imams and religious researchers. The eligible individuals must have completed a minimum of 20 years of stay in their positions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Dubai Crown Prince also announced a “financial award” of an unknown amount to mark the Islamic occasion.

The UAE’s Golden Visa programme is a highly sought-after long-term residence visa that is designed to attract and retain foreign talents within the country, granting people the opportunity to live, work, or study in the country.

It grants long-term residency for a period of either five or ten years, offering visa holders the autonomy to reside in the country without the need for a sponsor, the ability to work outside the UAE for extended periods of time without compromising the validity of their visa status, and the capability to sponsor family members.

Previously, it was limited to investors in the public sector and real estate tycoons, businessmen, entrepreneurs, outstanding specialized talents, inventors, doctors, scientists, and creatives in the field of art and culture, although, three years later, the program has been expanded to cover more professions and businesspersons.

UAE’s Golden Visa is a popular visa option that aims to attract and retain foreign professionals in the country.