UAE opens Golden Visa residency to more workers

The Golden Visa has now been extended to scientists, researchers, senior scholars and clerics, elite specialists in industry and fourth industrial revolution, elite specialists in health fields, elite specialists in education and for skilled professionals.

Below are requirements for each category, as published on the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) website:

For scientists and researchers:

• Hold a Master’s or PhD degree in Engineering, Technology, Life Sciences and Natural Sciences as classified by the Ministry of Education.
• A PhD from one of the top 500 universities in the world, or a Master’s from one of the top 250 universities in the world. Alternatively, either a Master’s or PhD from one of the top 100 universities specialized in the field of the study.
• A Field Weighted Citation Index (FWCI) grade of 1.0.
• An H-index grade of 10 or higher.

Or

• A Scopus H-index grade > 20.

Or

• Achievements in establishing research and development sectors inside and outside the UAE, based on the recommendation by the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology.

For senior scholars and clerics:

• A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Culture & Youth or a competent local authority.

For elite specialists in industry and fourth industrial revolution:

• A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology or a competent local authority.

For elite specialists in health fields:

• A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Health or Abu Dhabi Department of Health.
• A valid license to operate in the UAE.

For elite specialists in education:

• A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education or Abu Dhabi Department of Education & Knowledge.
• A valid license to operate in the UAE.

For skilled professionals:

• Must be employed in the UAE.
• Hold a role classified by MOHRE’s occupational classification scheme as follows:
  • Level 1 Classification – Managers & Business Executives.
  • Level 2 Classification – Professionals in the fields of Sciences, Engineering, Health, Education, Business and Management, Information Technology, Law, Sociology, and Culture.
• Minimum educational level of bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Minimum monthly salary of AED 30, 000 or equivalent.
• Hold a valid Practicing License in the UAE if required (such as Physician, Pharmacist, Teacher etc.).

The benefits of the long-term visas will extend to immediate family members. Children can be sponsored by the Golden Visa or Green Residence visa holder until the age of 25 – an increase from the previous rule of 18 years – with no age limit for unmarried daughters. Children of determination are granted a residence permit, regardless of their age.

The UAE Golden Visa residency programme, which was first implemented in 2019, enabled expats to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 percent ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland.