BY OKELLO ALLAN
DUBAI|SHIFTMEDIA| Professionals and students with specialised degrees will now have a 10 year “Golden” resident Visa to the United Arab Emirates, the authorities announced on Sunday.
The announcement is some of the latest in a string of new programs aimed at attracting people to the Emirates, as well as improving living standards for expatriates in the country.
Similarly, all university students in UAE with a GPA of 3.8 or higher will have same opportunity of accessing a 10 year visa.
“All residents who hold a doctorate degree, medical doctors, and computer, electronics, programming, electrical, and biotechnology engineers can apply for the special visa,”said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
Degree holders in Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, or epidemiology and viruses are also eligible, he added.
The move comes as part of the UAE’s mission to foster young talent and attract highly-skilled professionals to the country, Sheikh Mohammed said.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Dubai in October began offering individuals and families a new “Dubai Virtual Working Program” that allows individuals and families to live in the UAE for a year while working abroad.
Over 200 doctors treating COVID-19 patients were also granted permanent Golden Residency visas for their efforts in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
In September, Dubai announced the launch of the “Retire in Dubai” program that offers resident expatriates and foreigners above the age of 55 to apply for a retirement visa.
In 2018, the UAE announced that it would be granting residency visas of up to 10 years for investors and professionals and their families in addition to grade ‘A’ students.
Shift Media News 
