The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has approved a 10-year golden visa for all PhD holders based in the country.

Maktoum said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) approved a 10-year golden visa for all PhD holders based in the country and graduates who have a minimum of 3.8 grade point average from UAE-accredited universities on Sunday, 15 November, 2020.

The golden visa residency was also extended to specialists in Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, virology, epidemiology and UAE-based physicians and engineers in the fields of computer science, electronics and programming, electricity and biotechnology.

According to his statement, he said,“Today, we approved granting the 10-year Golden Visa to all PhD holders in the UAE. Also, the Golden Visa will be granted to top graduates from UAE-accredited universities with a GPA of 3.8 and above”.

“UAE Golden Visa will also include UAE-based physicians, as well as, engineers in the fields of computer science, electronics, programming, electricity, and biotechnology.

“Other categories granted UAE Golden Residency are specialists in AI, big data, virology, epidemiology & UAE’s high school top graduates and their families. We are keen to embrace talent that drives future development and this is only the beginning”.

The changes will take place starting from December 1, 2020. Foreign nationals living in the UAE have a renewable visa. The visa is usually valid for two years and it is linked with employment.