Highlights
Rising Demand for ‘Skilled Professional’ Golden Visas: The UAE’s Golden Visa program sees a surge in interest from highly skilled individuals seeking long-term residency.
Smooth Processing for Skilled Professionals: The ‘skilled professional’ category offers quicker processing times due to existing labor files, expediting application procedures.
Thriving Job Market: Industries like technology, digital services, retail, and hospitality attract newcomers, filling middle to senior management roles.
Streamlined Documentation: Applicants need attested university degrees, Emirates ID, work contracts, salary certificates, and UAE health insurance.
Efficient Processing: Pre-approval for ‘skilled professional’ visas takes about a week, followed by a standard two-week turnaround for visa issuance.
Accessible Option: The ‘skilled professional’ category appeals to those without significant property investments, making Golden Visas more attainable.
UAE’s Commitment: Emphasis on skilled professionals underscores the UAE’s dedication to building a competitive and diverse workforce.
Rising Demand
In response to the escalating demand for UAE’s Golden Visas, particularly among high-net-worth individuals seeking residency, the ‘skilled professional’ category is rapidly gaining traction. This trend is attributed to various factors, including the ease of processing and a burgeoning job market in key sectors.
Unlike the traditional property investment route that requires a substantial financial commitment, the ‘skilled professional’ category offers a smoother processing experience. This is primarily due to the existing labor file that skilled professionals maintain with the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The file contains essential details such as job titles and salaries, which expedites the application process.
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Recent weeks have witnessed a significant surge in interest for Golden Visas under the ‘skilled professional’ category. Experts suggest that while property investment was a prominent pathway for securing visas in 2022, the current focus is on long-term residency. This shift is particularly noticeable among highly skilled individuals entering the UAE, driven by incentives offered by companies and a thriving job market.
Industries such as technology, digital services, retail, and hospitality are experiencing robust growth, resulting in a rise in middle to senior management roles. Moreover, the launch of new businesses is adding to the demand for Golden Visas, further enhancing the UAE’s appeal as a destination for skilled professionals.
James Swallow, Commercial Director at PRO Partner Group, emphasizes the program’s attractiveness, stating,
“The Golden Visa program continues to be a major draw – I don’t think we are anywhere close to realizing the full potential under the various eligible categories.”
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Streamlined Documentation
For applicants under the ‘skilled professional’ category, the documentation process is streamlined. Required documents typically include an attested university degree, Emirates ID, valid work contract, salary certificate, and UAE health insurance. A letter of experience with at least five years in the same position is also necessary.
Pre-approval processing under the ‘skilled professional’ category takes approximately a week, followed by a standard two-week turnaround for the visa and Emirates ID issuance.
While government fees for all Golden Visa applications remain consistent at around Dh3,000, the ‘skilled professional’ category offers a more accessible route for individuals who do not have a significant property investment. As the UAE’s Golden Visa program continues to evolve and attract diverse talent, the focus on skilled professionals underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and competitive workforce.
