The UAE introduced long-term residency visas back in 2019 which are issued for a period of five or ten years and automatically get renewed. These visas allow for foreigners to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor. In addition, they’ll be able to lawfully own 100% of their businesses on the UAE’s mainland.
The program’s goal is to attract the world’s most innovative and brilliant minds from all sectors to relocate to the UAE.
So, we’ve gathered together a list of 10 celebrities who have been gifted a UAE Golden Visa…
1. Najwa Karam
On her 55th birthday back in February, the pop star was delighted to receive her golden visa.
May God bless the UAE’s leadership and people, This happened on my birthday too, so the joy has doubled!
Najwa Karam on recieving her golden visa.
2. Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani recognizes that his relationship with Dubai may appear to be a contradiction.
In many ways, Dubai is the opposite of what is normally associated with Armani, a kind of reverse image of the things I hold dear: it is highly visible, ostentatious and frentic.
But there is also an aspect that is very Armani and resembles my character, a quality we have in common: it is without doubt a place focused on the future, fast moving, where the imagination knows no bounds. Nothing and nowhere can be compared with the wonder of Dubai, conceived and raised with the sole purpose of astonishing the world.
Armani’s interview with The National
Those parallels were given concrete form when Armani opened his hotel in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, 10 years ago. These parallels were reaffirmed, when the designer was honored with a golden visa, gifting him a 10-year residency in the emirate for his contributions to the country.
3. Ragheb Alama
Ragheb Alama, the Lebanese legend, and his family have been offered a UAE golden residency visa.
4. Mohammed Ramadan
Egyptian megastar, Mohamed Ramadan, was gifted his long-term residency in the United Arab Emirates in September of last year. The Egyptian actor and singer recently released a video for his tune “Versace Baby,” which was shot in Dubai as well.
5. Shah Rukh Khan
Dubai is one of Shah Rukh Khan’s favourite vacation spots and he even owns a luxurious home on the Palm Jumeirah. The superstar, who travels to Dubai regularly, is one of the selected few Indian celebrities who have been gifted the UAE’s golden visa.
6. Elissa
Elissa was also one of the few Arab pop stars to be granted a golden visa by the UAE in appreciation of her musical achievements.
7. Christiano Ronaldo
The star has a close acquaintance with Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. At the 2019 Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo was named Best Player of the Year. In February 2020, Ronaldo earned his golden visa.
8. Mohamed Sami & Mai Omar
Director Mohamed Sami and his wife Mai Omar attended the celebration of their golden residency in the UAE.
All thanks and respect to the United Arab Emirates and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for granting me the golden residency visa. And for the constant support of creators as well as their interest in the development of Arab art on a global level. I salute you from the bottom of my heart, may this great and beautiful country continue to be prosperous alongside my Egypt.
Director Mohamed Sami via Instagram
9. Nelly Karim
In an interview with the web show ET Bil Arabi, Nelly Karim expressed her gratitude and relief at the fact that she will be able to come and go from the UAE as she pleases for the next decade.
10. Myriam Fares
Myriam Fares has also received the UAE Golden Visa after an excellent contribution to Dubai’s Culture & Arts Authority.