Source: Fortune
Summary
The UAE’s golden visa program, launched in 2019, offers 10-year residency to investors and skilled workers, expanding to include professionals like nurses, teachers, and e-sports gamers. The initiative aims to attract talent without full citizenship, with expats making up 90% of the population. The program has been used to boost sectors like healthcare and gaming, with over 1,400 nurses and 223 educators receiving visas. Despite increased geopolitical tensions, including Iranian attacks, the UAE has maintained the program, offering relief to stranded residents. Experts note the visa’s appeal for independence and stability, though demand has slowed due to uncertainty.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
The UAE expanded golden visas to include nurses, teachers, and gamers.
Over 1,400 nurses and 223 educators got residency in 2026.
Iranian attacks didn’t stop the program, but slowed demand.
Golden visas offer independence, not just residency.
Author: Evan Null
Selling more than a visa
The UAE’s golden visa program has evolved beyond just offering residency. It now targets skilled workers and investors, with the goal of building specific industries like healthcare and gaming. The program has attracted over 1,400 nurses and 223 educators, showing a focus on filling labor gaps. The UAE also aims to grow its gaming industry, with a target of 30,000 jobs and $1 billion in GDP by 2033. The program’s appeal includes tax-free living and long-term stability, making it attractive to expats. However, recent geopolitical tensions have led to a slowdown in applications.
A visa that doesn’t belong to your boss
The golden visa gives workers independence from their employers, allowing them to sponsor their families without relying on a job. This was a key factor for Swanand Pagnis, who moved to the UAE in 2022 and secured a golden visa in 2023. He cited the risk of losing his job and, with it, his family’s residency as a major concern. The program offers a way to stay without being tied to a single employer. Despite Iranian attacks, Pagnis chose to stay, prioritizing his daughter’s education. The golden visa provides a sense of security that traditional employment visas lack.
Geopolitical shifts and visa demand
The UAE’s golden visa program has faced a slowdown in demand due to geopolitical uncertainty, particularly after Iranian attacks on the region. Dominic Volek of Henley & Partners noted that while demand has moderated, the UAE’s appeal remains strong. The program’s flexibility and long-term residency options continue to attract skilled workers and investors. Despite the challenges, the UAE has taken steps to support affected residents, including waiving fines and allowing expired permits to be renewed without reapplying. The government has also introduced relief packages to make residency easier for talent.
Residency as a strategic tool
The UAE uses golden visas to build a stable, skilled workforce without full citizenship. This approach allows the country to attract talent in key industries while maintaining control over its population. The program’s expansion to include e-sports and other sectors shows a deliberate effort to diversify the economy. By offering long-term residency, the UAE encourages workers to stay and contribute to the country’s growth. The program also helps reduce the uncertainty that comes with traditional employment-based visas, making it a strategic move for both the government and expats.
Global trends in investment migration
Golden visas are part of a global trend in investment migration, with around 100 countries offering similar programs. The UAE’s approach is unique in its focus on both capital and talent, blending labor and industrial policies. The U.S. recently introduced its own “gold card” in 2025, highlighting the growing interest in residency and citizenship through investment. Demand from Americans has also risen, with applications doubling in 2026. While the UAE remains a top destination, other countries are catching up, offering similar incentives to attract skilled workers and investors.
