x

UAE grants doctors, students 10-year residence visa

The United Arab Emirates said Sunday it will grant all doctors and infectious disease experts living in the country a 10-year visa, who are helping to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Foreigners in the UAE, like most Gulf countries, are generally only given limited residence visas tied to their current employment, and long-term residency is difficult to obtain.

But to attract wealthy business people and highly skilled workers, the UAE last year launched the “Golden” 10-year visa programme, which is now being expanded.

Those eligible include holders of doctorate degrees, medical doctors, and computer, electronics, programming, electrical and biotechnology engineers, tweeted Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

“We are keen to embrace the talent that drives future development and this is only the beginning,” said Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the ruler of Dubai, which has the most diversified economy in the Gulf.

Students from accredited universities who are getting top grades could also qualify, he said, along with those holding specialised degrees in artificial intelligence, big data and epidemiology.

The scheme last year drew in some 6,800 investors, in a windfall worth $27 billion for the economy.

Foreigners account for 90 per cent of the population of some 10 million in the oil-rich UAE, the Arab world’s second-largest economy.

The country has so far recorded more than 150,000 cases of the coronavirus, including 530 deaths.

A months-long lockdown and the impact on tourism and business has done serious damage to the economy, which was already slumping in recent years due to low oil prices.

The “Golden Visa” was the first such scheme in the Gulf, which keeps tight control on residency.

Similar programmes have been launched in other countries that seek to diversify their economies such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Riyadh said in June 2019 that it will offer permanent residency for 800,000 riyals ($213,000) and a one-year renewable residency costing 100,000 riyals ($27,000), allowing expats to do business and buy property without a Saudi sponsor.

Meanwhile, Doha has recently flung open its property market to foreigners, with a scheme giving those purchasing homes or stores the right to longer-term or permanent residency permits.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

WOMAN empowers over 70 Women in Yenagoa

From Rhoda Nnachi, YenagoaIn commemoration of the International Women's...

Nigeria At Crossroads: Underpinnings Of Good Governance, Encumbered By Leadership Quagmire

PATRICK WEMAMBUJohn Maxwell, celebrated American Author and Speaker could...

House Public Accounts Committee Recovers ₦28.7 Billion for the Federation in One Week

Secures Additional ₦199.3 Million from Zenith Bank, GTB Through...

Eha-Amufu indigenes in Enugu debunk allegation of recent mass killings, arson

… I’m alive, rape victim denies protesters' claim she's...

FG Moves to fast-track SDGs Implementation at all levels

By Bobby OshokeAs Nigeria continues regional consultations on...

Plateau group commends Arch Bankat for his outstanding achievements at JMDB

By Israal Adamu, JosPlateau Youths for Good Governance Agenda...

*NTAC DG, Buba Yakub Celebrates Amb.Tuggar On His Birthday.

*Lauds His Selfless Commitment To Service To Nigeria And...

SDP Youth Group Rejects el-Rufai’s Defection, Alleges Attempt To Hijack Party

*Say's he started pushing for SDP leadership change less...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img