Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has announced that outstanding teachers and education professionals will now be eligible for the UAE's golden visa, following directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The move forms part of a broader push by the emirate to recognise professionals whose work has a lasting impact on society.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, said teachers are essential partners in shaping the next generation and that investing in them carries an impact that extends far beyond the classroom. He described the decision as a reflection of the value Dubai places on the teaching profession.
The UAE's golden visa programme, launched in 2019, offers long-term residency without the need for a national sponsor to categories including investors, specialised talents, scientists and outstanding students. Extending eligibility to teachers marks the latest expansion of the scheme, which has steadily broadened over the years to cover more professional groups seen as valuable to the country's development.
The announcement comes as Dubai continues to invest heavily in its education sector, expanding school capacity and attracting international institutions in recent years. Authorities have not yet detailed the specific eligibility criteria or application process for teachers, saying further information will be released in the coming period.