A visa processing centre in Deira, Dubai.
A visa processing centre in Deira, Dubai.
A visa processing centre in Deira, Dubai.
A visa processing centre in Deira, Dubai.

UAE golden visa: Dubai immigration opens round-the-clock service


  • English
  • Arabic

A dedicated service for golden visa holders and major employers in the UAE has been introduced.

Dubai's immigration service, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, said a new team was set up to handle applications for holders of golden visas, major companies that have more than 10,000 workers and operators of four and five-star hotels.

The ‘You Are Special’ team will be available 24-7 from July 7 to deal with applications and ensure they are processed promptly.

“We have taken great steps to achieve the goals of the UAE’s national agenda through enhancing and improving our services that meet the needs of our customers,” said Maj Gen Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the GDRFA.

“We seek to be at the forefront and aim to achieve customers’ requirements through services that distinguish Dubai from the rest of the world.”

People can log on to smart.gdrfad.gov.ae or call 8005111 to inquire about the service.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the launch of a golden card visa scheme in May 2019 to give exceptional workers and foreign investors the opportunity to create deeper roots in the country and allow the nation to benefit from their expertise.

The 10-year residency scheme is aimed at attracting workers in the fields of health, engineering science and arts.

The scheme has been expanded since it was launched to include medical personnel, scientists, workers with backgrounds in computer and electrical engineering and those with AI and programming expertise.

This week, the UAE government announced that high-school pupils who achieved top marks in their final exams would be granted golden visas.

Children who scored 95 per cent or more will receive a 10-year visa for themselves and their immediate families.

Celebrities who got the UAE golden visa - in pictures

  • Lebanese singer Najwa Karam is one of many celebrities offered UAE's golden visa.
    Lebanese singer Najwa Karam is one of many celebrities offered UAE's golden visa.
  • Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama
    Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama
  • Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Fashion influencer Ola Farahat
    Fashion influencer Ola Farahat
  • Tunisian singer Latifa El Arfaoui
    Tunisian singer Latifa El Arfaoui
  • Lebanese singer Marwan Khoury
    Lebanese singer Marwan Khoury
  • Egyptian actress Nelly Karim
    Egyptian actress Nelly Karim
  • Lebanese singer Walid Toufic
    Lebanese singer Walid Toufic
  • Egyptian singer and composer Hani Shaker
    Egyptian singer and composer Hani Shaker
  • Lebanese television presenter Annabella Hilal
    Lebanese television presenter Annabella Hilal
  • Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan
    Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan
  • Chef Izu Ani
    Chef Izu Ani
  • Chef Reif Othman
    Chef Reif Othman
  • Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim
    Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim
  • Syrian actor Kosai Khauli
    Syrian actor Kosai Khauli
  • Indian actor and director Sanjay Dutt
    Indian actor and director Sanjay Dutt
  • Lebanese designer Karen Wazen
    Lebanese designer Karen Wazen
  • Lebanese-Canadian basketball player Ali Kanaan
    Lebanese-Canadian basketball player Ali Kanaan
  • Film director Mohammed Samy with his wife, actress Mai Omar
    Film director Mohammed Samy with his wife, actress Mai Omar
  • Lebanese actress Jessy Abdo
    Lebanese actress Jessy Abdo
  • Lebanese singer Myriam Fares
    Lebanese singer Myriam Fares
  • South Indian actor Mohanlal
    South Indian actor Mohanlal
  • Kerala star Mammootty
    Kerala star Mammootty
  • Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty
    Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty
  • Kerala actor Tovino Thomas
    Kerala actor Tovino Thomas
  • South Indian actor Prithviraj.
    South Indian actor Prithviraj.
  • Moroccan singer Imad Benaomar
    Moroccan singer Imad Benaomar
  • Egyptian actor Karim Fahmi.
    Egyptian actor Karim Fahmi.
  • Egyptian actress Safia Alemary
    Egyptian actress Safia Alemary
  • Bollywood film producer Boney Kapoor.
    Bollywood film producer Boney Kapoor.
  • Indian Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam.
    Indian Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam.
  • Lebanese singer Elissa.
    Lebanese singer Elissa.
  • Giorgio Armani with his UAE golden visa in Dubai. Photo: Giorgio Armani
    Giorgio Armani with his UAE golden visa in Dubai. Photo: Giorgio Armani
  • Pakistani actor Ali Zafar. Photo: Yash Raj Films
    Pakistani actor Ali Zafar. Photo: Yash Raj Films
  • Pakistani actor Fakhr-e-Alam.
    Pakistani actor Fakhr-e-Alam.
  • Bollywood star Ranveer Singh being presented his UAE golden visa in Abu Dhabi by Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, the chief executive of Miral. Photo: Yas Island
    Bollywood star Ranveer Singh being presented his UAE golden visa in Abu Dhabi by Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, the chief executive of Miral. Photo: Yas Island




Results:

Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

Updated: July 07, 2021, 6:32 AM