A new visa allows talented people from the world of arts and culture to live in the UAE for longer than before.
If you're an artist, curator, singer, dancer, performer or musician, you could qualify for the 10-year cultural golden visa.
The eligibility bar is set high, with a mandatory recommendation letter from a local or federal cultural authority to start the process.
After a month, I got an email to say 'congratulations you are selected for a cultural golden visa'
Ruxeena Musthafa,
International Studio of Art and Galleries, Dubai
Ruxeena Musthafa, co-founder of the International Studio of Art and Galleries, Dubai, has been displaying her abstract canvasses in the country for more than 25 years.
“I feel recognised. I’m so proud to get a cultural golden visa for my work as an artist,” said the Dubai resident who hosts workshops for children, schools and adults.
“I appreciate the UAE for respecting art. Not many countries give this recognition to an artist.”
Golden bridge to art
The overhaul of the residency process is one of the biggest shake-ups of the country’s immigration policy in years.
“The UAE government has built a golden bridge that welcomes artists,” said Raka Roy, partner at Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants.
“It is a hand stretched forward to the artistic community around the world and will build a global art community with the UAE as a hub.
“This will help the cultural and economic sector flourish.”
Ms Roy anticipated strong demand that would tap diverse artistic talent.
“Artists from other parts of the world can reside and contribute to the artistic pool of the UAE," she said.
“There is mixed population in the UAE who can afford and appreciate art so it’s a win-win for local and international artists.”
Who qualifies for a cultural visa
This covers fine art and performance artistes who have made their mark in the cultural sphere and have an established body of work.
“Inventors, innovators, and exceptional talents in vital fields such as culture, art, sports and digital technology can obtain a golden visa regardless of their educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary or professional level. The visa requires a recommendation or approval from a federal or local government entity,” according to a UAE government website.
Ms Roy said the person should have have created original works.
“It could be paintings, a mural, [or] a written body of work by an author," she said. The visa also covers singers and people active in acting and drama.
Work of a high calibre “and credibility must be established”, she said
How long should I have lived in the UAE?
There is no requirement for the applicant to have lived in the UAE for a set number of years.
Can an artist who is not a UAE resident apply?
Artists with a visit or residence visa can apply provided they are in the country when submitting the application.
Letter from a UAE cultural authority
A recommendation from a federal or local government authority is vital to qualify.
For instance in Dubai, a "creative talented accreditation (cultural visa)" recommendation letter from the Dubai Culture and Arts authority is needed to begin the application.
“This letter is key,” Ms Roy said.
In-depth verification checks are conducted.
“From an immigration point of view, there is a filter and the cultural visa is not given to anybody who simply claims to be an artist,” she said.
There are parameters and guidelines. "They ask for a portoflio, the number of exhibitions, number of years the artist has been contributing," Ms Roy said.
To apply: https://dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/e-services/cultural-visa
Submissions for a recommendation letter
Artists must submit copies of their visa, passport and Emirates identity card.
Submissions should include a detailed CV that focuses on their cultural and art experience.
A portfolio can include pictures and video.
Is the cultural visa possible only if you receive a letter?
Yes, Dubai's immigration agency, GDRFA, specifies that a recommendation letter from a local or federal authority is a requirement to begin the application process.
Dubai Culture has listed details of the application process and cultural authorities in other emirates are expected to follow.
How long will it take?
There is no specified time but it has been known to take at least 30 days.
Acceptance or rejection will be confirmed via email.
It took Musthafa, the artist, a month to receive confirmation.
“They ask for certificates, they need to see how many years you have worked as an artist,” she said.
“After a month, I got an email to say 'congratulations you are selected for a cultural golden visa.'”
Once the nomination is approved, applicants receive an email link to upload the required documents.
Alternatively, they can visit an Amer centre with the documents to complete the process.
After either applying online or at the Amer centre, the application will be verified by the ICA and the artist receives the new visa.
How much does it cost?
The cultural golden visa can cost upwards of Dh3,000.
Charges cover submission, medical fitness application, cancellation of old visa, application for Emirates identity card, stamping of visa.
Artists who used the services of a public relations officer paid about Dh5,000 for the 10-year visa.
Step-by-step process
Apply for the accreditation letter from the Dubai Culture and Arts authority or equivalent.
Once this is received, apply for approval of the nomination from the ICA or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website.
Head to the Amer centre or apply via the GDRFA or General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs.
Final approval is based on GDRFA clearance.
If application is via the Amer centre, select the required service at the reception and submit all documents to the service centre official.
For applications through the GDRFA portal, download the application, select the service, attach documents and submit the request.
Requirements for Amer include a passport copy, residency or visit visa copy, digital photo, recommendation letter from a government entity.
Key information
Obtaining a recommendation letter from a cultural authority does not signify final approval.
This is conditional and part of procedures to obtain further approvals from other local and federal authorities.
Granting the visa is up to the discretion of authorities and is not open to appeal.
Authorities can reject an application without giving a reason.
Applications must be made by the artists, submissions from companies or service centres will not be accepted.
Portals to check
UAE website on golden visa for talented individuals: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visa/getting-the-golden-visa
Recommendation letter: https://dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/e-services/cultural-visa
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Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
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
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HOW TO WATCH
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
