• Any medical doctor will now be eligible for the golden visa. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Any medical doctor will now be eligible for the golden visa. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • The UAE is keen to attract and retain the skills of scientists as part of the golden card scheme. The National
    The UAE is keen to attract and retain the skills of scientists as part of the golden card scheme. The National
  • Those with high-level knowledge of advancing technologies, such as artificial intelligence as well as computer programmers, are eligible for long-term residency. Getty Images
    Those with high-level knowledge of advancing technologies, such as artificial intelligence as well as computer programmers, are eligible for long-term residency. Getty Images
  • Engineers are a driving force behind the country and will also benefit from an expanded effort to support leading professionals
    Engineers are a driving force behind the country and will also benefit from an expanded effort to support leading professionals
  • Gifted pupils will be rewarded under the expanded golden card programme. Pawan Singh / The National
    Gifted pupils will be rewarded under the expanded golden card programme. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The UAE is aiming to retain the talents of the brightest students in the country as they embark on their careers. The National
    The UAE is aiming to retain the talents of the brightest students in the country as they embark on their careers. The National

UAE to expand 10-year golden visa system to all doctors, PhD holders and highly skilled workers


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Latest: UAE's frontline medics tell of morale boost at 10-year golden visas

The UAE will significantly expand its 10-year golden visa system next month to attract foreign professionals and encourage them to settle for longer.

The change means any medical doctor will qualify for the long-term visa.

In addition, a wide range of scientists and data experts will be able to easily secure long-term residency, as will all PhD holders.

The list includes people with backgrounds in computer and electrical engineering, biotechnology and those with AI and programming expertise.

I have been mentoring female engineers in the UAE for years and want to continue to contribute to the community here

Pupils who leave high school with top marks would also be eligible – along with their families. Students leaving universities with a GPA of 3.8 will also be included.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the nationwide move on Sunday. It will come into effect from December and the application website is here.

"We want to keep those who are talented here so we can continue together our journey of development and achievement," he said.

The original scheme brought in last year was aimed at top investors, company executives and scientists.

Some wealthy expat business owners with long-standing investments and contributions were approached or invited to apply.

Dr Ramanathan Venkiteswaran, medical director of Medcare and Aster Hospitals and Clinics, said his teams were thrilled by the news.

"Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, doctors have been at the frontline of battling this deadly virus," he told The National.

"The extended visa will provide opportunity for doctors to continue to serve the people, striving for excellence in all fields of patient care."

Dr Amgad Farouk, a consultant urologist who works for Medcare's Al Safa hospital, said the move would "attract many more doctors to Dubai and create a medical hub for any health issue".

In the UAE, a person's residential status is typically tied to their employer through a residency visa. It is cancelled once the two part ways and the former employee typically has 30 days to secure a new visa or find another job.

Boost for R&D industry

Long-term visas mean the person has far greater flexibility, can plan ahead, more easily sponsor their family and has piece of mind about their status in the country.

Dr Boutheina Tlili, associate professor of electrical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology's campus in Dubai, said the decision was a boom for the research and development industry.

"The number of students in research will surge with this 10-year-visa and universities here will soon catch up with universities in Europe and the US," she said.

She said securing visas for post-doctoral candidates has been problematic at times.

PhD and post-doctoral students would often be given a one or two-year visas but their research would take much longer.

"We would not know if the student would be able to stay in the country and there was no stability," she said.

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"Now, this gives us more stability to plan ahead for research. Now, students can stay back and complete their research."

Dr Tlili, 55, who is originally from Tunisia and made Dubai her second home 17 years ago, also hopes to take advantage of the 10-year visa and then retire in the UAE.

At present, her employer renews her residency visa every three years.

"I have been mentoring female engineers in the UAE for years and want to continue to contribute to the community here," she said.

Last month, Dubai brought in a scheme to attract remote workers from around the globe to the emirate. Officials hope the country's tax-free status and year-round sunshine will appeal to skilled workers whose companies have moved to long-term home working.

The scheme does not require employees to work for a locally-based company, which has long been a feature of the visa system.

The coronavirus pandemic has also put the spotlight on the contributions of medical personnel and other crucial frontline workers.

In September, the government opened a database of professionals of all nationalities that were deemed crucial to tackling the pandemic or any future crisis.

About 80,000 doctors, nurses, hospital workers and others were added to the 'frontline heroes' register.

As part of the programme, frontline heroes are awarded various benefits including help with living costs and school fees, where needed.

Golden visa recipients - in pictures

  • Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of property developer Danube, was given a golden visa in 2019. At the time, he also welcomed the decision to allow mid-level managers earning Dh30,000 ($8,000) per month to apply for long-term visas. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of property developer Danube, was given a golden visa in 2019. At the time, he also welcomed the decision to allow mid-level managers earning Dh30,000 ($8,000) per month to apply for long-term visas. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dr Azad Moopen, chairman and founder of Aster DM Healthcare, was also granted a 10-year residency visa. Randi Sokoloff / The National
    Dr Azad Moopen, chairman and founder of Aster DM Healthcare, was also granted a 10-year residency visa. Randi Sokoloff / The National
  • Fragrance tycoon Mohammed Rahman (C) receives his golden card visa at Dubai's immigration service, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. The businessman, who runs Al Haramain Group, was the first Bangladeshi to receive the visa. Photo: GDRFA
    Fragrance tycoon Mohammed Rahman (C) receives his golden card visa at Dubai's immigration service, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. The businessman, who runs Al Haramain Group, was the first Bangladeshi to receive the visa. Photo: GDRFA
  • Firoz Merchant, founder of Pure Gold Jewellers, said it was 'a huge honour' to be granted long-term residency in 2019. Photo: Firoz Merchant
    Firoz Merchant, founder of Pure Gold Jewellers, said it was 'a huge honour' to be granted long-term residency in 2019. Photo: Firoz Merchant
  • MA Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director of supermarket chain Lulu Group, pictured with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, was the first recipient of a golden card. The National
    MA Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director of supermarket chain Lulu Group, pictured with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, was the first recipient of a golden card. The National
  • Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of VPS Healthcare, receives UAE permanent residency in summer 2019. Photo: Dr Shamsheer Vayalil
    Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of VPS Healthcare, receives UAE permanent residency in summer 2019. Photo: Dr Shamsheer Vayalil
  • Indian-Arab businessman Balvinder Sahni, owner of RSG International, which builds hotels and residential towers, was an early recipient of long-term visa. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Indian-Arab businessman Balvinder Sahni, owner of RSG International, which builds hotels and residential towers, was an early recipient of long-term visa. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Sharjah’s first golden card recipient was Lalu Samuel, chairman and managing director of Kingston Holdings and Chairman of Sharjah Industry Business Group. Photo: Kingston Holdings
    Sharjah’s first golden card recipient was Lalu Samuel, chairman and managing director of Kingston Holdings and Chairman of Sharjah Industry Business Group. Photo: Kingston Holdings
  • Siddique Pallolathil, head of hypermarket chain Nesto Group, was the first recipient in Ajman to received long-term residency. Photo: Siddique Pallolathil
    Siddique Pallolathil, head of hypermarket chain Nesto Group, was the first recipient in Ajman to received long-term residency. Photo: Siddique Pallolathil
Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

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.

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal

Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.

School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.

“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.  

“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”

Grand Slam Los Angeles results

Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos

Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Cricket World Cup League Two

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

 

Fixtures

Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia

Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE

Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

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STAGE 4 RESULTS

1 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 4:51:51

2 David Dekker (NED) Team Jumbo-Visma

3 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal 

4 Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis

5 Matteo Moschetti (ITA) Trek-Segafredo

General Classification

1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 12:50:21

2 Adam Yates (GBR) Teamn Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:43

3 Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:03

4 Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:43

5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45

As it stands in Pool A

1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14

2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11

3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5

Remaining fixtures

Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am

Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm

Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm