The media office of the emirate has announced that a number of imams, preachers, and religious scholars have been granted a golden residence by Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to mark the occasion of Eid ul Fitr.
Media reported that this directive was issued under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
The eligibility criteria for the ten-year residence permit extension include having served as a mosque imam, preacher, muezzin, or mufti in the Gulf state for at least 20 years.
The announcement was made by the Dubai Media Authority, shortly before the start of Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In addition, the Crown Prince also announced a “financial reward” for the occasion.
The UAE Golden Visa program, designed to attract and retain foreign talent, offers long-term residency for five or ten years, granting visa holders the autonomy to reside in the country without a sponsor and work outside the UAE for extended periods.
While the program was initially limited to the public sector and real estate investors, it has since expanded to include entrepreneurs, specialized talent, inventors, doctors, scientists, creatives in the arts and culture, and more professions.
