Dubai continues to actively attract families of talented specialists: more than 167,000 Golden Visas have been issued.
According to GDRFA Dubai, the emirate is experiencing steady growth in popularity among families, highly qualified professionals and investors thanks to convenient digital services and a people-centric policy.
Ahead of the International Day of Families on May 15, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) emphasized that it continues to develop a fully digital service ecosystem aimed at strengthening family stability and improving quality of life. The goal is to make Dubai one of the best cities in the world to live, work and settle in long-term.
These initiatives fully align with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 (“Family is the Foundation of the Nation”) and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aim to position Dubai among the world’s top three global cities by attracting talent, investors and families.
Family Services Available
The GDRFA digital platform allows quick and convenient processing of:
- Visit visas for relatives and friends,
- Residency visas for family members,
- Issuance and renewal of passports,
- Replacement of lost or damaged documents,
- Amendments to family records,
- Issuance of movement reports and certificates.
Golden Residency: Who Qualifies
The Golden Residency program continues to expand and covers investors, real estate owners, scientists, specialists, entrepreneurs, humanitarian pioneers, outstanding students and retirees. First-degree family members are also entitled to all privileges of the Golden Residency.
Key Figures (2021 – Q1 2026)
- 167,124 residency visas issued to families of specialized talents
- 100,286 residency visas issued to families of real estate investors
- 70,247 residency visas issued to families of scientists and specialists
- 37,022 residency visas issued to families of investors
- 3,259 residency visas issued to families of retirees
Thousands of additional residencies were granted to families of entrepreneurs, humanitarian pioneers and outstanding students.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, stated:
“Families remain the foundation of a stable and prosperous society. The development of family-related services is a key pillar of Dubai’s future vision. We are creating a flexible and digital service ecosystem that gives people a sense of security, stability and belonging to the city.”
According to Al Marri, the continuous growth in family residencies and Golden Residencies reflects increasing international confidence in Dubai as a destination for long-term living and a successful future.
GDRFA Dubai announced that it will continue to enhance integrated digital channels and actively implement artificial intelligence to simplify procedures and further improve services, thereby strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading destination for families and global talent.
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