Dubai Culture to grant 10-year residency visas to 1,000 creators and artists

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority have made an announcement that it will grant cultural visas with a validity of 10 years to 1,000 creators and artists from across the world in the upcoming phase of the initiative which was first announced in 2019.

Dubai Culture has previously signed an agreement with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to establish cooperation in issuing cultural visas for investors, entrepreneurs and those with specialised talent.

“Attracting intellectuals and creatives will contribute to the country’s economic growth and boost Dubai’s profile as a global destination,” said Major General Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the GDRFA in Dubai.

The long-term cultural visa are granted to accomplished creative talent in the fields of literature, culture, fine arts, performing arts, and design, as well as those in the heritage, history and knowledge-related sectors as well as intellectual and creative industries.

Applications are accepted if they meet terms and conditions and key criteria related to years of residency in the country, record of knowledge-related and creative achievements, and willingness to meet optional conditions and pledges for each category, including a pledge to contribute 36 hours of service to the community in the UAE in creative or artistic capacities, among others. This will allow the visa holders to automatically renew their visas without an Emirati sponsor.