Home » Innovation Through Immigration: A Comparative Look at the UAE Golden Visa and Beyond

Innovation Through Immigration: A Comparative Look at the UAE Golden Visa and Beyond

Innovation Through Immigration: A Comparative Look at the UAE Golden Visa and Beyond

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Innovation policy serves as a key strategy for governments to address the challenges posed by globalization and the rapidly evolving global economy. Among the various innovative approaches adopted by countries is the golden visa scheme, aimed at drawing in foreign direct investment (FDI) by offering long-term residency to individuals or entities that fulfill specific requirements1Tolib, Ruhiyat M., et al. “Golden Visa Innovation Policy: An Alternative Strategy for Increasing Investment.” Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2025, p. 9257, doi:10.24294/jipd9257. ResearchGate, www.researchgate.net/publication/387757708_Golden_visa_innovation_policy_An_alternative_strategy_for_increasing_investment..

Residency by Investment (RBI) programs, often referred to as Golden Visas, grant foreign nationals’ residency or citizenship in return for financial investments. While terminology varies by country, these schemes typically offer benefits that go beyond standard visas, including faster processing time, multiple-entry access, longer stays, property ownership, and very often a smoother route to eventual citizenship.

RBI programs span from Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to Panama. Historically, originating in the late 1980s and early 1990s the most prominent schemes have been in Canada and the United States, with comparable initiatives also present in Australia and New Zealand2Surak, Kristin, and Yusuke Tsuzuki. “Are Golden Visas a Golden Opportunity? Assessing the Economic Origins and Outcomes of Residence by Investment Programmes in the EU.” Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 2021, doi:10.1080/1369183X.2021.1915755..

The UAE introduced its Golden Visa program in 2019. The country has established itself as a key destination for FDI in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, accounting for 31% of total regional FDI in 2023, amounting to $30.7 billion3“How Are Dubai and Abu Dhabi Attracting Foreign Direct Investment?” Global Citizen Solutions, Global Intelligence Unit, www.globalcitizensolutions.com/intelligence-unit/briefings/how-are-uae-attracting-fdi/.. Introducing a Golden Visa and later implementing a range of alterations aligned with the country’s overall objective to diversify the economy beyond oil and create an image of a business and talent hub.

Changes to UAE Golden Visa Through Years

UAE Golden Visa enables foreign talents to live and work in the UAE and enjoy certain advantages. Through the years, there have been various modifications to the visa. In 2020, the country announced that individuals with doctorates, medical degrees, and engineering expertise in fields such as computer science, electronics, coding, electrical, and biotechnology would be eligible for 10-year visas. This policy also extended to specialists in artificial intelligence, big data, and epidemiology, as well as top-performing students with GPAs above 3.84“UAE Widens 10-Year Residency ‘Golden’ Visa Eligibility.” Reuters, 2020, www.reuters.com/article/world/uae-widens-10-year-residency-golden-visa-eligibility-idUSKBN27V08V/.. Thus, by the late 2020s the visa has already evolved into a wider talent attraction tool with tech emphasis.

Another vital shift was the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in July 2021, the UAE expanded Golden Visa eligibility to all licensed doctors in the country, acknowledging their role as “frontline heroes” during the pandemic5“UAE to Grant Golden Visas to Resident Doctors.” ARY News, 2021, arynews.tv/uae-golden-visas-resident-doctors/.. Aligned with its goal of building a knowledge-based economy and dynamic society, the UAE has further expanded its Golden Visa program. In 2024 and 2025, five new eligibility categories were introduced at both federal and emirate levels, targeting key sectors such as healthcare, education, digital media, gaming, and luxury tourism6UAE Golden Visa Expansion: 5 New Categories You Can Now Qualify For.” Gulf News, 2025, https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/visa-immigration/uae-golden-visa-expansion-5-new-categories-you-can-now-qualify-for-1.500022603.

As stated in the Global Citizen Solutions UAE Golden Visa Guide7UAE Golden Visa 2025: Ultimate Guide to the United Arab Emirates Residency.” Global Citizen Solutions, 2025, www.globalcitizensolutions.com/golden-visa-uae/., the benefits are numerous, including tax-free income, quality healthcare, multiple entries, many job opportunities, etc. Moreover, the UAE’s recent relaxation of naturalization laws, allowing expatriates to gain citizenship after 30 years, is another fact worth mentioning. In a nation where 88.5% of the population is foreign, this reflects a shift toward greater openness, inclusivity, and appeal to global investors and skilled professionals8“How Are Dubai and Abu Dhabi Attracting Foreign Direct Investment?” Global Citizen Solutions, Global Intelligence Unit, www.globalcitizensolutions.com/intelligence-unit/briefings/how-are-uae-attracting-fdi/..

The 2024 official figures are not available yet, butthe data from previous years shows a drastic increase.

AI as part of Golden Visa and National Strategy

Apart from enlarging its Golden Visa pool, the UAE is rapidly positioning itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence and software innovation through several initiatives. As part of its National Program for Coders, the government plans to offer 100,000 Golden Visas to top global talents in programming, AI, and related fields. These efforts support the UAE Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to raise the digital economy’s share of non-oil GDP from 11.7% to over 20% within the next decade9“Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.” UAE Government, 2025, https://ai.gov.ae/np4c/?utm_source. The UAE’s leadership framed this as essential to its future economy: “The world is rapidly changing… The fast-growing digital economy will create new types of jobs… We seek to attract the best international coders and provide them with the infrastructure needed to develop innovative ideas that serve the world10“Mohammed bin Rashid Launches National Program for Coders.” Government of Dubai Media Office, 2021, https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2021/July/10-07/Mohammed-bin-Rashid-launches-National-Program-for-Coders#:~:text=,%E2%80%9D..”

Further demonstrating this ambition in May 2025, the UAE has partnered with global tech leaders including OpenAI, NVIDIA, Oracle, and G42 to build “Stargate UAE” a 1GW AI data center in Abu Dhabi, expandable to 5GW11Week’s Top Tech News Stories: 05/29/2025.” LinkedIn, UAE Embassy Washington DC, 29 May 2025, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/weeks-top-tech-news-stories-05292025-uae-embassy-washington-dc-gdxde/.. Overall, the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 seeks to position the country as a global leader in AI investment and establish its reputation as a premier hub for AI innovation across sectors12UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.” The Official Portal of the UAE Government, 2025, https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/government-services-and-digital-transformation/uae-strategy-for-artificial-intelligence#:~:text=The%20UAE%20Strategy%20for%20Artificial,market%20with%20high%20economic%20value.. These reforms are overseen by the first ever Minister of State for AI!

The UAE’s strategic use of its Golden Visa program to attract AI and tech talent shows a growing global trend: the integration of innovation-driven criteria into immigration policy. Now, it is interesting to explore how other countries are adapting their programs to target AI talent and whether UAE pioneers this trend or follows similar initiatives.

Country Cases

  • One of the earliest immigration schemes targeting tech entrepreneurs was launched in Chile through the Start-Up Chile program in 2010. This government initiative now offers three different programs: Build, Ignite, and Growth, to attract global entrepreneurs in technology and innovation13“Startup Chile.”, 2025, www.startupchile.org/.. Unlike earlier programs such as the UK’s Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa (2008) or the US EB-5 Visa (1990), which focused more broadly on investors or general entrepreneurs, Start-Up Chile was specifically designed to support tech-driven ventures.
  • The United Kingdom launched its immigration pathway for digital experts in 2014 under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. In 2020, this was restructured and renamed the Global Talent Visa, with a specific route for digital technology professionals. Now known as the Global Talent Visa (Digital Technology route), the scheme is designed to attract highly skilled individuals in key tech sectors such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, fintech, etc. The visa plays a strategic role in the UK’s broader innovation agenda14“Global Talent Visa.” Tech Nation, 2025, https://technation.io/global-talent-visa/..
  • Launched in 2014, Estonia’s e-Residency program15“E-Residency.” Estonian E-Residency, Republic of Estonia, www.e-resident.gov.ee/. enables non-EU entrepreneurs, especially those in tech, to establish and manage an EU-based company entirely online. Through a secure digital ID, e-Residents gain access to Estonia’s advanced digital infrastructure, allowing for 100% online company registration, digital signatures, and seamless interaction with the EU business environment. The program is particularly attractive to location-independent tech founders seeking to operate remotely with minimal bureaucracy.
  • Portugal launched its Tech Visa program in 2019 as a strategic initiative to attract highly qualified non-EU professionals in the fields of technology and innovation. The program, detailed on the official portals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IAPMEI, aims to address domestic talent shortages and enhance the competitiveness of Portuguese tech companies in the global market. While the visa is primarily company-driven, requiring firms to be certified under the program, it ultimately facilitates the recruitment of international experts to Portugal.
  • Launched in January 2021, Singapore’s Tech.Pass launched by the Economic Development Board (EDB) is aimed at elite global tech talent, including entrepreneurs and senior professionals. The pass supports Singapore’s ambition to strengthen its tech ecosystem by allowing holders to establish businesses, serve on boards, mentor startups, and teach at local institutions16“Tech.Pass to Attract Entrepreneurs and Leaders to Develop Singapore’s Status as a Tech Hub.” Economic Development Board Singapore, 12 Nov. 2020, www.edb.gov.sg/en/about-edb/media-releases-publications/tech-pass-to-attract-entrepreneurs-and-leaders-to-develop-singapores-status-as-a-tech-hub.html..
  • In January 2024, Saudi Arabia introduced new categories under its Premium Residency program17“Saudi Arabia Launches New Residency Plans to Draw Foreign Talent.” Reuters, 11 Jan. 2024, www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-launches-new-residency-plans-draw-foreign-talent-2024-01-11/., including a “Special Talent” visa aimed at attracting experts in science, advanced technology, and AI. The Kingdom has Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy, which also reflects Saudi Arabia’s intention to compete with regional models like the UAE’s Golden Visa.

One can clearly see how countries recognize the global competition for highly skilled professionals, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital sectors, and introduce measures to attract talent from around the globe. The UAE as well, adopted long-term visa schemes and targeted talent programs to attract top global expertise. Inspired by models such as Singapore’s Tech.Pass and the UK’s Exceptional Talent Visa, the UAE has adapted its approach to offer competitive incentives such as tax-free income and stable residency without a path to citizenship. This evolving policy framework serves the country’s economic diversification goals and enhances its international branding and soft power.

Conclusion

Across continents, from Chile and the UK to Singapore and Saudi Arabia, there is a clear trend toward visa programs that target tech entrepreneurs and high-skilled professionals. Countries are now refining these initiatives to target specific expertise in digital and AI fields, reflecting an escalating global competition for advanced expertise.

Analysis shows that the UAE’s intent to introduce the Golden Visa in 2019 is closely linked with its ambition to diversify the economy and establish itself as a global hub for talent. Initially focused on investors and professionals, the program has since expanded to encompass high-skill sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology. Furthermore, recent reforms illustrate a deliberate strategy to align migration policy with the UAE’s long-term knowledge economy objectives. Moreover, the government is actively targeting global AI and programming talent through dedicated visa pathways, aiming to expand the digital economy’s contribution to GDP.

The relevance of the UAE’s case lies in the fact that the country integrated artificial intelligence not only with its immigration framework but also across national policy. The UAE’s Golden Visa strategy reflects a broader shift from an oil-dependent economy to one centered on knowledge, innovation, and advanced technologies. This approach reflects a deliberate effort to position the country as a global hub for talent and innovation, aligning long-term residency incentives with broader objectives of economic diversification and digital transformation.

References