The first cultural visa in the world
Emphasising the position of Dubai as a global centre for culture, an incubator of creativity, and a hub for talent, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, adopted a new system to grant the first cultural visa in the world. This initiative will position the UAE as the leader of the global cultural scene by attracting writers, artists, and creators, and establishing itself as the incubator for the most important Arab and international talents and creations. This comes as a part of a major endeavour to stimulate the cultural economy as well as attract, retain, and empower talent.
Target Segment:
The golden visa is granted to creative talents in the fields of literature, culture, arts, heritage studies, history, knowledge, intellectual and creative industries based on the following conditions:
(To be approved, an applicant must meet at least five conditions from the compulsory criteria)
Fine Arts:
(Painting - Calligraphy - Sculpture - Handicraft - Photography)
The applicant's artistic career should not be less than ten years.
They are capable of presenting a distinct and tangible artistic production in their field of specialisation (exhibitions, galleries, ceremonies, etc.) inside or outside the country.
They possess advanced technical capabilities that would have been documented by models of production in the field of specialisation.
The applicant, over the past three years, has contributed to their field of specialisation.
The applicant was recognised by critics, the media, or by governmental or private institutions over the past three years.
They are lead on an investment project with a value of AED 2 million or more.
They have contributed to raising the level of the creative economy as partners or owners, or possess sponsorship or grants that were provided to them through which they may start their own creative work.
They are the recipients of an artistic award from accredited and recognised entities, or a medal of appreciation in the same field.
Optional requirements
To have artistic and creative productions.
To be a member of an artistic association or an artistic and cultural centre.
To be a member of an international artistic organisation or association.
To be an artistic evaluator of local or international exhibitions.
To have contributions in the field of social responsibility.
Commitments
To register in the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s database.
To pledge to contribute 36 hours per year from their time as endowment, six of their artistic works, 20 copies of their photographic works, or tacit knowledge to hold free lectures and workshops to help strengthen the cultural endowment in line with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s efforts.
Literature:
(Poetry - Story - Novel - Criticism - Translation - General Knowledge).
Their literary career should not be less than 10 years.
They are able to present a distinct and tangible literary production in their field of specialisation (poetry - criticism - story - novel - translation) inside or outside the country.
They have the presence of an approved financial source, whether it is capital, fixed income, or an employment contract, with one of the recognised institutions; a sponsorship; or a grant through which they can start a private business.
They own a successful and existing investment project, the value of which is not less than AED 2 million.
They have at least six distinguished and value-added publications in the field of literature (poetry - story - novel - criticism - translation - general knowledge).
They have creative contributions, clear and tangible, in literature, both locally and abroad, during the last three years.
They have an activity that has been noticed by critics, the media, or governmental or private institutions (in the country of residence or other countries) during the last three years.
They have high-quality productions, published and distributed internationally.
Optional Requirements
They are a member of a literary association, a cultural centre, an international organisation, or a well-known entity concerned with literary or written affairs.
Applicants are recipient of a literary award from recognised bodies or an appreciation medal in the same field.
They hold international awards or certificates of appreciation for the creative work in their field of specialisation.
Commitments
To register in the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s database.
To pledge to contribute 36 hours per year from their time as endowment, 15 books they own to Dubai Public Libraries, or tacit knowledge to hold free lectures and workshops to help strengthen the cultural endowment in line with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s efforts.
Performing arts:
(Music - Theatrical Performance - Dance and Show Performances - Film and Cinema)
The applicant’s artistic career is not less than 10 years within the country, during which they contributed to the activation and advancement of Dubai’s or the UAE’s performing arts sector.
They have the presence of an approved financial source, whether it is capital, fixed income, or an employment contract, with one of the recognised institutions; a sponsorship; or a grant through which they can start a private business.
They own a successful and existing investment project, the value of which is not less than AED 2 million.
They have a cumulative experience in the field of performing arts (theater - music - performance - cinema and drama) coupled with proven competence with achievements and distinction.
They are able to present a distinct and tangible theatrical, cinematic, or musical production in their field of specialisation (text - criticism - directing - acting - music - performance) inside or outside the country.
They have an artistic activity that had been noticed by critics, the media, or governmental or private institutions (in the country of residence or other countries) during the last three years.
They hold international awards or certificates of appreciation for the creative work existing in their field of specialisation.
Optional requirements
To be a member of an international association, organisation, or well-known body concerned with the performing arts.
They are the recipients of an award a medal of appreciation in the field of performing arts from well-known entities.
They supported talents in the field of performing arts in the UAE.
The candidate is a university student in the field of performing arts in the country and has creative successes and accomplishments that contributed to activating the movement in the same sector.
Commitments
To pledge to register in the data base of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
To pledge to contribute 36 hours per year from their time as endowment or tacit knowledge to hold free lectures and workshops to help strengthen the cultural endowment in line with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s efforts.
Design:
(Architectural Arts - Fashion Design - Graphic Design - Interior Design - Jewellery Design - Culinary Arts - Manual Game Design)
The candidate’s creative career should not be less than five years.
They are able to provide a distinct and tangible production in their field of specialisation inside or outside the country.
They have the presence of an approved financial source, whether it is capital, fixed income, or an employment contract, with one of the recognised institutions; a sponsorship; or a grant through which they can start a private business.
They own a successful and existing investment project, the value of which is not less than AED 2 million.
They have no less than six influential, distinguished and value-added productions or works in the field of design.
They have creative, clear and tangible contributions in design (fashion - graphics - interior design - jewellery - hand games – culinary), both locally and abroad, during the last three years.
Their work has been noticed by critics, the media, or governmental or private institutions (in the country of residence or other countries) during the last three years.
They are producing works in these fields of high artistic quality that have been displayed, published, and distributed, locally and internationally.
Optional requirements
To be a member of an international association, organisation, or well-known body concerned with the performing arts.
They are the recipients of an award a medal of appreciation in the field of performing arts from well-known entities.
They supported talents in the field of performing arts in the UAE.
The candidate is a university student in the field of performing arts in the country and has creative successes and accomplishments that contributed to activating the movement in the same sector.
Commitments
To pledge to register in the data base of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
To pledge to contribute 36 hours per year from their time as endowment or tacit knowledge to hold free lectures and workshops to help strengthen the cultural endowment in line with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s efforts.
Owners of Intellectual and Cognitive Competence
At least three of the following conditions must apply :
To have a scientific degree with a doctorate degree from one of the 500 best universities in the world, accredited by the Ministry of Education.
To have obtained an award or certificates of appreciation for work in their specialisation.
To have contributions in conducting studies related to their field of work
To have articles, scientific books, or studies in peer-reviewed journals and publications.
To have earned a membership in an organisation related to their field of work that requires distinguished efforts for admittance.
To have practical experience of no less than 10 years in their field of specialisation.
Their areas of specialisation are in specific fields of importance to the country.
Commitments
To pledge to register in the data base of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
To pledge to contribute 36 hours per year from their time as endowment, or or some of their paintings or photos, or tacit knowledge to hold free lectures and workshops to help strengthen the cultural endowment in line with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s efforts.
Procedures and required documents:
1. Apply for this service
Required Documents:
- Copy of the passport and visa
- Copy of the Emirates ID
- The candidate’s resume
- Contact numbers
2. Notifying applicant by email or phone
3. Permit issuance
4. Following up with the concerned entity to issue the long-term residence visa Service delivery channels
info@dubaiculture.ae