The first long-term Cultural Visa in the world
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the first long-term cultural visa in the world in 2019 to position Dubai as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
The long-term cultural visa is granted to creative talents in the fields of literature and culture; arts; heritage, history, and cognitive studies; and creative industries.
Criteria and conditions - individuals specialising in one of the following fields: art and design, heritage, culture, or performing arts
Creative portfolio
The applicant’s creative profile must include a distinct artistic production in a creative field that is personal in nature and has a positive impact on the community. The profile should also showcase the applicant’s artistic journey, which should be no less than five years, and participations in art galleries, auctions, exhibitions, ceremonies, museums, and events, among others. Also highlighted must be their academic contributions and activities that have had an impact on younger generations and represented a source of inspiration for them.
• Creative profile (the main information contained in the file: name, specialisation, nationality) • Experiences • Artistic productions or services (including achievements, contributions, and participations)
Awards and recognitions
All recognitions, such as medals, prizes, and certificates of appreciation, from renowned parties/organisations must be stated clearly as part of an applicant’s creative journey. Each award must be accompanied with a short description that includes the purpose of the work, when the recognition/award was granted, and the granting entity. A list of regional or international awards and recognitions with their details
Community contributions
The applicant’s documents must include a detailed overview of involvement in community programmes that involve creative and cultural contributions as well as an explanation of the creative work done in support of respective programmes’ goals and agendas. A list of community contributions (including voluntary work), a brief description of the involved-in fields, the number of volunteered hours, the impact on the community.
Academic credentials
Attested educational certificates must be included with the submissions as well as any accreditations obtained by the applicant or records of training courses that they had completed. • The most recent degree obtained by the applicant in their field of specialisation. • A list of training courses and certificates related to the technical field.
Memberships and affiliations
Any membership obtained by the applicant from an NGO or any cultural and creative organisations must be listed. • A list of memberships and names of local and international organisations.
Employment type
The type of work performed by an applicant based on practiced hours is to be mentioned, whether in a full- or part-time employment capacity, or even if it’s on a freelance basis or as a self-employed individual. The entities than the applicant had supported or worked with must be mentioned.
Income sustainability/financial stability
Applicants are to provide sources of income detailing legitimate income generation.
• A one-year bank statement must be submitted • Proof of a minimum annual income of AED120,000
Criteria and conditions - cultural and creative companies
Company profile
A company brief that includes the nature of the business (proof of specialty in the cultural and creative field).
Trade license.
Years of operation.
Services scope. Customers.
Company achievements and its impact to the community.
Applicant portfolio
The applicant’s creative portfolio must include distinct and tangible artistic productions in their field of specialisation, including activities, experiences, productions or creative services and personal achievements that have had a positive impact on society. The profile should also showcase an applicant’s artistic career path and participation over the past five years. Also it must include the academic contributions and activities that have had an impact on younger generations and represented a source of inspiration for them.
• Creative profile (the main information contained in the file: name, specialisation, nationality).
• Experiences.
• Artistic production or services (including achievements, contributions, and participations).
Awards and recognition
All recognitions, such as artistic awards or certificates of appreciation obtained by the applicant from accredited and renowned bodies must be accompanied with a short description that includes the purpose of the work, when the recognition/award was granted, and the granting entity.
A list of regional or international awards and recognitions with their details
Community contributions
The applicant›s documents must include a detailed overview of involvement in community programmes that involve creative and cultural contributions as well as an explanation of the creative work done in support of respective programmes’ goals and agendas.
A list of community contributions (including voluntary work), a brief description of the involved-in fields, the number of volunteered hours, the impact on the community.
Academic credentials
Attested educational certificates must be included with the submissions as well as any accreditations obtained by the applicant or records of training courses that they had completed.
The most recent college degree obtained by the applicant. A list of training courses and certificates related to the creative and cultural field only.
Memberships and Affiliations
Any membership obtained by the applicant from an NGO or any cultural and creative organisations must be listed.
• A list of memberships and names of local and international organisations.
Income statement and investment portfolio
Applicants are to provide sources of income and their details as well as disclosing any other investments.
• A one-year bank statement must be submitted • Proof of a minimum annual income of AED120,000
Terms & Conditions:
Dubai Culture reserves the right to amend or remove any of the terms stipulated in this document, or add on to them, at any time as it deems appropriate.
Obtaining an approval or a permit issuance from Dubai Culture does not comprise a final approval; it is a conditional approval as part of the required procedures to obtain other approvals from local and/or federal authorities concerned with issuing the visa.
Procedures and required documents:
1. The service request must be submitted via culturalvisa@dubaiculture.ae accompanied by the following documents:
• Passport and visa copies.
• A copy of the Emirates ID.
• The candidate’s resume.
• Contact numbers.
• Address and place of residence.
2. Applicants will be notified of the approval by email or phone.
3. An accreditation permit for the applicant will be issued.
4. Applicants need to visit the accredited office for the issuing of the long-term residence visa.