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7/1/25, 11:34 AM UAE expands Golden Visa to attract top global talent in AI, climate and tech sector - Times of India

UAE expands Golden Visa to attract top global talent in

AI, climate and tech sector

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 30, 2025, 05.00 PM IST
The UAE's widely-recognised Golden Visa programme, once a magnet
primarily for foreign capital and real estate investment, is undergoing a
fundamental transformation. Initially introduced in 2019 to attract long-term
foreign residents through investment-led pathways, the programme is now
zeroing in on specialised talent, especially in artificial intelligence, climate
tech, and advanced digital sectors.
This evolution reflects a larger strategic ambition: not just to host wealth,
but to cultivate a workforce aligned with the country’s economic and
innovation goals. The shift became especially pronounced post-2023,
when the government moved beyond its pandemic-era push for capital
influx and began empowering key federal entities, including the Ministry of
Culture, Ministry of Sports, and the Abu Dhabi Residents Office, to identify
and attract high-value individuals worldwide.
Rather than focusing solely on monetary investments, authorities are now increasingly evaluating applicants based on their
capacity to contribute to local ecosystems, whether through technical expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, or sector-specific
knowledge.

Rising Numbers and Strategic Talent hunt

According to industry observers, among them Gaurav Keswani, founder and managing director of JSB, a Dubai-based advisory
firm specialising in company formation and visa services, the UAE is now actively targeting professionals in emerging technology
and sustainability sectors. Speaking to local news outlet Khaleej Times, Keswani noted that the Golden Visa programme has
shifted focus from purely investment-led entry to attracting individuals who can contribute long-term value. Data from 2023
reveals that 158,000 Golden Visas were granted in Dubai alone, underscoring both the scale and strategic success of the
initiative.
Among these recipients:

40% were investors
60% came from other high-value categories
22% were professionals from banking and non-banking sectors, including those in AI and climate change roles

including a growing segment of individuals working in AI, IoT, cloud computing, and environmental solutions.

This approach mirrors the UAE’s parallel push to become a hub for global finance and innovation. Over the past few years, eight
of the world’s top 20 hedge funds have set up offices in the UAE, collectively managing an estimated $48 billion in business. But
this influx of capital has created an equally urgent demand for executive talent, from CEOs and CTOs to AI consultants and
infrastructure architects, capable of scaling these operations.

“The government has realised that investment alone doesn’t build a sustainable economy,” Keswani explained. “There’s now a
visible focus on people who can actively shape and grow industries, not just fund them.”

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