5 New Professionals Who Qualify to Get the UAE Golden Visa

The UAE Golden Visa has become one of the most attractive long-term residency options in the world, especially for skilled workers and professionals hoping to live and work in the Emirates. 

Recently, the program expanded once again and this time, five new professional categories have been added to the eligibility list.

If you’ve been dreaming about living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere else in the UAE, your chances might have just improved.

What is the UAE Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa is a long-term residency program launched by the UAE government to attract talent, investment, and expertise into the country. It allows foreigners to live, work, or study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor.

Originally created for investors, entrepreneurs, and top-tier professionals, the visa has now been extended to include a wider range of skilled individuals across different sectors.

The Five New Professional Categories

Here are the five new groups of professionals who can now apply for the UAE Golden Visa:

1. Business and Administrative Professionals
   This includes project managers, business development officers, and others in similar roles who bring strategic value to companies.
   
2. Education Professionals
   Teachers, education consultants, and specialists in curriculum development are now eligible, especially those contributing to the improvement of the UAE’s education system.
   
3. Legal Experts
   Qualified legal professionals such as legal advisers and law consultants can now benefit from the Golden Visa, particularly if they have strong experience or credentials.
   
4. Media and Culture Professionals
   People working in creative industries — including journalists, content creators, media consultants, and cultural experts — have been added to the list. This reflects the UAE’s growing interest in expanding its creative economy.
   
5. Social Workers and Related Specialists
   Professionals involved in social care, counselling, and community development can now apply. This move supports the UAE’s focus on social stability and mental health awareness.
   

Why this matters

The expansion of the Golden Visa program sends a strong message, the UAE is looking beyond traditional fields like finance, engineering, and tech. It is opening its doors to more everyday professionals whose work has real social and cultural value.

This also means that skilled Nigerians (and others from across Africa and beyond) in these fields may now have a better chance of building a long-term future in the UAE.

How to apply

Applicants need to meet certain conditions, such as educational qualifications, experience, and sometimes salary benchmarks. The visa can be valid for up to 10 years, offering stability and freedom to work without a local sponsor. 

Applications are usually submitted through the UAE’s official immigration platforms.