Dubai has issued more than 167,000 Golden Visas to family members of specialised professionals since 2021, reinforcing the emirate’s strategy to attract skilled residents and encourage long-term settlement.
According to data from the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, 167,124 residencies were granted to families of specialised talents between 2021 and the first quarter of 2026. The figures were highlighted around the International Day of Families, as Dubai authorities underlined the growing role of family stability in the emirate’s immigration policy.
Dubai Strengthens Its Position as a Long-Term Residency Hub
The Golden Visa programme has become one of Dubai’s key tools for attracting professionals, investors, scientists, entrepreneurs and other high-value residents. By extending residency benefits to close family members, the emirate is making relocation more practical for people who want to build their careers while keeping their families with them.
The latest figures show that Dubai’s long-term residency policy is not focused only on individual workers. It is also aimed at creating a more stable environment for families who plan to live, work and invest in the city for many years.
In addition to specialised professionals, Dubai also issued more than 100,000 residencies to families of real estate investors, over 70,000 to families of scientists and specialists, more than 37,000 to families of investors, and over 3,000 to families of retirees. Residencies were also granted to entrepreneurs, outstanding students and people recognised for humanitarian contributions.
Digital Services Become a Key Part of Dubai’s Migration Strategy
Dubai is also expanding its digital residency and immigration services to make visa-related procedures faster and easier for residents. These services include family residency applications, visit visas for relatives and friends, passport renewal and replacement, updates to family records, and certificates related to travel movement.
The move supports Dubai’s broader goal of becoming one of the world’s leading cities for living and working. Authorities have linked the development of residency services with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, both of which focus on quality of life, family stability, talent attraction and investment growth.
For skilled migrants and their families, the expansion of Golden Visa access signals that Dubai is positioning itself not only as a temporary work destination, but as a city where professionals can plan a longer future. The combination of long-term residency options, family inclusion and digital immigration services makes the emirate increasingly attractive for global talent looking for security, mobility and stability.
