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Dubai has launched the first long-term cultural visa for artists, authors, and innovators, the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the UAE announced today.
A creative free zone will also be established in Al Quoz in Dubai, according to the official twitter of account of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
“I chaired a meeting with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority to launch a new cultural vision to utilize and unify efforts of our 6,000 art and culture companies, 5 creative clusters, 20 museums and over 550 annual cultural events that can position Dubai as a global art destination,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“We will establish 7 ‘Schools of Life,’ cultural centers to equip young generations with life skills in art, innovation, and creativity,” he added.
The ruler of Dubai also approved launching Dubai’s architectural identity and the “Art for Good” global exhibition that will raise funds for good causes.
He also added that a new international literature season will feature a book fair and events to draw more than two million visitors.
Earlier in May this year, the UAE launched a permanent residency system for investors and exceptionally skilled foreigners. Read more here:
Abu Dhabi is also positioning itself as a major cultural hub in the region with several new museums set for opening after the launch of 'Louvre Abu Dhabi'. Read more here:
“The UAE government has been increasingly vocal about its desire to align itself globally, as a knowledge and creative-based economy, and this new long-term cultural visa is a perfect example of this,” Anir Chatterji, Director and Middle East Immigration & Employment Leader at PwC told Zawya.
“These new visa categories are designed to attract a certain cadre and calibre of creative professionals to invest in the UAE and assist in shaping its economy to one on par with international standards and best practice and facilitate the fruition of the UAE’s bold Vision 2021,” he added.
PwC’s Chatterji noted that there are variations of the cultural visa for various countries, differing in duration, type and conditions.
“For example, in the UK, there is a 12-month temporary creative and sporting visa, which is open to creative workers operating in the creative or sporting industry,” he said.
The UAE has over the past several years taken significant strides to diversify its economy from its historical oil dependency to a much more knowledge-based and knowledge-driven economy, fostering and cultivating creative and scientific talents and skills, according to Chatterji.
“The impact of this new visa is likely to propel further the UAE’s image as go-to destination for culture and arts at a more global scale and cement further the UAE’s Vision 2021 goals,” he added.
(Writing by Nada Al Rifai; editing by Seban Scaria)
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