
Golden Visa puts UAE among top 10 countries that offer best opportunities for the next generation
The UAE has been ranked among the world's top 10 countries whose investment migration programme offers the best opportunities for the next generation.
The UAE has been ranked seventh with high scores in top-tier employment prospects, earning potential, and economic mobility, according to the Henley Opportunity Index released by Henley and Partners.
The UAE has also been placed high in premium education, high livability and career advancement.
With a total opportunity score of 67 per cent, the UAE has been ranked above Austria, New Zealand, Italy, Hong Kong, Latvia, Malta, Hungary, Greece and Portugal.
The index evaluates the world's top investment migration destinations across six parameters — earning potential, career advancement, top-tier employment prospects, premium education, economic mobility and high livability.
'Investment migration routes such as the UAE's Golden Visa and New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa offer next-generation opportunity advantages,' Henley and Partners said.
The UAE has introduced several long-term residency schemes such as a 10-year Golden Visa for property buyers, investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students among others. Similarly, long-term residency includes a Retirement Visa and Blue Visa for sustainability thought leaders among others.
Thousands of investors and property buyers have been awarded a 10-year Golden Visa since its launch in 2019. Many millionaires from around the world have made the UAE their home by purchasing properties over Dh2 million, making them eligible for the 10-year residency scheme.
'As Dubai and Abu Dhabi solidify their positions as key wealth hubs, career opportunities are expanding rapidly, attracting industry leaders exploring opportunities in a competitive and well-connected global market. The UAE stands out as a leading economic centre, where rapid progress is fuelled by the strong presence of multinational companies. It attracts individuals highly skilled in engineering, mathematics, private healthcare, science, and technology, fostering an international workforce and extensive networking possibilities,' Henley and Partners said.
'Offering a blend of innovation, connectivity, and progressive industries, the UAE is a top destination for those seeking sustained professional success,' it added.
Switzerland leads the ranking of top investment migration programmes for accessing opportunities, with a total score of 84 per cent, followed by Singapore, the US, Australia, Canada and the UK.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Can new businessman get Golden Visa immediately after investing Dh2 million in property?
Question: I am a businessman who is planning to move to Dubai. Can I invest in property to get a Golden Visa? What are the rules? And do I become eligible for the long-term visa as soon as I make the investment? Can you help detail the process? Answer: In the UAE, a Golden Visa can be granted to an investor who owns one or more real estate properties having a value of not less than Dh2 million, provided that such real estate property may be owned by the investor, singly or jointly. This is in accordance with Article 8 of the Annex Attached to the Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022 Issuing the Executive Regulations of Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021 Concerning the Foreigners Entry and Residence Regulating Golden Residence Permits: '1. The investor shall own one or more real estate property with a total value of not less than (Dh2,000,000) two million dirhams, and the real estate property is wholly owned by the investor. It may be a loan, on condition that the loan is from one of the local banks determined by the competent local authority; '2. The real estate property investor shall when buying one or more real estate property units off the map with a total value of not less than (Dh2,000,000) two million dirhams, on condition that the purchase is made from local companies approved by the competent local authority; and '3. The investor shall have a comprehensive health insurance for himself and his family members throughout the validity term of the residence permit or in accordance with the terms set by the competent local authority. ' Upon approval from the competent authorities, a 10-year long-term residence permit is issued. This Golden Residence Permit allows eligible foreigners and their families to reside independently in the UAE without a guarantor for work, investment, or business, subject to specified terms and conditions. This is under the Article (1) of the annexure attached to the 'Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022' 'The ICA may – after the approval of the competent authorities, as the case may be – issue a long-term residence permit for a period of ten years. The Golden Residence Permit shall be subject to renewal, for certain categories of foreigners and their families, allowing them to self-reside without the need for the Guarantor/the Host Party inside the State for work, investment, business start-up or stay in the State in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this resolution.' The procedural steps for obtaining the Golden Visa based on real estate property investment include: Acquisition of qualifying property Registration of ownership and issuance of a title deed by Dubai Land Department Submission of the Golden Visa application through the DLD, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, or designated smart platforms (e.g., Dubai REST) Completion of supporting formalities, including medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration Issuance of a 10-year residency visa, subject to continued compliance with eligibility requirements. Based on the aforementioned provisions of the law, as a businessman intending to move to Dubai, you may be eligible for the UAE Golden Visa upon investing in real estate property with a minimum investment of Dh2 million, subject to the conditions set by the competent local authority. For detailed guidance and to initiate the application, you may contact the GDRFA or apply through the DLD or any authorised smart platform.


Al Etihad
25-05-2025
- Al Etihad
UAE emerging as a major hub for wealth management professionals: Expert
25 May 2025 23:15 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)A growing affluent population, tech-driven financial services, and forward-looking policies are propelling the UAE towards becoming a leading regional wealth hub, according to global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M)."Over the past five years, the UAE has witnessed a significant influx of skilled professionals, driven by its progressive stance on long-term residency, including initiatives like the Golden Visa, in addition to strategic investments in technological innovation," Pierre Legrand, Financial Services Digital Leader for EMEA at A&M, told Aletihad. These individuals are driving the rise of a digitally savvy, upper-mass affluent demographic, seeking more seamless, digital engagement with financial services providers. "This represents an incredible opportunity for traditional banks and neo players to capture a profitable segment that is looking to grow their wealth through properties, diversified investments, and a range of lifestyle services tailored to their needs," added Legrand."Banks that are ready to move decisively will be able to tap into a new mass affluent segment that is willing to pay for value-added services that support their financial aspirations."The UAE's regulatory environment is also playing a pivotal role as a growth catalyst by attracting investments and talent. According to Legrand, initiatives such as free zones, competitive taxation, and substantial government investment in digital assets and AI are creating fertile ground for fintech and digital wealth platforms. "This combination of regulatory flexibility and forward-looking investment allows fintech firms to thrive and lays a strong foundation for the growth of digital wealth management," he said."Firms investing in these segments will be well placed to capitalise on access to these new technologies to better align with their clients' growing needs in the region." A key development transforming the sector is the rise of AI-powered tools, according to Legend. He explained how relationship managers, once focused mainly on onboarding and financial planning, are now equipped with intelligent systems that detect customer "moments of truth" such as changes in spending patterns or life events like a job change. "New technologies will allow advisors to more robustly engage with customers in 'real life'. This dynamic approach will enable course corrections and tailored opportunities to enhance clients' wealth in a way that works for them and when they need it most - whether that's through digital tools or face-to-face," he agentic AI driving greater access, the mass affluent segment represents today's most dynamic opportunity for growth, Legend said. "This segment is digitally savvy, highly responsive, and profitable if engaged on their terms, which means delivering experiences with the same convenience and personalisation as found in consumer-level digital interactions [e.g. tailored content - Netflix, Spotify, YouTube]," he explained. He believes that firms that can integrate personal data with lifestyle and financial goals to create a 'family office in your pocket' will win this market. Whether traditional financial institutions remain competitive or not will rely on their ability to transition their technological architecture to support new, customer-centric services within a digital service model, Legend added. "Currently, banks service mass affluent customers through undifferentiated mass retail platforms that offer little personalisation," he explained. "In the future, a key competitive differentiator will be a bank's ability to embed more advanced personal financial management (PFM) capabilities, and open banking for a more holistic view of assets, and agentic guidance based on assessing clients' transaction data."Even as technology transforms the mechanics of wealth management, Legend maintains that the human element will remain indispensable. "Services like financial planning and investment modelling can be effectively handled by agentic solutions," he said."However, taking a final decision on a mortgage for an investment property, or moving to a self-managed pension, are high-stakes decisions that would benefit immensely from human help. Mass affluent users, in particular, will want to use digital tools like in-app video to engage with their relationship manager at the right moment in this journey."Looking ahead, Legrand said that the defining competitive advantage that will differentiate financial services players in the market will be a "relentless focus" on the customer journey. Success will depend on delivering a seamless 80/20 hybrid experience - digital first, with strategic human touchpoints, he added.


Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi ranks second globally in resident satisfaction
22 May 2025 20:59 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI) Abu Dhabi has emerged as one of the world's most admired cities, ranking second globally in resident satisfaction, according to Gensler's newly released City Pulse 2025 findings. The report aims to provide an alternative metric for measuring emotional connection alongside factors like liveability and economic City Pulse 2025 report — based on insights from over 33,000 residents across 65 cities on six continents — found that 92% of Abu Dhabi residents were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their city, the second highest after Shanghai. Dubai ranked fourth with a score of 91%. 'UAE cities are some of the most admired globally for their quality of infrastructure and ambition,' said Tim Martin, Co-Managing Director and Principal at Gensler Middle East. Finding a Sense of Home Gensler's analysis suggests that satisfaction alone does not equate to loyalty. Residents are most likely to stay in places that not only provide top-class amenities but also those that foster strong emotional ties, including joy, pride, and a sense of home.'If the last two decades were about building world-class infrastructure, the next era must be about building world-class belonging,' Martin added. 'A truly magnetic city is one people don't just move to — it's one they stay in, raise families in, and feel deeply connected to. That's the opportunity for the UAE.'Martin said this insight is especially relevant for Abu Dhabi as it aligns with national strategies like 'We the UAE 2031 and Vision 2071', both of which aim emphasise human-centric growth and talent retention. He highlighted that the country had already taken proactive steps through Golden Visa programmes and innovation clusters designed to attract global talent. Gensler's report frames cities not just as economic engines but as 'emotional ecosystems.'Their findings show that one in three people globally is considering leaving their city, and the most important factor keeping them rooted isn't job opportunities or public services — it's whether they feel emotionally at its success, Martin cautioned that Abu Dhabi was not immune to global trends. The report highlights affordability as the top global factor influencing residents' decisions to move. With rising living costs, even cities with high satisfaction scores must address economic inclusion to maintain long-term appeal, the report said. Gensler said that for Abu Dhabi, this means expanding beyond traditional infrastructure metrics and investing in community cohesion, accessible housing, and inclusive design that invites all residents to participate in city life.'As we look to the future, especially with Vision 2071 and 'We the UAE 2031' in mind, the challenge is not just to attract talent, but to root it,' Martin said. 'Long-term city vitality will depend on how emotionally connected residents feel, to their neighbourhoods, to public life and to the idea of staying for decades.'