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UAE Introduces Consular Services for Golden Visa Holders · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: The United Arab Emirates has launched consular services for golden visa holders that were previously exclusive to Emirati citizens, marking what officials describe as a global first in resident support.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also known as MOFA, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, or ICP, unveiled the initiative at GIDEX Global 2025 on October 14th.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_00: The services include emergency assistance abroad, electronic passport replacement, 24-hour crisis response, and coordination of mortal remains repatriation.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: Golden Visa holders and their dependents with valid residence permits can access support through a dedicated hotline and digital platforms.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: Golden Visa holders who lose their passport while traveling can request an electronic return document through the MOFA website or app using UAE Pass.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: Applicants must submit a copy of the lost passport report, golden visa details, and a recent passport photo with a white background.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: MOFA issues the document within 30 minutes in most cases, valid for one entry into the UAE within seven days of issuance.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: The ministry has established a 24-hour hotline at plus 97124931133 that provides immediate assistance with emergencies, embassy contact, and consular guidance.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: When a golden visa holder passes away abroad, the UAE coordinates the repatriation of mortal remains through the relevant country's UAE mission or the hotline.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: Families must provide the deceased's passport, death certificate, and necessary local documents.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: Omar Obaid Al-Haysan al-Shamsi, Under Secretary at MOFA, framed the services as part of the UAE's strategy to attract skilled professionals, investors, and innovators.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Major General Suhail Said Al-Khaili, Director General of ICP, characterized the initiative as a qualitative leap in cross-agency integration that delivers human-centered solutions for distinguished residents.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: Jeremy Savory, CEO of Savory and Partners, considers the announcement excellent news and believes, quote, the UAE is setting a new standard here.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: He characterizes the UAE as such a forward-thinking country and feels very fortunate to have relocated when I did, end quote.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: He acknowledges that while the country's lifestyle is not for everyone, he finds the value proposition compelling.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: When examining global conditions, particularly, quote, the instability affecting even the UK and US, the contrast is clear, end quote, according to Savory.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_00: What impresses him most is how they keep adding tangible value for residents.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: He notes that, quote, the value add just keeps on going.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: And normally you would see a price change if you create more value like this, end quote.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: Savory notes that the program has evolved considerably and explains there are now seven distinct pathways to qualification, including a category for individuals of strategic importance to the country.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: The Golden Visa program offers multiple pathways to qualification beyond real estate investment, including employment-based applications, financial investment in companies, and equity stakes.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: Savory says the Golden Visa is still extremely popular among applicants seeking long-term residency options.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: He says that, quote, the UAE has done an impressive job aligning the Golden Visa with its national priorities while expanding access across different sectors, end quote.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_00: He observes that his firm is now seeing a much broader applicant profile than when the program launched.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: Savory argues that the UAE isn't simply competing with traditional European residence programs, but rather operating in a different space entirely, attracting talent and capital that might not have considered the Middle East before.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: He notes that, quote, the value proposition keeps improving, and typically you'd expect costs to rise when benefits expand like this, end quote, revealing that the golden visa remains highly sought after.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: Beyond minimal stay requirements, Savory emphasizes that the Golden Visa offers practical financial advantages.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: For banking purposes, he explains, quote, it helps international investors from more challenged nationalities position themselves differently from a financial perspective as much as geographic, end quote.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_00: Since the UAE joined the OECD whitelist, according to Savory, clients have benefited from smoother transactions all the way to preferential mortgage rates.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_00: Jeffrey Henseler, chairman of Passport Legacy and IMI Person of the Year, views the move as more than procedural.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: According to Hensler, the initiative demonstrates that, quote, the Golden Visa isn't just about staying in the country, but more about being part of it, end quote.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: He interprets the consular expansion as a response to long-standing perceptions about residency in the UAE.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: Critics have maintained accusations that you will never get the passport, or that the country only cares about what you bring to the country and not about you as a person.
• 5:19
  SPEAKER_00: He argues that the 10-year golden visa addressed earlier reputation issues around the requirement that residents without employment leave within 30 days or three months, depending on passport type.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: The new consular services tackle remaining concerns that you're never really home, it's never really your home.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: He contrasts this with European Union countries such as Cyprus and Greece, which he suggests do not need to defend similar reputations.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: The initiative may function partly as what Hensler describes as maybe a PR initiative to address perceptions, particularly strong in Middle Eastern contexts.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: Hensler expects most cases will route through the UAEPass app or hotline rather than requiring extensive consular intervention, given the existing digital infrastructure.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: But the symbolic value matters to his clients.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: Hensel frames the development in practical terms.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_00: He notes that Dubai has become home for many investors, and knowing that the government supports you even when you're abroad gives a real sense of belonging.
• 6:20
  SPEAKER_00: People invest in Dubai not only because of the returns, but because of the lifestyle and safety, according to Hensler.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: He argues that these new measures add another layer of trust by demonstrating that when you build your life here, the country stands behind you, and that's a big deal.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: The Golden Visa program launched in 2019 as a long-term residency option that allows foreign residents to live, work, and study without a local sponsor.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: Initial categories targeted investors, entrepreneurs, top students, scientists, frontline heroes, and specialists across various fields.
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_00: Recent expansions have broadened eligibility to include content creators and teachers.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: The consular services launch aligns with the 2025 national theme Year of Community that President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayat al-Neyyan declared, the initiative extends emergency and evacuation planning, previously limited to Emirati citizens, to include long-term residents during global crises and natural disasters.
• 7:22
  SPEAKER_00: The UAE Pass app, which all residents can access, centralizes services ranging from health documents to court cases and vehicle impoundment records.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: This existing digital infrastructure provides a foundation for the new consular support system.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_00: The physical presence of dedicated services represents a departure from purely app-based assistance.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_00: This episode first appeared as an article by Amada Bas on IMIDAily.com.
• 7:51
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• 7:57
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