Record-Breaking 158,000 Golden Visas Issued in Dubai in 2023

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) issued 158,000 golden visas in 2023, nearly double the 79,617 issued in 2022, and significantly more than the 47,150 in 2021.

Golden visas, which can last up to 10 years, are granted to individuals in various categories, including outstanding students and property investors. The director-general of GDRFA Dubai announced future plans to enhance passenger services and predict passenger numbers at Dubai airports using AI.

In addition to the surge in golden visa issuances, the Department processed 3,518,000 transactions in the first quarter of the current year. Last year, total transactions exceeded 19 million, and over 60 million travelers passed through Dubai’s ports by air, land and sea.