UAE Golden Visa Opens for Waqf Donors

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again demonstrated its global leadership in integrating humanitarian values with progressive residency policies. A groundbreaking new category has been added to the highly sought-after UAE Golden Visa program, specifically targeting Waqf donors and philanthropists. This pioneering initiative allows both residents and non-residents who make significant contributions to Islamic charitable endowments (Waqf) to obtain a 10-year Golden Visa, securing their long-term presence and recognizing their vital role in community development.

This move is part of the UAE's strategic vision, anchored in Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, to solidify its position as a global hub for generosity, tolerance, and sustainable humanitarian work. The 10-year Golden Visa for Waqf donors is not merely a residency permit; it is an official token of appreciation for those who champion social responsibility and contribute to the nation's human-centered growth. The UAE Golden Visa framework is constantly evolving, and this Waqf donors category underscores the nation's deep commitment to Waqf, an ancient Islamic tradition of perpetual charitable giving.

The Waqf Golden Visa Category

The new long-term residency opportunity is granted under the category of “financial supporters of humanitarian work.” The initiative is the direct result of a cooperation agreement between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) and the Endowments and Minors Affairs Foundation (Awqaf Dubai).

What is Waqf?

Waqf (plural: Awqaf) is a core concept in Islamic tradition, denoting a perpetual charitable endowment. The donated asset is set aside for the public benefit and is legally barred from being sold, inherited, or used for personal gain. The returns generated from the Waqf asset are used to fund charitable projects.

Definition: A permanent dedication of an asset (land, buildings, cash, or other valuables) for the benefit of the community.

Purpose: To support essential services like education, healthcare, social services, and religious institutions.

Key Feature: The principal asset remains intact and generates revenue in perpetuity for the specified charitable cause, thereby ensuring sustainable humanitarian work.

The Waqf Golden Visa actively promotes this form of Islamic charitable giving by linking it directly to the prestigious 10-year Golden Visa residency program, thereby encouraging more substantial and sustainable humanitarian work globally. The collaboration between GDRFA-Dubai and Awqaf Dubai ensures a seamless and transparent process for recognizing these contributions.

The Strategic Significance of the New Golden Visa

The introduction of the Golden Visa for Waqf donors serves multiple strategic objectives for the UAE:

Attracting Global Philanthropists: It specifically targets Waqf donors and global financial supporters of humanitarian work, inviting them to make the UAE their long-term home.

Reinforcing Humanitarian Status: It firmly embeds humanitarian work and charitable values into the UAE’s legal and social framework, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global center for tolerance and generosity.

Promoting Sustainable Development: By channeling funds into long-term Waqf projects overseen by entities like Awqaf Dubai, the initiative ensures that charitable resources fuel continuous sustainable humanitarian work and community growth.

Expanding Golden Visa Appeal: It broadens the appeal of the UAE Golden Visa beyond investors and specialized talents, to include those recognized for their philanthropic contributions.

Eligibility and Key Requirements for Waqf Donors

To successfully apply for the 10-year Golden Visa under the Waqf donors category, applicants must fulfill a specific set of criteria as outlined in Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022. These requirements focus on the size and nature of the donation, as well as the applicant's background. The minimum donation requirement ensures that the UAE Golden Visa is granted for high-impact charitable giving.

I. Minimum Donation and Qualification

The cornerstone of the eligibility is the required financial contribution to a certified charitable project.

Minimum Donation: A mandatory minimum donation of AED 2 million (two million UAE Dirhams) must be made. This donation must be directed towards a certified Waqf or humanitarian project. This AED 2 million threshold mirrors investment minimums in other Golden Visa categories, maintaining the visa's prestige.

Proof of Contribution: Applicants must provide comprehensive proof of the minimum donation of AED 2 million to the approved Waqf or humanitarian project.

II. Educational and Nomination Criteria

In addition to the financial requirement, the applicant must meet two administrative prerequisites:

University Degree: The applicant must hold at least a university degree or higher academic qualification.

Official Nomination: The applicant must secure a nomination from Awqaf Dubai or another authorized humanitarian institution within the UAE. This nomination confirms the legitimacy of the donation and the donor's philanthropic standing as a financial supporter of humanitarian work.

III. Applicable Applicants

The Waqf Golden Visa is open to a broad group of philanthropists, emphasizing the UAE's commitment to global generosity.

UAE Residents: Individuals currently residing in the UAE who wish to convert their residency to the 10-year Golden Visa.

Non-Residents/International Donors: Individuals residing outside the UAE who make the qualifying Waqf donation and meet the 10-year Golden Visa criteria.

The Step-by-Step Application Process

The application for the UAE Golden Visa as a Waqf donor is a two-phase process: first, securing the nomination from Awqaf Dubai, and second, submitting the residency application to GDRFA-Dubai. The commitment of Awqaf Dubai and GDRFA-Dubai to institutional integration aims to make the application process straightforward for the Waqf donors.

Phase 1: Securing Nomination from Awqaf Dubai

Make the Qualifying Waqf Donation: The potential donor must first initiate and complete the required minimum donation of AED 2 million to an approved Waqf or humanitarian project managed by Awqaf Dubai or an authorized institution.

Request Nomination: The donor must officially request to be nominated by Awqaf Dubai under the category of “financial supporters of humanitarian work.” This involves a vetting process by the foundation to confirm the contribution and the donor's eligibility.

Receive Nomination Certificate: Upon successful review of the Waqf contribution and credentials, Awqaf Dubai issues the official nomination certificate.

Phase 2: Submitting the Golden Visa Application

Once the nomination certificate is secured, the applicant proceeds with the residency application to GDRFA-Dubai.

Application Channels: Submit the UAE Golden Visa application through the official channels:

GDRFA Smart Services portal (online submission).

Any authorized Amer Centre in Dubai (in-person assistance).

Document Submission: Attach all necessary documentation, including:

Official Waqf donation certificate/proof of contribution.

Nomination letter from Awqaf Dubai.

Identity documents (passport copy, photographs).

Proof of academic credentials (university degree).

Supporting paperwork required for the UAE Golden Visa.

Review and Clearance: The application is reviewed by a joint committee established by GDRFA-Dubai and Awqaf Dubai. This joint committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation and ensuring the program achieves its intended social and developmental objectives.

Issuance of Golden Visa: Upon final approval by the joint GDRFA-Awqaf committee, the applicant is granted the 10-year Golden Visa.

 Exclusive Benefits of the 10-Year Golden Visa for Waqf Donors

The 10-year Golden Visa provides Waqf donors with unparalleled stability and benefits, rewarding their dedication to sustainable humanitarian work. These benefits make the UAE an exceptionally attractive jurisdiction for global philanthropists.

I. Long-Term Security and Flexibility

Renewable 10-Year Residency: The primary benefit is a long-term, 10-year renewable residency visa, providing exceptional stability.

No Sponsor Required: The Golden Visa is self-sponsored, eliminating the need for a local employer or individual sponsor.

Extended Stay Abroad: Unlike standard residence visas, the Golden Visa holder is exempt from the typical six-month maximum stay outside the UAE. This flexibility is crucial for international Waqf donors and global philanthropists who travel frequently.

Freedom to Live, Work, and Study: Holders enjoy the full freedom to live, work, and pursue educational opportunities across all seven emirates of the UAE.

II. Family Sponsorship and Support

The benefits of the 10-year Golden Visa extend directly to the donor's family, ensuring the entire family can enjoy long-term residency in the UAE.

Family Sponsorship: The Waqf donor can sponsor their immediate family members:

Spouse

Children (regardless of age)

Parents

Domestic Helper Sponsorship: The visa grants the ability to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic helpers, offering a high quality of life.

Family Security: In the unfortunate event of the primary Golden Visa holder’s passing, the family members are permitted to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.

III. Official Recognition and Community Standing

Perhaps most significantly, the Waqf Golden Visa grants official recognition to the donor as a valued financial supporter of humanitarian work. This enhances the individual's standing within the community, fostering deeper engagement with the UAE's social development ecosystem.

 Aligning Charity with Long-Term Strategy

The UAE Golden Visa for Waqf donors is a powerful testament to the UAE’s philosophy of rewarding philanthropy with stability and opportunity. By setting the minimum donation of AED 2 million as the financial entry point, the government has ensured that the program attracts serious Waqf donors whose contributions will have a significant and lasting impact on sustainable humanitarian work.

The partnership between GDRFA-Dubai and Awqaf Dubai is a model of government integration, aimed at empowering endowers (donors) to play a crucial, long-term role in community development. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA-Dubai, emphasized this point, stating that the agreement "represents a pioneering model of government integration that empowers endowers to play a vital role in community development." Ali Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of Awqaf Dubai, echoed this, confirming that the initiative "aligns with Dubai's vision of positioning endowment work as a key driver of sustainable development."

The expansion of the UAE Golden Visa to include Waqf donors ensures that the nation’s growth is not just economic but is deeply rooted in charitable and humanitarian values. For international Waqf donors, this 10-year Golden Visa offers a secure base from which to manage their global philanthropic activities while enjoying the high quality of life, safety, and cultural richness of the UAE.

In conclusion, the 10-year Golden Visa for Waqf donors is a monumental step that fuses Islamic charitable principles with modern immigration policy, creating a new, compelling pathway to long-term residency for those dedicated to sustainable humanitarian work. The UAE Golden Visa program continues to attract the world's best and most generous, ensuring the nation remains a beacon of progress and philanthropy.