Dubai’s Cultural Visa

Dubai’s Cultural Visa

Dubai’s Cultural Visa

The UAE is the first country to launch a cultural visa. The cultural visa was launched in 2019 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The aim was to position the UAE as an international center for culture, creativity, and a hub for talent.

The Dubai Cultural Visa is issued by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. (Dubai GDRFA). It is a 10 – year visa issued to talents in the fields of literature, creative industries, history, arts, and culture. The visa is presently available for people living in the UAE.

What Are The Requirements For A Dubai Cultural Visa?

A person looking to get a Dubai Cultural Visa has to meet at least five conditions from the mandatory criteria below:

Literature Applicants:

These include story-writers, novel-writers, poets e.t.c.
  • The applicant’s career must not be less than 10 years.
  • They must be able to present literary production in their fields.
  • They must have a minimum of 6 distinguished publications in their field.
  • They must have clear and tangible creative contributions locally and abroad within the last 3 years.
  • They are required to have literary activities that have been noticed by the media, the government, critics, and private institutions within the last 3 years.

Performing Arts:

These include theatrical performances, music performances, and dance performances.
  • The applicant’s artistic career should be up to 10 years.
  • They are required to own a successful and investment project which should be worth AED 2 million.
  • They are required to have global awards for their work.
  • They are required to have proven experience, achievements, and competence.
  • They are required to have artistic activities that have been noticed by the media, the government, critics, and private institutions within the last 3 years.

Fine Arts

These include people that make sculptures, calligraphy, handicraft, and photography.
  • The applicant must have contributed to their field of specialization for at least 3 years.
  • They are required to be recipients of an artistic award from accredited bodies or a medal of expression in the same field.
  • They are mandated to possess advanced and recognized technical capabilities in their field of specialization.
  • They must have boosted the creative economy through partnership or ownership or must have grants or scholarships with which they intend to start their work.
  • They are required to be capable of producing tangible work in their fields.

To discover more details on compulsory and optional requirements for Dubai cultural visas, visit the official website.

What Are The Steps In Obtaining A Dubai Cultural Visa?

  • Apply for a cultural visa.
    • To apply for the cultural visa, you need to first apply for the ‘Creative and Talented Accreditation’ service through the email ID info@dubaiculture.ae or the Dubai Culture app which is available on App Store and Google Play.
  • Submit the required documents.
    • Copy of your passport and visa.
    • Copy of your Emirates ID
    • Your Resume
    • Your contact number and email address
    • These documents should be attached alongside your application.
  • Notification by email or phone.
    • Once you have submitted the required forms, you will receive a notification via your phone or email.
  • Your permit will be issued
  • You are required to follow up with the concerned entity to issue the long-term residence visa.

If your application is approved, you will receive a certificate of accreditation for getting a long-term cultural visa to be issued by GDRFA in Dubai.

Once you are granted the visa, you can renew it automatically without the need of an Emirati sponsor.

Call us if you have inquiries regarding Dubai Cultural Visa.