UAE Golden Visa Holders: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bollywood Icons, and Global Celebrities Among Recipients

The Golden Visa program of the UAE launched in 2019 still brings in the world talents and household industry names in different sectors. Formulated to provide 5- to 10-year stay to investors, businesspersons, innovators, researchers, and sports stars, the program has already invited thousands of people, including a constantly extended rows of foreign celebrities who consider the UAE their new place of residence.

One of the first and most prominent ones remains the famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who acquired his Golden Visa in 2020. The Portuguese star Ronaldo spends much of his leisure time with his family in the city of Dubai where he often holidays. He is a good friend of the Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Another prestigious visa recipient is celebrity chef Izu Ani, whose brainchild includes the best restaurants in UAE, such as Gaia, Alaya, and Carine. The British-Nigerian chef was given his Golden Vas in 2021.

In 2021 the visa was also granted to global fashion designer Giorgio Armani who opened the exclusive Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa. He was a convenient choice to host the show because of his years-long experience in the luxury landscape in Dubai.

Entrepreneurs and influencers are getting an audience as well. Palestinian-Canadian businesswoman and digital influencer Ola Farahat got her Golden Visa in March 2022, Ameni Esseibi, the first ever curve model of the Middle East, celebrated her Golden Visa in January 2022.

In October 2024, popular Lebanese singer Elissa was added to the list, further increasing the good cultural representation in the region.

In the meantime, Egyptian pop star Mohamed Ramadan received the visa in 2020, and he has been making moves in the UAE music industry and even shoots his music video in Dubai.

In 2021 Sanjay Dutt, a veteran of Bollywood industry, was awarded the Golden Visa and wrote on social media that he plans to support the UAE in any way possible.

These familiar personalities indicate that the UAE is one of the destinations of world talent, creativity, and innovation.