Golden Visa for Teachers, Nurses, Content Creators and Gamers: What Is Official

Between 2024 and 2025, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah announced Golden Visa pathways for professions that had not been targeted before. Social media has since blurred these into claims of a new nationwide scheme. Here is what the official announcements actually say.

First, an important point about "new categories"

The federal Golden Visa page on u.ae (updated July 2026) still lists five categories: investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents and specialists, outstanding students, and humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes. There is no separate federal category for teachers, nurses, creators or gamers. The schemes below are emirate-level programmes or nomination routes into existing categories. ICP still issues the visa.

You may see blogs claiming a federal expansion in April 2026 covering these professions. We found no announcement from the UAE Cabinet, WAM or ICP to support that.

Teachers and educators

Dubai

Announced on 5 October 2024 (World Teachers' Day) by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and run by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). It covers exceptional educators in Dubai private early childhood centres, schools and KHDA-licensed higher education institutions: principals and leaders, teachers, and full-time faculty.

• Criteria: significant contribution to the sector, student academic success and positive community feedback.
• How: your institution nominates you through KHDA. You cannot apply on your own.
• Results so far: in October 2025 Dubai announced that 223 of 435 applicants in the first round were approved: 157 from schools, 60 from universities and 6 from early childhood centres. Dubai Media Office said selection did not consider nationality, gender or length of tenure.

Ras Al Khaimah

Launched on 14 November 2024 by the RAK Department of Knowledge for private school leaders (principals, vice principals, directors) and teachers. Requirements include at least 3 years of residency and employment in RAK, a relevant advanced degree, and a demonstrated positive impact on school performance. RAK's Department of Knowledge confirms eligibility and ICP processes the visa.

Nurses

On 12 May 2025 (International Nurses Day), Sheikh Hamdan directed Golden Visas for nursing staff at Dubai Health with more than 15 years of service, as reported by Dubai Media Office and WAM. We found no official source extending this to nurses at private hospitals or in other emirates, so treat any such claim with caution.

Content creators

Creators HQ opened in Dubai in January 2025 during the 1 Billion Followers Summit, with a stated aim of attracting 10,000 creators. It describes itself as the official endorsing entity for creators seeking a Golden Visa: it reviews applicants and passes endorsements to the authorities. Its criteria focus on a proven track record, recognition or awards, and consistent audience growth and engagement. This is an endorsement route into the talent category, not an automatic visa.

Gaming and e-sports

Under the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, Dubai introduced a long-term gaming visa in 2024: a 10-year golden residency in the culture and arts category for accomplished games industry professionals aged 25 and over. Applicants receive accreditation from Dubai Culture before GDRFA reviews the residency.

Writers

GDRFA Dubai also runs a Golden Cultural Visa, announced in January 2024, awarding one distinguished Arab literary figure each year alongside the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

Next steps

• Educators: talk to your school leadership about nomination (Dubai) or check the RAK Department of Knowledge criteria.
• Creators and gaming professionals: apply for endorsement through the official programme before approaching GDRFA.
• Everyone else: check the salary and property routes with Gulf Pilot's free checker, and read our complete Golden Visa guide.