Here is a good news for craftsmen artisans and manufacturers as the Ruler of Dubai announced the granting of a long-term cultural visa in order to empower and encourage them to settle in the region, as well as to provide them with opportunities to grow and participate in the development process. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who had announced the plan in 2019 has now been introduced now with directives to the effect. This is one of the outcomes of the Al Quoz Creative Zone Development Committee, which oversees the implementation of the Al Quoz Creative Zone Development Project.

This project is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, and is part of Dubai’s vision which aims to strengthen the cultural and creative economy. Her Highness is in charge of overseeing the project's implementation and ensuring that its strategic objectives of supporting the emirate's creative community and industries, as well as creating a pioneering environment and a complete system to promote the creative industry, are met.

Dubai Culture is working with its strategic partners to create an integrated environment for talents in the Al Quoz Creative Zone that will allow them to unleash their energies and creative work, bolstering the emirate's position as a global competitor in the cultural and creative sectors by taking into account the needs of cultural and creative entrepreneurs looking to invest. This raises the zone's significance as a regional and international hub for designers and creatives looking to work and live in Dubai. The Authority hopes to create an incubation environment for all local and international talents to join Dubai's creative horizon through Al Quoz Creative Zone.

Al Quoz Creative Zone

The plan behind this creative zone is a district for investors and professionals working in the creative industry. The idea is to turn the location into a global hub for creative businesses and professionals. Many industries including movies, publishing, cultural events and game developers even might benefit from Dubai’s strategy to augment the growth of the creative industry. Al Quoz, which has traditionally been a centre for industrial developments, will now be home to the Al Quoz Creative Zone commercial zone. The Creative Zone's inauguration will attract more foreign investment by making the procedure of forming a firm in Dubai easier for creative professionals and entrepreneurs. For content, design, and arts entrepreneurs, the Zone will give new licences, permits, and inexpensive leasing schemes.

The government seeks to provide an environment where specific legislations and investment assistance would be provided to creative entrepreneurs to set up their businesses. The location also seeks to provide creatives with affordable living spaces, infrastructure, studios and so on, and to establish an incubating environment through Al Quoz Creative Zone that will inspire and motivate all local and international innovators to join the Dubai Creative Horizon. It is indeed welcome to see the Emirate taking proactive steps for the growth of the creative sector, taking into consideration the specific requirements which come with the setting up of such ventures, while also working to enhance the region's value as a regional and global hub for embracing designers.

How Does This Work?

This visa scheme is a long-term visa of ten-year long duration, available to accomplished creative talents. However, the fields included are quite vast, with literature, culture, fine arts, performing arts, heritage, history and knowledge-related sectors as well as intellectual and creative industries included within their ambits. To apply, an applicant must satisfy at-least five of the eligibility criteria set by the authorities.

The first step of the process is to apply for ‘Creative and Talented Accreditation’, which is a certificate of accreditation for which one needs to apply via mail on info@dubaiculture.ae, or via the respective apps listed on the UAE Government website. The application must attach a copy of your passport and your residence visa, a copy of your Emirates ID, and your resume containing your contact numbers, for the perusal of the concerned authorities. If the same is approved, the accreditation certificate will be issued for receiving a long-term cultural visa.