Permanent residency: A golden boon for UAE economy

KT
May 22, 2019

Dubai, May 22: The UAE's decision to grant permanent residency to investors will attract long-term residents, investors and world's best talent in diverse fields, hence increasing the size of the UAE's economy and stabilising it, analysts, businessmen and entrepreneurs have said.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday announced permanent residency scheme Golden Card, which will be granted to qualifying investors, entrepreneurs, professional talents, researchers in various fields of science and knowledge, and outstanding students.

It is believed that the first beneficiary of this game-changing initiative will be existing businessmen, entrepreneurs and highly-skilled and qualified professionals and students who will convert their status and obtain the Golden Card.

Osama Al Rahma, CEO of Al Fardan Exchange and vice-chairman of Foreign Exchange and Remittance Group (FERG), said the permanent residency scheme will be very encouraging for the expat community and will reinforce their confidence in the country's governance and economy.

"The announcement is great news for investors in the UAE, especially those who have been here for a long time, as they are now able to benefit from greater security and stability. Investors will be able to plan long-term strategies for their businesses and invest more in existing businesses, thus allowing capital to remain within the UAE," Al Rahma said.

Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman and managing director, Aster DM Healthcare, said this initiative has been a long-felt desire of the expat community to stay here permanently as many of them consider UAE as home.

"The ability to get a permanent residency will prompt people from many countries to come to the UAE and establish business. This will in turn improve the economy and increase employment opportunity," said Moopen.

Praising the UAE's decision of permanent residency, Taher Shams, managing director, Zulekha Healthcare Group, said this initiative will enable the group to plan long-term and look forward to greater success.

Nigel Green, founder and CEO of deVere Group, noted that the UAE is one of the world's top destinations for expatriates looking to embark upon or further their careers because of the fantastic possibilities offered in terms of finance, trade and commerce, plus that famous 'can do' attitude and the low-tax environment.

"The Golden Card will ensure the UAE becomes even more attractive for overseas talent as it provides permanency and, therefore, more certainty and stability. It will inevitably make recruiting more top talent easier for UAE-based firms and this can be expected to add real value to the country and its economy. The initiative will further fuel confidence that the UAE is a place for international companies to do business and invest. Its business powerhouse reputation will be galvanised by this proactive and forward-thinking new development," Green said.

"We are indeed very delighted for the Golden Card scheme. This is a great news and it will help attract investments and retain talented people who have contributed to the growth and development of the UAE," said Kamal Vachani, group director, Al Maya Group.

Fadi Ghandour, chairman and CEO, Wamda Capital, said it is a very timely and quite bold decision. "Lots of entrepreneurs and various people of talent will take it very seriously. It will certainly have a positive long term impact on the economy."

USA

>Sponsorship by a family member

>Special employment

>Has made a major investment (minimum $500,000 or Dh1.825M)

>Qualified for the Diversity Lottery -  around 50,000 immigrant visas are made available annually aimed at diversifying the immigrant population in the US, by selecting applicants from countries with low numbers of immigrants in the previous five years.

>Referred by the UNHCR as a refugee (or has request asylum in the US)

Singapore

>Must be spouse and unmarried children (below 21 years old) of a Singapore citizen or PR

>Any skilled workerwho the country thinks will make valuable contribution

>Aged parents of a citizen.

>Investors or entrepreneurs meeting eligibility criteria under the Singapore Investment Visa or Global Investor Program (GIP) - a scheme that allows people to bring their investment initiative to Singapore and obtain a permanent residence in the country immediately after making the pouring of money worth at least SGD2.5 million (Dh6.6M)

New Zealand

>Must be a resident visa holder for two years or more, and can show a commitment to live in New Zealand

>Must be under 56 years of age

>Must meet all health, character and English ability requirements

>Must be able to meet a pass mark of 100 points in the Points System to register an Expression of Interest. Points are awarded for age, having family members in New Zealand, employment, previous work experience, and qualifications - all these should  meet the minimum threshold of 100 points

Canada

>Must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period.

>The person has to be at least 18 years old in order to apply for a PR visa

>Having a bachelor's degree gives a higher chance of getting selected for Canada PR immigration while for the 'Express Entry points system', the highest points are given to people with PhDs.

Germany

>Must have been living in Germany for five uninterrupted years

>Must have a secure livelihood with health insurance and provision for retirement (pension) and adequate living space (at least 13sqm per person)

>Highly qualified workers may be issued with a German settlement permit immediately

>Graduates of a German higher education institute may be able to get a German permanent residence after two years

>EU Blue Card holders can apply after working 33 months (or just 21 months with a level B1 language certificate)

>Self-employed people, with an established business and secure livelihood, may be able to get permanent residency in Germany after three years.

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News Network
October 2,2024

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Sirens sounded all over the occupied territories on Tuesday night as Iran launched hundreds of missiles towards the Zionist entity, in a retaliatory attack dubbed Operation True Promise II. 

Meanwhile, Israeli officials have promised to respond after Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at key military and security targets in Israel.

Flares and missiles were seen in the Tel Aviv sky and explosions could be heard in the occupied al-Quds, sending Zionist settlers fleeing into shelters.

The Israel Airports Authority said that no aircraft will be allowed to take off or arrive at all Israeli airports. Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported “direct hits” in Negev, Sharon and other locations from Iran’s attack.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) issued a statement shortly after the missile attack began.

It said in response to the martyrdom of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyah, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan, the IRGC Aerospace Force launched dozens of ballistic missiles targeting key military and intelligence bases in the heart of the occupied territories.

The IRGC further said that the attack was in line with the country’s right to legitimate self-defense as per the United Nations Charter, and in response to the regime's escalating crimes—backed by the United States—against the people of Lebanon and Gaza.

The Zionist regime will face more crushing attacks in case it reacts to Iran’s operation, the IRGC added.

In a follow-up statement, the IRGC said three Israeli military bases in Tel Aviv were hit during the operation.

In this operation, a number of air and radar bases, as well as centers for conspiracy and assassination planning against resistance leaders and IRGC commanders were targeted, the statement said.

The IRGC noted that even though the designated areas were shielded by advanced defense systems, 90% of the missiles shot successfully hit their targets.

“The Zionist regime has been terrified by the intelligence and operational dominance of the Islamic Republic,” it added.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations said in a statement that the missile attack was a “legal, rational, and legitimate” response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime.

It also warned the Israeli regime that a more “crushing” response would ensue should it dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence.

Celebratory gunfire erupted in southern Beirut, where Hezbollah chief Nasrallah was killed in a massive Israeli airstrike last week, following Iran’s retaliatory attack.

“Heavy gunfire heard from automatic weapons from areas of the southern suburbs, rejoicing in the missile launch from Iran towards Israel,” Lebanon’s National News Agency said.

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News Network
October 2,2024

Yemeni Armed Forces have launched a series of attacks on Israeli military positions deep inside the occupied territories, in solidarity with Palestinian and Lebanese people amid the Tel Aviv regime’s ongoing offensives in the Gaza Strip and across Lebanon.

Delivering a televised statement broadcast live from the capital Sana’a on Wednesday morning, Yemen’s military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the country’s missile units had fired three domestically-developed Quds-5 cruise missiles at the strategic installations.

He added that the missiles managed to strike the designated targets precisely, despite the Zionist regime’s attempts to conceal the losses it sustained in the aftermath of the missile attack.

Saree also hailed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation True Promise II, against Israel, stressing that Yemeni Armed Forces are prepared to participate in any joint military operation against the Zionist enemy in support of the Palestinian and Lebanese nations, and in response to Israeli atrocities.

“The continued US and British support for the Israeli enemy will put their interests in the region in jeopardy. Yemeni Armed Forces will not hesitate to expand their military operations against the Zionist enemy and its sponsors until the ongoing aggression against Gaza stops, the siege on the coastal territory is completely lifted, and the attacks on Lebanon come to an end,” he pointed out.

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the territory’s Palestinian resistance movements carried out surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they will not stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end.

So far, Israel has killed at least 41,638 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 96,460 others in Gaza.

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News Network
October 7,2024

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New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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