
'We apologise': UAE group takes 'full responsibility' for confusion over lifetime Golden Visa
In a statement shared exclusively with Khaleej Times on Wednesday, a day after the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) issued a strong statement debunking such claim of 'lifetime visa' arrangement, Rayad Group issued a clarificatory statement saying: 'The Rayad Group acknowledges the recent media coverage and public discussions regarding a purported nomination-based UAE Golden Visa initiative, including references to a fixed Dh100,000 fee and a so-called 'lifetime visa' arrangement.
'To clarify, the initiative in question was part of an exploratory collaboration between the Rayad Group and licenced partners specialising in immigration services. This effort aimed to assess the feasibility of providing advisory support for Golden Visa applications to eligible individuals, particularly those aligned with the strategic priorities of the UAE.
Rayad Group underscored: 'All visa decisions remain solely under the jurisdiction of the relevant UAE government authorities. Our role has been limited to providing private advisory support to individuals, at their own discretion, seeking to apply through existing legal pathways.
'We have always maintained that application facilitation does not imply entitlement, nor does it bypass official procedures,' the Dubai based group added.
'We concur with the statement issued by the ICP, which affirms that all Golden Visa applications must be processed through official, government-approved channels.
Rayad Group 'apologised unreservedly for the public confusion caused by recent reports and commentary, adding: 'We take full responsibility for ensuring future communications are clear, accurate, and consistent with the UAE's stringent regulatory frameworks.
'Misquoted'
Rayad Group underscored: 'We also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge that certain public comments made by Rayad Group's Managing Director were misplaced and have contributed to the misinterpretation of our role and the nature of the initiative in question.
'These statements did not accurately reflect our intent, our scope of services, or the limitations of our authority in relation to the UAE Golden Visa programme. To reiterate with full clarity: no guaranteed visa, fixed-price programme, or lifetime UAE residency product currently exists, and the Rayad Group does not offer, support, participate, or endorse any such arrangement.
'Due to the confusion caused, the Rayad Group is discontinuing private advisory services for Golden Visas,' the statement ended.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Palestinian-American man 'beaten to death' by Israeli settlers, authorities say
A Palestinian-American man was beaten to death and a second man was shot dead during a settler attack on a village in the occupied West Bank on Friday, Palestinian authorities said. The ruling Fatah party said Saif Al Din Musallat, 23, was a US citizen, and condemned the attack, which it described as a 'policy of the occupying state's practice of systemic terrorism'. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the second victim as Hussein Al Shalabi, 23, and said he was shot in the chest. The Wafa news agency said 10 others were wounded in the attack. The US State Department did not comment directly on the killing of Mr Musallat. 'We are aware of reports of the death of a US citizen in the West Bank,' a department representative told The National. 'Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.' Mr Musallat's family in Tampa, Florida, issued a statement calling on the State Department to take action. 'This is an unimaginable nightmare and injustice that no family should ever have to face. We demand the US State Department lead an immediate investigation and hold the Israeli settlers who killed Saif accountable for their crimes,' the family statement said. Annas Abu El Ezz, spokesman for the Palestinian Health Ministry, told AFP that Mr Musallat 'died after being severely beaten all over his body by settlers in the town of Sinjil', about 15km north-east of Ramallah. The Florida Palestine Network mourned his loss. 'The young man was injured and remained so for four hours. The army prevented us from reaching him and did not allow us to take him away,' Abdul Samad Abdul Aziz, from the nearby village of Al Mazraa Al Sharqiya, told AFP. 'When we finally managed to reach him, he was taking his last breath.' The Israeli military said clashes broke out between Palestinians and Israelis after rocks were thrown at Israeli civilians near Sinjil, lightly injuring two. It said the ensuing 'violent confrontation … included vandalism of Palestinian property, arson, physical clashes, and rock hurling'. 'We are aware of reports regarding a Palestinian civilian killed and a number of injured Palestinians as a result of the confrontation,' the military said. Violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank has risen in recent years, with settler attacks becoming more frequent since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. Israeli killings of US citizens in the West Bank include those of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Palestinian-American teenager Omar Mohammad Rabea and Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.


Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Bahrain Marina appoints new Board of Directors and Chairman
Manama – Bahrain Marina Development Company, the master developer of the landmark Bahrain Marina real estate and tourism project in the heart of Manama, has announced the formation of its new Board of Directors and the election of Mr. Reyadh Yousif Sater as Chairman. The newly appointed Board comprises a distinguished group of Bahraini professionals, including Mr. Reyadh Yousif Sater, Ms. Sahar Rashid Al Mannai, Dr. Ahmed Abdulghani Al Shaikh, Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Bastaki, Mr. Yousif Abdulla Taqi, and Mr. Abdulla Ahmed Kamal. This new formation reflects the company's strategic commitment to strengthening corporate governance and drawing on national expertise to support the next phase of development. In parallel, the company has also appointed Engineer Hisham Almoayyed as Acting Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his current responsibilities as Head of Project Development. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Reyadh Yousif Sater, Chairman of the Board, stated: 'It is an honor to assume the role of Chairman at this pivotal stage of the Bahrain Marina project – a flagship development that reflects the Kingdom's future vision for real estate and tourism. Along with my fellow board members, we are committed to continuing the company's mission of creating an iconic Bahraini destination that celebrates innovation, architectural diversity, and urban excellence, reinforcing Manama's position as a prime hub for investment, residential living, and hospitality.' He added: 'Our focus in the coming phase will be on building upon the solid foundation already laid and delivering on our promises with the highest levels of quality, transparency, and sustainability – to the benefit of residents, investors, and the wider community.' For his part, Eng. Hisham Almoayyed, Acting CEO of Bahrain Marina Development Company, expressed his gratitude to the Board and shared his outlook for the next phase: 'I am deeply grateful for the Board's confidence and remain fully committed to leading the project with diligence and integrity. Bahrain Marina is a cornerstone of the Kingdom's urban and tourism development plans, and we will continue to drive the project forward with pace, precision, and a strong focus on excellence, in line with Bahrain's ambition to attract high-value investment and deliver premium lifestyle experiences.' The newly appointed Board also extended its sincere appreciation to the previous leadership, notably former Chairman Mr. Khalid Najibi, former Managing Director Mr. Yusuf Al Thawadi, and all members of the outgoing Board, for their vital contributions during the project's establishment and early execution phases. Their efforts laid the groundwork for a development that now stands as one of the Kingdom's most prominent mixed-use projects. The Bahrain Marina development spans over 250,000 square meters along Manama's eastern coastline. It features luxury freehold residential units, a five-star hotel, a premium retail and dining destination, sports and entertainment facilities, a state-of-the-art yacht marina, and a contemporary marine club – collectively offering a fully integrated, world-class lifestyle destination in line with Bahrain's vision for sustainable urban and tourism growth. For more information, please contact: Bahrain Marina Ahmad Fakhro Email: About Bahrain Marina Bahrain Marina is an extraordinary waterfront development strategically positioned on the eastern coast of Manama, the capital of Bahrain. With a development budget of BD 200 million, this landmark project features an array of luxury retail outlets, fine dining restaurants, and internationally renowned cafes. The development also includes a shopping mall, a marina with yacht parking, and an expansive 3,200-square-meter marine club offering a wide range of recreational activities and marine programs, contributing significantly to the Kingdom's tourism sector. In addition, Bahrain Marina provides a unique residential experience with luxurious freehold units, premium hotel accommodations, extensive green spaces, and high-end sports facilities. The project is designed to promote a balanced lifestyle that enhances residents' and visitors' quality of life. For more information and to experience the future of luxury living, please visit


Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Orange Jordan continues empowering persons with disabilities
Orange Jordan continues to strengthen its pioneering role in empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing their digital and social inclusion through its umbrella of solutions and initiatives, "Differently Abled, Definitely Enabled." As part of this commitment, Orange Jordan supported a specialized training titled "The Art of Dialogue Management," organized by Al-Ataa Club Sport for the Blind at the Orange Digital Village, with the participation of more than 20 persons with visual disabilities. The training focused on deepening participants' understanding of the rights of persons with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on visual impairment. It also aimed to raise awareness around psychological and social challenges, encourage the use of positive and inclusive language, and promote a culture of constructive and open dialogue. By fostering collaboration and mutual support, the program helped reinforce the values of equality and social justice among participants. The training aimed to enhance participants' understanding of the rights of persons with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments. It also focused on raising awareness of the psychological and social impacts, empowering them to use positive and inclusive language, and promoting a culture of constructive dialogue. Additionally, the training emphasized fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual support, contributing to strengthening values of equality and social justice. The training also included developing digital awareness campaigns and programs. In addition, 20% of the participants were selected to help create podcast content in collaboration with specialized producers, aiming to deliver their messages in innovative and impactful ways. Through supporting this initiative, Orange Jordan reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to promoting digital inclusion and providing equal opportunities for all. The company emphasized its belief that empowering persons with disabilities strengthens the values of equality and tolerance, contributing to building a more inclusive and just society. It is worth noting that through its diverse initiatives and programs, Orange Jordan continues to solidify its position as a leading, responsible digital provider and a key supporter of community development. The company reaffirms its commitment to supporting and empowering persons with disabilities, providing them with opportunities for active participation and enabling them to realize their full potential within society. To learn more, please visit our website: About Orange Jordan Orange Jordan, with over 1800 employees across nearly 300 shops and locations throughout Jordan, strives to provide the best customer experience through an integrated set of digital solutions including fixed lines, mobile lines, internet, data, and Smart Life Solutions to around 4.6 million customers in Jordan. Orange Jordan is a subsidiary of Orange Global Group, which is present in 26 countries worldwide. In line with the Group's strategy 'Lead the Future' and through its positioning as a true responsible digital leader, Orange Jordan supports the national digital transformation vision. Orange Jordan prioritizes community service, and in this context, it implements a comprehensive CSR strategy that revolves around 4 pillars including digital education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, climate, and environment. In addition to serving individual customers, Orange Jordan offers tailored solutions for businesses through its sub-brand, (Orange Business). To learn more, please visit our website: About Orange Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 127,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 71,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 291 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 253 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.