Latest news with #GauravKeswani
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UAE expands Golden Visa to attract top global talent in AI, climate and tech sector
Dubai issued 158,000 Golden Visas in 2023, increasingly granted to professionals in AI, climate tech, and cloud computing as the UAE shifts focus to innovation-driven growth. (Representative Image) The UAE's widely-recognised Golden Visa programme, once a magnet primarily for foreign capital and real estate investment, is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Initially introduced in 2019 to attract long-term foreign residents through investment-led pathways, the programme is now zeroing in on specialised talent, especially in artificial intelligence, climate tech, and advanced digital sectors. This evolution reflects a larger strategic ambition: not just to host wealth, but to cultivate a workforce aligned with the country's economic and innovation goals. The shift became especially pronounced post-2023, when the government moved beyond its pandemic-era push for capital influx and began empowering key federal entities, including the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Sports, and the Abu Dhabi Residents Office, to identify and attract high-value individuals worldwide. Rather than focusing solely on monetary investments, authorities are now increasingly evaluating applicants based on their capacity to contribute to local ecosystems, whether through technical expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, or sector-specific knowledge. Rising Numbers and Strategic Talent hunt According to industry observers, among them Gaurav Keswani, founder and managing director of JSB, a Dubai-based advisory firm specialising in company formation and visa services, the UAE is now actively targeting professionals in emerging technology and sustainability sectors. Speaking to local news outlet Khaleej Times, Keswani noted that the Golden Visa programme has shifted focus from purely investment-led entry to attracting individuals who can contribute long-term value. Data from 2023 reveals that 158,000 Golden Visas were granted in Dubai alone, underscoring both the scale and strategic success of the initiative. Among these recipients: 40% were investors 60% came from other high-value categories 22% were professionals from banking and non-banking sectors, including those in AI and climate change roles including a growing segment of individuals working in AI, IoT, cloud computing, and environmental solutions. This approach mirrors the UAE's parallel push to become a hub for global finance and innovation. Over the past few years, eight of the world's top 20 hedge funds have set up offices in the UAE, collectively managing an estimated $48 billion in business. But this influx of capital has created an equally urgent demand for executive talent, from CEOs and CTOs to AI consultants and infrastructure architects, capable of scaling these operations. 'The government has realised that investment alone doesn't build a sustainable economy,' Keswani explained. 'There's now a visible focus on people who can actively shape and grow industries, not just fund them.' Expanding Eligibility, Rising Demand Originally aimed at investors and property buyers, the Golden Visa's scope now includes a broad array of profiles: scientists, outstanding students, coders, private wealth managers, and graduates of globally top-ranked universities. As new industries become national priorities, the visa programme is swiftly adapting to accommodate professionals who can advance them. Keswani's firm, which has helped over 250 individuals secure Golden Visas in just the last six months, reports a surge in applicants from niche sectors such as AI ethics, green finance, and climate engineering. Many of these candidates are either driving large-scale innovation projects or are themselves investors bringing both capital and expertise into the region. 'The last five months alone have seen a jump in shortlists for cloud specialists, private bankers, and AI developers,' Keswani noted. 'These are people often behind billion-dollar strategies, not just jobseekers.' According to a local news agency report, the programme will likely continue diversifying, with more categories expected to be added, particularly around digital economy domains, including decentralised technologies and energy transition roles. Built-In Flexibility for Global Professionals What truly sets the UAE's Golden Visa apart from similar long-term residency schemes is its structural flexibility. Professionals are not tied to a single employer and can freely transition into entrepreneurship or independent consultancy without losing their residency status. This flexibility, paired with residency terms of up to ten years, has made the programme especially attractive to senior global talent. Another key feature is the decoupling of investment from residency rights. For instance, a resident can liquidate their original investment and reallocate assets into different sectors without jeopardising their visa status. This legal separation allows for greater asset mobility, a major draw for high-net-worth individuals and top-tier executives. Targeting the Asia-Pacific talent pool has also become a strategic priority. As the UAE continues to position itself as a nexus between East and West, it is not just pulling in capital or companies, it's bringing in the people behind them.
Khaleej Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE Golden Visa now targets talent in AI, climate sectors, says expert
The UAE has expanded the scope of its highly popular Golden Visa programme, shifting the focus from solely attracting foreign investments and wealth to fostering long-term value creation in the economy. Entrepreneurs, tech founders, and investors are now being evaluated not only on the size of their investments but on the overall impact they can bring to the local ecosystem, according to Gaurav Keswani, founder and managing director of JSB, a Dubai-based advisory firm specialising in company formation and visa services. 'After Covid-19, the government's primary goal was to attract capital into the country. That's why, during the initial wave in 2022–23, many of the Golden Visa recipients were real estate investors,' Keswani told Khaleej Times in an interview. 'However, from 2023–24 onwards, we entered the second phase of the programme. The government empowered multiple departments — including the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Sports, and Abu Dhabi Residents Office — to scout globally for individuals who could make the UAE their second home and add meaningful value to the economy.' Keswani emphasised that the programme is no longer just about capital inflow. 'It's now about long-term growth potential. We're seeing candidates from sectors like AI, IoT, cloud computing, and private wealth management. The government's approach has evolved; it now targets individuals with specialised skills who can contribute to the broader community.' The UAE introduced its long-term residency programme in 2019 to attract foreign investment. According to the latest figures, 158,000 people received Golden Visas in Dubai alone in 2023. Of these, approximately 40% were investors, with the remaining 60 per cent spread across various other categories. 'About 22 per cent of the total were professionals from banking and non-banking sectors, including those involved in AI and climate change,' Keswani noted. 'The government has made substantial investments across various industries and is now strategically attracting talent aligned with those sectors.' He added that the initial phase of the programme was capital-centric. 'In recent years, we've seen eight of the world's top 20 hedge funds establish operations in the UAE, bringing around $48 billion in business. But with such a capital influx, there's a need for the right talent — CEOs, CTOs, and other key executives — to optimise and grow that investment. That's why the government's focus has shifted from purely capital to a more strategic, talent-driven approach.' More categories The Golden Visa currently offers a 10-year residency to a wide range of individuals, including outstanding students, scientists, graduates from top global universities, coders, and highly qualified professionals. According to Keswani, whose firm has arranged visas for over 250 individuals in the past six months, additional categories are expected to be added in the near future. 'Yes, definitely — especially in areas like AI, climate tech, IoT, and cloud computing,' he said. 'In the past five months alone, we've seen a significant rise in the number of private bankers, AI consultants, and cloud experts being shortlisted. These professionals are often behind large-scale projects or are significant investors themselves, and the programme is adapting accordingly.' Greater flexibility for professionals Keswani also highlighted the flexibility of the UAE's Golden Visa scheme. 'The long-term residency allows individuals to switch employers or even leave their jobs to pursue entrepreneurship while continuing to reside in the UAE,' he explained. 'The government has done an excellent job targeting the Asia-Pacific talent pool. Moreover, senior professionals like CEOs and CTOs with substantial income can invest in property here, obtain residency, and manage their assets independently.' He emphasised a key advantage of the programme: 'Residency and investment are treated as two separate legal entities. So if someone wants to liquidate an investment and move to a different asset class, they can do so without affecting their residency status. This structure gives skilled professionals flexibility and control, which is why the programme has resonated so strongly with global talent.'
