Waqf donors, or Islamic endowment contributors, can now qualify for the UAE Golden Visa under the “financial supporters of humanitarian work” category, following a new partnership between the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) and the Endowments and Minors Affairs Foundation (Awqaf Dubai).
The agreement, signed on Friday, enables Awqaf Dubai to nominate eligible donors — both residents and non-residents — who meet the criteria specified in Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022, which governs Golden Visa eligibility for financial supporters of humanitarian initiatives. Once nominations are approved, GDRFA-Dubai will issue the residency permits, granting donors long-term residency privileges in the emirate.
A joint committee will also be established to monitor implementation, track outcomes, and ensure that the initiative achieves its intended social and developmental objectives.
The partnership is designed to enhance Dubai’s position as a global hub for tolerance, philanthropy, and humanitarian work, aligning with the emirate’s broader goal of becoming “the most sustainable and human-centered city in the world,” according to a statement from GDRFA-Dubai.
Lt-Gen Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA-Dubai, emphasized that the collaboration represents an advanced model of governmental integration, empowering endowers to contribute meaningfully to community development through impactful initiatives. “This approach promotes the values of giving and sustainability, enabling donors to play a pivotal role in shaping Dubai’s social and humanitarian landscape,” he said.
Ali Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of Awqaf Dubai, highlighted that the initiative reflects Dubai’s vision to elevate endowment work as a driver of sustainable development. He noted that recognizing donors’ contributions fosters solidarity, social responsibility, and long-term community impact.
The Golden Visa program for Waqf donors is expected to encourage philanthropy and humanitarian engagement across the emirate, further strengthening Dubai’s reputation as a center for charitable initiatives and socially responsible investment.
This new policy not only rewards donors for their contributions but also integrates philanthropy into Dubai’s strategic development goals, reinforcing the role of endowments in supporting humanitarian and sustainable projects across the region.
