In a landmark move unveiled on October 22, 2025 at GITEX Global in Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai) and the Endowments & Minors Affairs Foundation (Awqaf Dubai) announced a brand-new Golden Visa track for individuals who donate to Islamic charitable endowments (Waqf).
The programme falls under the federal “Financial Supporters of Humanitarian Work” category created by Cabinet Resolution 65 of 2022, but this is the first time a specific route has been activated. Any UAE resident or foreign national who pledges a qualifying Waqf contribution can now obtain a renewable 10-year residency permit without the need for an on-shore sponsor.
Officials say the visa will operate much like the existing investor and philanthropist Golden Visas, but with a sharper focus on sustainable social impact. Successful applicants may sponsor family members, employ domestic staff, and enjoy multiple-entry privileges.
From a global-mobility perspective, the announcement cements Dubai’s strategy of coupling long-term residency with purpose-driven investment. It gives multinational employers another pathway to retain high-net-worth individuals committed to ESG causes, and it positions the UAE as a regional hub for faith-based philanthropy. Immigration advisers expect strong uptake from GCC nationals, South-Asian family foundations, and social-impact funds that already channel resources into the UAE.
Companies with corporate-social-responsibility budgets can also leverage the scheme to secure long-term visas for senior executives while meeting their sustainability goals. Legal experts note that the programme’s documentation and due-diligence requirements will mirror other Golden Visa streams, so applicants should prepare attested proof of donation, audited financial statements, and a no-objection certificate from any current sponsor.
The programme falls under the federal “Financial Supporters of Humanitarian Work” category created by Cabinet Resolution 65 of 2022, but this is the first time a specific route has been activated. Any UAE resident or foreign national who pledges a qualifying Waqf contribution can now obtain a renewable 10-year residency permit without the need for an on-shore sponsor.
Officials say the visa will operate much like the existing investor and philanthropist Golden Visas, but with a sharper focus on sustainable social impact. Successful applicants may sponsor family members, employ domestic staff, and enjoy multiple-entry privileges.
From a global-mobility perspective, the announcement cements Dubai’s strategy of coupling long-term residency with purpose-driven investment. It gives multinational employers another pathway to retain high-net-worth individuals committed to ESG causes, and it positions the UAE as a regional hub for faith-based philanthropy. Immigration advisers expect strong uptake from GCC nationals, South-Asian family foundations, and social-impact funds that already channel resources into the UAE.
Companies with corporate-social-responsibility budgets can also leverage the scheme to secure long-term visas for senior executives while meeting their sustainability goals. Legal experts note that the programme’s documentation and due-diligence requirements will mirror other Golden Visa streams, so applicants should prepare attested proof of donation, audited financial statements, and a no-objection certificate from any current sponsor.
