The United Arab Emirates has raised the bar for residency services by launching a comprehensive, always-available travel-assistance programme exclusively for Golden Visa residents. Announced on November 1, 2025, the new package gives the UAE’s long-term visa holders a safety net comparable to that offered by many governments to their own citizens. The centrepiece is a 24-hour hotline (+971 2 493 1133) staffed by multilingual consular officers who can coordinate with overseas embassies, airlines and local authorities if a resident is caught in a crisis, from a natural disaster to civil unrest.
A second pillar is a “Return Document” issued online in just 30 minutes when a Golden Visa holder loses or damages a passport abroad. The document is valid for a single entry into the UAE and is recognised by airlines operating to the Emirates, eliminating days of paperwork that previously stranded residents overseas. Family members registered as dependants are also covered, reflecting the UAE’s effort to keep families together during emergencies.
![UAE Rolls Out Global Emergency Travel Assistance for Golden Visa Holders]()
Beyond emergencies, the support package includes pre-travel advice, inclusion in national evacuation plans, and even repatriation or burial assistance in the event of death abroad. The scheme was jointly developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and was showcased at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, underscoring the government’s broader digital-service agenda.
For businesses, the enhanced protection is expected to make the UAE an even more attractive base for global talent. HR managers say the promise of rapid consular help will reduce assignment-risk premiums and insurance costs, while employees gain peace of mind when travelling for work. Immigration advisers also predict the service will bolster demand for the coveted 10-year residence permit among investors and highly skilled professionals.
In the fiercely competitive war for talent, the UAE’s move signals a shift toward treating long-term foreign residents as stakeholders in national prosperity rather than mere guests. Analysts note that few countries offer comparable support to non-citizens, positioning the Emirates as a pioneer in global mobility services.
A second pillar is a “Return Document” issued online in just 30 minutes when a Golden Visa holder loses or damages a passport abroad. The document is valid for a single entry into the UAE and is recognised by airlines operating to the Emirates, eliminating days of paperwork that previously stranded residents overseas. Family members registered as dependants are also covered, reflecting the UAE’s effort to keep families together during emergencies.
Beyond emergencies, the support package includes pre-travel advice, inclusion in national evacuation plans, and even repatriation or burial assistance in the event of death abroad. The scheme was jointly developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and was showcased at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, underscoring the government’s broader digital-service agenda.
For businesses, the enhanced protection is expected to make the UAE an even more attractive base for global talent. HR managers say the promise of rapid consular help will reduce assignment-risk premiums and insurance costs, while employees gain peace of mind when travelling for work. Immigration advisers also predict the service will bolster demand for the coveted 10-year residence permit among investors and highly skilled professionals.
In the fiercely competitive war for talent, the UAE’s move signals a shift toward treating long-term foreign residents as stakeholders in national prosperity rather than mere guests. Analysts note that few countries offer comparable support to non-citizens, positioning the Emirates as a pioneer in global mobility services.
