Emirates: Imams, preachers, and muezzins who have been serving in Dubai for over 20 years will be granted the UAE golden visa, the Dubai Ruler announced Saturday.

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, the imams of mosques, preachers and muezzins will also be granted a financial bonus.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has ordered the granting of golden residency to these persons

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has ordered the granting of golden residency to these persons

The kind gesture, which came ahead of Eid al-Fitr, is in appreciation of their efforts in introducing the teachings of Islam and spreading the values of tolerance, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Hamdan thanked the imams of mosques, preachers and muezzins, emphasising that their pivotal role in society is highly appreciated and respected.

In 2019, the UAE implemented a new system for long-term residence visas. The new system enables foreigners to live, work and study in the UAE without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland.

These visas - sliver and golden visas - will be issued for five or ten years and will be renewed automatically.