Abu Dhabi launches ‘Creative Visa’ initiative for residency and employment

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced the “Creative Visa” initiative, which aims to support individuals contributing to the cultural and creative industries in Abu Dhabi.

The Creative Visa is open to a wide range of talented individuals operating within key fields across all domains within the cultural and creative industries, including heritage, performing arts, visual arts, design and crafts, gaming and e-sports, media and publishing.

This initiative seeks to increase opportunities for residency and employment in Abu Dhabi while simultaneously bolstering the thriving creative scene in the United Arab Emirates.

The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi is committed to not just nurturing the creative talent found within our borders but to also extending our resources to innovators from the region and around the world. This mutually beneficial system will attract pioneering ideas and creativity to Abu Dhabi, as the Creative Visa will offer participants access to world-class facilities and infrastructure, as well as an attractive, safe and inspiring living and working environment for individuals and families.” 

He added: “The creative ecosystem of the Emirate plays an important role in all our lives, and we are committed to supporting its practitioners and professionals. Abu Dhabi is a place rooted in cultural heritage and creativity, where culture is a driver of social and economic development. Championing the cultural and creative sectors will continue to be a priority for DCT Abu Dhabi, and this visa is only one of the globally relevant projects we’re launching with continued speed and agility.”

The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Professionals who take up residency in Abu Dhabi under the Creative Visa will find themselves in the midst of a global culture centre, with world-class museums, community and performing arts centres, art platforms and a grassroots artistic community. The Emirate’s media, entertainment, literary and publishing sectors are dynamic and growing rapidly.

In addition, Abu Dhabi focuses on its cultural heritage and provides a year-round calendar of initiatives including programmes around traditional crafts and practices. Cultural heritage professionals will be joining  a community of fellow academics, conservators and archaeologists working at Abu Dhabi’s important archaeological sites, historic buildings and cultural landscapes, including the World Heritage Site of Al Ain.

Entrepreneurs looking to launch their own creative business will find Abu Dhabi to be a highly start-up friendly environment, with significant access to funding, support and incentives for growing ventures.

Abu Dhabi’s safe, tolerant and family-friendly environment is fostered by a world-class healthcare system that is striving to keep its citizens safe and healthy as well as a range of high-quality public and private schools and universities Those looking to purchase homes or investment properties will find an attractive and diverse real estate market, and property owners can now plan to retire in the Emirate if they wish to do so.