The Golden Visa of the United Arab Emirates is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign talent to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. Actor Rajinikanth received the Golden Visa at the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of DTC Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, who handed it over to the actor, and NRI businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali, the chairman and managing director of Lulu Group. Yusuff Ali handled all the procedures for the visa and completed it for Rajinikanth.

Rajinikanth expressed his gratitude for the same on social media. “I am deeply honoured to receive the prestigious UAE Golden Visa from the Abu Dhabi government. My heartfelt thanks to the Abu Dhabi government, and also to my good friend Mr. Yusuff Ali, CMD of Lulu Group, for facilitating this visa and for all the support,” he said.

The Golden Visa offers residence permits valid for either five or ten years, dismissing the need for frequent visa renewals. Unlike traditional UAE residency visas, this long-term visa does not require local sponsorship but grants individuals autonomy in their professional pursuits with greater freedom to travel outside the UAE without jeopardizing their residency status. Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, students, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes, basically those certified as having ‘outstanding specialised talent’ are among those eligible for the Golden Visa.

A short video of Rajinikanth and Yusuff Ali driving down to the latter’s residence in Abu Dhabi has also been trending. The actor had visited the global headquarters of Lulu Group International first soon after reaching the UAE to collect the Golden Visa. – editor@nrifocus.com