Abu Dhabi has published a list of 7 categories of foreigners eligible for its 10-year Golden Visa. The announcement, reported by Tuko News, sets out which foreign residents can now access the United Arab Emirates' flagship long-term residence permit.

What does the list change?

The Golden Visa grants successful applicants the right to live in the UAE for 10 years. Abu Dhabi's newly released list identifies 7 distinct categories of foreigners who qualify. For practitioners advising UAE-bound clients, the key shift is procedural clarity: eligibility now rests on a published category list rather than case-by-case discretion.

Each category maps to a defined applicant profile. Foreigners who fall inside one of the 7 groups can apply directly. Those outside the list must wait for further guidance from emirate authorities.

The takeaway: advisers should now screen clients against the 7 published categories before filing any Golden Visa application for Abu Dhabi.

Who is affected?

The list targets foreign nationals resident in, or planning to relocate to, Abu Dhabi. The Golden Visa's 10-year term makes it materially more attractive than standard residence permits, which typically require more frequent renewal.

For employers, the change matters too. Long-term visas reduce sponsorship churn. For investors and professionals, they offer residency security without a national sponsor.

The takeaway: any foreigner already in the UAE on a shorter permit should check whether their profile now matches one of the 7 categories.

What should applicants do next?

Applicants should confirm which of the 7 categories they fit, then follow the application route published by Abu Dhabi authorities. Exact documentation requirements sit with the official emirate channels, and practitioners should anchor every filing to those sources rather than secondary summaries.

Abu Dhabi has not, in this announcement, altered the visa's 10-year duration. The change concerns who can reach it.

The takeaway: the programme itself is unchanged — the door to it has been widened and clearly labelled.

Why it matters

The UAE has steadily expanded long-term residency options to attract skilled workers, investors and exceptional talent. Publishing a concrete 7-category list continues that direction of travel and gives applicants a fixed target.

For immigration professionals, the practical value is certainty. A published list converts a discretionary promise into a checkable rule.

This article reports a published announcement and does not constitute individual legal advice. Applicants should verify category details and documentation requirements with official Abu Dhabi government sources.