Three dedicated expatriates in the UAE were recently honored with the prestigious Golden Visa for their exceptional contributions to the community through volunteering. The recipients — Indian, Ugandan, and Filipino — have each invested hundreds of hours volunteering at various events, providing crucial support during occasions like Ramadan food distributions, and assisting passengers at the Dubai Metro.
Volunteering for Golden Visa: A Growing Trend
Volunteering has become a pathway for many expats in the UAE to secure long-term residency through the Golden Visa program. This unique initiative, designed to recognize individuals who contribute significantly to the UAE society, extends a 10-year residency to those who go above and beyond in their service.
One of the recent Golden Visa recipients, Arshad Junaid, a 32-year-old sales executive from India, shared his journey of accumulating over 1,000 hours of volunteer service. From his first steps in 2018, to now holding his 10-year residency card, Junaid’s story highlights the growing opportunities for expats in UAE to give back and be rewarded.
Expats in UAE, like Junaid, have increasingly found volunteering to be a rewarding endeavor, both personally and professionally. Despite the challenges, such as dedicating unpaid time while juggling work, volunteers report a sense of fulfillment. For Junaid, volunteering has become a hobby, with added perks like meeting prominent figures and leaders.
“I encourage other UAE residents to join the volunteer teams. It’s a new journey every week,” Junaid said, urging others to explore opportunities for volunteering in the UAE.
So, volunteering in the UAE offers a gateway to not only make a difference but potentially qualify for the coveted Golden Visa.
