Conditions, Eligible Individuals, and Application Process through KHDA

Dubai, in appreciation of impactful teachers and educational leaders in the private education sector, has opened the pathway to obtain a 10-Year Golden Visa for a group of distinguished educational professionals. This decision aims to enhance the quality of education, retain educational talents, and align with Dubai's long-term educational development programs.

This initiative includes individuals who have made measurable and positive contributions to improving educational performance, student academic progress, and the status of educational institutions.

Who is Eligible for this Visa?

According to the announced framework, this long-term residence visa is granted to individuals working in the private education sector in Dubai, including:

• Early Childhood Centres

• Private Schools

• International Higher Education Institutions operating in Dubai

The goal of this program is to identify "distinguished individuals"; that is, teachers and administrators whose educational impact can be proven and documented, not merely based on employment history.

Registration Timeline and Important Note about Dates

In initial announcements, a specific start date for registration was declared. However, according to the current process, this program is ongoing, and new registration periods will be announced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai.
Currently, the announced registration period for the new round is from October 15 to December 15, 2025.

Therefore, it is crucial to check KHDA's updated announcements when applying.

General Selection Criteria for Outstanding Teachers and Educational Members

The granting of the Golden Visa is not done generally and is based on merit, quality of performance, and actual impact. The main criteria include the following:

• Having educational achievements and innovations to present

• Effective role in enhancing the quality of education in the relevant institution

• Receiving positive and recognized feedback in the educational community

• Providing clear evidence of improved student outcomes, including academic progress, graduation results, or accepted credentials

Who Can Be Included in This Program?

The scope of this program is not limited to "classroom teachers" and encompasses various educational roles, including:

• School administrators and leaders

• Kindergarten administrators

• Administrators and academic leaders of higher education institutions

• Teachers in schools and kindergartens

• Full-time faculty members of higher education institutions

Specific Criteria for Certain Roles

School Administrators

• Providing evidence of improving school quality

• Improving or maintaining the school's ranking in educational evaluations and inspections

Administrators and Educational Members of Higher Education Institutions

• Having advanced and relevant academic or professional qualifications related to the educational role

• Scientific or research participation (if relevant to the job position)

What is the Application Process?

One important aspect of this program is that the process of obtaining the Golden Visa typically begins with support and nomination from the educational institution.

The overall process is as follows:

• The interested teacher or administrator submits their application to the management of the educational institution.

• If supported by the institution, a formal nomination is made through the KHDA system.

• The application, after internal reviews by the institution and relevant evaluations, moves to the next stages.

For this reason, this pathway is not merely an individual action, and the role of the educational institution in initiating the process is very crucial.

Why is This Program Important for Dubai?

Dubai aims to achieve several important goals by implementing this program:

• Retaining quality educational professionals and creating long-term job and residency stability

• Increasing Dubai's attractiveness for international teachers and educational leaders

• Enhancing Dubai's status as one of the educational hubs in the region

This initiative is part of Dubai's long-term strategy for developing human capital and continuously improving the quality of education.

Summary

The 10-Year Golden Visa for outstanding teachers and educational professionals in private schools and institutions in Dubai is still valid and active. This visa is not granted to all teachers but is awarded based on merit, educational impact, and official evaluations.
The important point is that the application process typically begins with a nomination from the educational institution, and registration dates are announced periodically.