UAE Rewards 10-year Blue Residency Visa for Sustainability Heroes

It is a long-term residency for individuals with exceptional contributions in the field of environment and sustainability both inside and outside of the UAE.

A 10-year Blue residency visa has been announced by the UAE cabinet for those who have demonstrated “exceptional contribution” and environmental protection activities. It is for the individuals who have made significant contributions towards environmental protection and sustainability, offering them a ten-year residency in the UAE, and is part of the UAE’s Year of Sustainability. 

It is a long-term residency for individuals with exceptional contributions in the field of environment and sustainability both inside and outside of the UAE.

This was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as he chaired the Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. 

He said that the move comes in line with the directives of President His HIghness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who had announced 2014 as the year of sustainability. 

Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter, “The sustainability of our economy has become linked to the sustainability of our environment, and our national directions in this area are clear and consistent.” 

“We will continue to protect our environment,” said Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. 

The 10-year visa holder may be focusing on land-based or marine environmental protection, including air quality, sustainability and its contemporary technologies, the circular economy, or other environmental protection-related subjects.

Blue Residency is granted to global award winners, activists, and leading researchers in the environmental fields. Since it is granted to environmental supporters both locally and in international organisations, the interested ones are invited to submit their applications directly through the services of the Federal Authority of Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security. 

The National Youth Agenda 2031 was also approved During the same cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi this week. The core focus of the government will be to empower young people. The Minister of Youth will focus on five key pillars to achieve the strategy which includes economic empowerment of the country’s youth sector, developing their scientific skills, consolidating their sense of national identity, activating their role in presenting their country internationally, and enhancing their community contributions. 

During the Cabinet meeting the government also announced and discussed other crucial decisions that are related to education, economy, community and space sectors. 

Sheikh Mohammed also stated that a new framework for categorising the higher education systems in the United Arab Emirates was authorised and implemented by the cabinet. The forthcoming national rankings will assess over 70 higher education establishments on the basis of the quality of their education, the employability of their students that graduate, the strength of their scientific research, and their collaboration with international scientific institutions. 

According to Sheikh Mohhamed the revelation of these university rankings marks as a significant step in elevating the calibre of higher education institutions and fostering transparency. It not only guides but also empowers families to make informed decisions on choosing the ideal and suitable path for education for the brighter future of their children. 

The Cabinet also reviewed the recent advancements in the country’s space sector as the spending increased by 14%. The national cadres comprises 38% of personnel engaged in global space projects. 

His Highness in the cabinet meeting held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, further approved the introduction of the post of CEO of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all major federal entities that are in line with the UAE’s strategy to strengthen their position in the AI world. This plan aims to facilitate the integration of AI tools within these institutions. The initiative further advances the transition towards a new era.