Creators HQ, the $40.8 million United Arab Emirates-based government initiative to bring 10,000 content creators to Dubai, is promising a range of benefits to creators who join its program. They’ll get access to its coworking spaces and creative studios in the Emirates Towers, a pass to its annual convention, the 1 Billion Followers Summit, and entry into a whopping 300+ biz dev events throughout the year.
But there’s another major perk Creators HQ is offering creators: It says it’ll help members get the coveted UAE Golden Visa.
As the UAE’s official website puts it, “The Golden visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreign talents to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes are among those eligible for the Golden visa.”
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Dubai has increasingly become a center of content creation, thanks in no small part to government outreach. One of its biggest moneymakers is tourism, so it wants content creators to live there and share footage of its enormous high-rises, luxury experiences, and gourmet cuisine on social media, where people might see it and book their own trips to the city.
A UAE Golden Visa can be difficult to obtain without assistance. For people like real estate investors and entrepreneurs, they have to invest specific amounts of money, or prove their businesses’ worth. But for content creators, who are considered people with “outstanding specialized talents,” the procedure involves getting an approval letter from Dubai’s department of culture and arts.
Just like applying for U.S. O-1B Visa, applying for a UAE Golden Visa involves creators proving the influence of their social media channels. If they can show traction as a professional creator, they may get an approval letter, and may get a visa.
Creators who are approved for a Golden Visa can live and work in Dubai for 10 years. This specific type of visa comes with perks including:
- not needing a sponsor
- being able to stay outside the UAE for more than six months while still keeping their visa valid
- the ability to sponsor spouses and children, so creators’ families can come live with them in Dubai
- and the ability to sponsor employees, so creators can bring folks like their assistants, crew, and editors
Creators HQ says it will walk creators through every step of acquiring a Golden Visa. And, since content makers have to pass muster to join Creators HQ, it’s likely their credentials will already be evaluated and they’ll be fast-tracked to get a letter of approval.
Once they’re approved, Creators HQ will assist them with the normally lengthy and expensive process of relocating to Dubai, it says.
Creators HQ recently accepted its first 100 members–the Founding Members. Applications are open for creators around the world who want to join the initiative and move to Dubai. You can find more information here.
