First Arab expat gets UAE 'Golden Card'

Ziad Saleh has became the first Arab expatriate to be granted permanent residency in the UAE.

The CEO of Alain Pharmacy Group was given a ‘Golden Card’ by authorities on Friday. 

Saleh received his card along with Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, managing director of VPS Healthcare.

The two are one of the first of 6,800 investors with total investments of AED 100 billion who will get lifelong residency under a new scheme that was announced last month.

The initiative is expected to benefit investors and exceptional talents in the fields of medicine, engineering, science and arts.

Earlier this month Indian billionaire Yousuf Ali became the first expat to be granted permanent residency in the UAE.