Five Bangladeshi expats have received gold card visas in the UAE so far

Five Bangladeshi expatriates have been granted the UAE’s gold card permanent residency visas so far, it was revealed on Thursday.

Two Bangladeshi businessmen from the same family and same company – Al Haramain Group – were the latest to receive the visas earlier this week.

Al Haramain Group’s vice-chairman Oliur Rahman and deputy managing director Emadur Rahman received the visas on Tuesday, August 6.

The company’s chairman Mahtabur Rahman – Oliur’s brother and Emadur’s father – was granted the gold card visa on June 17.

Al Haramain Group has diversified business interests in perfumes, tea, banking, education, healthcare and hospitality sectors, and currently owns more than 20 business establishments across the GCC, Bangladesh, Malaysia, the UK and US.

“We shifted our business to the UAE from Saudi Arabia 38 years ago. Since then, our business thrived,” said Mahtabur Rahman.

“The gold visa is an honour for me, my family and my country Bangladesh. This will encourage us to investment more in to the UAE economy and help the UAE economy expand more.”

Mahbubul Alam Manik, a Dubai-based industrialist, and Akhter Hossain, a Ras Al Khaimah-based businessman with interests in real estate and retail activities are the other two Bangladeshi nationals who have received the long-term visas.

Bangladeshi nationals own more than 50,000 businesses in the UAE and employ more than 150,000 people, a statement said.

The UAE launched the permanent residency scheme for expatriates in May this year, targeting investors and exceptional doctors, engineers, scientists and artists.

The first batch of 6,800 recipients includes expats who have made total investments of over Dhs100bn.

Indian businessman M.A Yussufali, the chairman and director Lulu Group, became the first expat in the UAE to receive the gold card permanent residency in June.

Read: Indian businessman becomes first expat to get UAE gold card residency

Gold card holders are granted a 10-year residency visa covering them and and their families (spouse and children) without the need for a sponsor, which will be automatically renewed provided all the conditions are met.

They can freely move in and out of the country and investors can also employ three workers and obtain residence for a senior employee, advisor or manager.

Read: UAE unveils ‘golden card’ permanent residency scheme for expats