Sharjah’s first golden card visa has been granted today to Lalu Samuel,  Chairman and Managing Director of Kingston Holdings and Chairman of Sharjah Industry Business Group, which functions under the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Sharjah has issued the first golden card to Samuel as part of the permanent residency system tailored for investors. The Golden Card System was implemented as per the Cabinet decision No.56 of 2018, by which a package of facilities has been offered to investors, entrepreneurs, talented people who meet specified conditions as well as their families.

The permanent visa was presented to Samuel by HE Brigadier Arif Mohammed Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Foreigners Affairsand Ports in Sharjah, in the presence of Colonel Abdullah Saleh Al Naqbi, Deputy Director of Residence & Entry Permits as well as a number of senior officials.

The golden card holders are entitled to a host of privileges and facilities including a residency visa without a sponsor to them and their families (spouse and children). The holders can also sponsor up to three workers and obtain a residency visa for one of his/her senior employees.

Lalu Samuel thanked Sharjah’s Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs for its initiative to contact him and introduce him to the golden visa system, stressing the importance of this initiative to support the UAE’s investment sector, ensure family stability and highlight the importance of cultural diversity, tolerance and acceptance of others within n the UAE community.

He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the UAE’s wise leadership, particularly His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, thanks to his unlimited support, close follow up to the emirate’s businessmen and investors, responding to their needs and meeting challenges and all difficulties facing their activities.

The “Golden Card” is a 10-year long-term visa eligible for investors and entrepreneurs and aims to attract capital, investments and owners of leading companies with international expertise as well as professionals in all vital sectors of the national economy, researchers in scientific fields and outstanding students, so as to engage them in the renaissance and development of the UAE.