Dubai awards Golden Visas to private-sector educators on World Teachers' Day

Dubai marked World Teachers' Day on 5 October 2026 by handing Golden Visas to a group of educators from private institutions. The awards follow directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's Crown Prince. Each recipient gets a residency permit valid for 10 years. Khaleej Times described the recipients as a select group recognised for exceptional performance.

The scheme for private-sector teachers started on 5 October 2024. Since then, more than 835 educators have applied. It is open to staff at Dubai's private early childhood centres, schools, colleges and universities, and The National describes it as an annual programme. It sits within Education 33 (E33), the emirate's education strategy, which aims to bring capable teachers to Dubai and keep them there.

Selection rests on a professional assessment. The assessment looks at qualifications, career achievements, and the candidate's contribution to education and to the community. Feedback from parents and students counts too. Another criterion is how the teacher's pupils perform, including their academic progress and the accredited qualifications they earn. Creative approaches to teaching and a visible rise in teaching quality also weigh in a candidate's favour.

According to The National, full eligibility rules and the application process are published on the website of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Teachers at private schools and universities who hope to qualify should watch for its announcements.

Khaleej Times reported the awards. The National and Gulf News also set out the selection criteria.