Dubai: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai confirmed the continuation of developing an integrated service system that enhances family stability and quality of life, based on Dubai's vision of building a more cohesive and sustainable community, and solidifying its position as the best city for living, working, and stability in the world.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of the "Dubai Social Agenda 33," launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, under the slogan "The Family is the Foundation of the Nation." It aims to build happier, more connected families and improve quality of life, while also supporting the goals of the "Dubai Economic Agenda D33," which seeks to establish Dubai among the top three global cities by enhancing its appeal to talents, families, and investors from around the world. This is in celebration of the International Day of Families, observed on May 15 each year.

In this context, Dubai Residency continues to develop a comprehensive service system aimed at enhancing family stability and facilitating the customer journey, through a wide range of digital services related to families to improve the quality of life for their members and support their stability. This includes services for visitor visas for relatives and friends, residency issuance for family members, as well as passport and family data services, including the issuance and renewal of passports, issuance of lost or damaged passports, modification of civil registry data, issuance of movement data and reports, and other services provided within an interconnected digital system that contributes to speeding up procedures and enhancing the quality of life.

Dubai Residency also continues to develop its services related to the Golden Visa, which are dedicated to categories such as investors, real estate investors, scientists and specialists, entrepreneurs, humanitarian workers, outstanding individuals, and retirees. This allows their first-degree family members to benefit from the advantages of the Golden Visa, reflecting Dubai's approach to attracting talents, minds, and investments within a stable community environment that supports family balance and community sustainability.

Data released by Dubai Residency showed continuous growth in family members' residencies from 2021 to the first quarter of 2026, reflecting Dubai's increasing appeal as a preferred global destination for families and the growing trust in the community and service environment provided by the emirate.

The golden residencies designated for families recorded rapid growth during the same period, with the number of residencies issued to the families of specialised talent owners exceeding 167,124 residencies. The number of residencies issued to the families of real estate investors surpassed 100,286 residencies, in addition to more than 70,247 residencies for the families of scientists and specialists, 37,022 residencies for the families of investors, and 3,259 residencies for the families of retirees. This is alongside thousands of other residencies for categories such as entrepreneurs, humanitarian workers, and outstanding students, reflecting the diversity of the community environment embraced by Dubai and its ability to attract talents, minds, and capital within a developmental model that places the individual and family at the core of its priorities.

These indicators reflect Dubai's role in supporting community stability and quality of life through a system of proactive digital services based on innovation and institutional integration, while continuing to enhance the experience of families through integrated digital channels that enable the completion of services easily and quickly within a government model that employs technology and artificial intelligence to provide a smoother and more efficient experience, thereby enhancing Dubai's position as a global destination attractive to families and talents.

His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, affirmed that the family represents the foundation of stable and prosperous societies, and that developing services related to it is a pivotal part of Dubai's future vision.

His Excellency said: "Dubai continues to establish a global model that places the individual and the family at the heart of development, while we at Dubai Holding work on developing a system of digital and flexible services that enhance stability and quality of life, and reinforce families' sense of security and belonging within a government environment that anticipates the future and meets the aspirations of the community."

His Excellency added: "The continuous growth in family residencies and golden residencies reflects the increasing global confidence in Dubai as a destination for living and settling, and its success in building an advanced community environment that attracts talents and families from all over the world."