Dubai Opens Visa Program for Gaming Professionals

Dubai government launches visa program aimed at gaming professionals

The government of Dubai has officially launched the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, a visa program that allows esports, gaming, and technology talent to enter the country to conduct business for an extended period of time.

The program is being facilitated and overseen by Dubai Future Foundation, a government agency that works with public and private sector partners to promote the city as one of the top destinations in the world to do business. From the official program website:

“The initiative aims to create a global platform in Dubai that brings together digital content creators and provides training and job opportunities in partnership with international companies, universities and academic institutions. It will also support entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as launch specialized educational and training programs.”

“Through the launch of ‘Dubai Program for Gaming 2033,’ our objective is to establish an incubating environment for developers and to draw leading technology companies from across the globe, particularly those specializing in digital content and experiences,” said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation. “The program will offer support to developers, designers, programmers, as well as entrepreneurs and startups in the creative industries.”

The page notes that:

• Obtaining an approval/permit issuance from Dubai Culture is not final approval and is conditional on other approvals from local/federal authorities concerned with issuing the visa.
• Applicants must be at least 25 years old.
• Dubai Culture reserves the right to reject any application without clarifying reasons.
• Dubai Culture will not accept applications submitted by companies or service centers.

You can learn more about the program at dubaigaming.gov.ae.

Dubai has been courting gaming and esports companies to do business within the city over the last several years, and has attracted some attention from companies such as tournament organizer BLAST and True Gamers, who plan on building an esports and/or gaming-themed tourist destination.