UAE Golden Visa for Farmers? How two Thai women became the first receipt for increasing dates abroad

Two Thai women, who run a farm with more than 5,000 date palms, participated in the Dubai Dates Festival to promote their produce and cultural exchange/ image: Khalij Times, Tiktok

The Golden Visa of the UAE is one of the most demanded residences in the region, usually given to investors, scientists, entrepreneurs and other high-profile professionals. But this year, for the first time, two Thai women running a date form were awarded visas, questioned, and curiosity, how farming and culture can open unpredictable doors.

How two Thai farmers became golden visa recipients

Owner of the Orwan farm in Thailand, two women, manage a large scale plantation with more than 5,000 fruit-bearing palm trees. They are not just farmers; They are also entrepreneurs who have converted their farm into a business, producing and marketing the dates within Thailand and beyond.Their recognition did not come through normal channels, they were implemented, investment or not through a formal process. Instead, he was directly nominated by the General Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of Dubai, who is the authority that oversees the Golden Visa approval. The nomination was done during his visit to Dubai, where he was invited to the ongoing Dubai Dates Festival.There, he personally met GDRFA Director General Lt Gen Mohammad Ahmed Al Mary, who accepted his work in a face-to-face meeting. According to the Khaleej Times, his enrollment “was based on” promoting the cultivation of date beyond the UAE and his role in spreading the Emirati heritage and values globally, “helps to increase the global awareness of the fruit, which has a deep cultural and historical meaning in Emirati life.

What is their story

On paper, UAE’s Golden Visa program does not list farmers or agricultural workers as eligible categories. It is mainly designed for individuals who contribute to the development of the country through investment, entrepreneurship, real estate, science, culture, education and human work. The visa usually goes to business owners, researchers, skilled professionals or people with important capital. But this case is different, and that is why it matters.Thai women are only increasing dates. They are using social media platforms such as Tikokok, so that they promote health benefits and cultural relevance of dates, reaching the audience that may not attach to the subject otherwise. They have essentially become an informal ambassador to fruit, and in detail, a tradition that is central for the heritage of the UAE.Their selection is the first time the Golden Visa has been given to foreigners cultivating the dates outside the Emirates, a significant recognition that comes with the actual advantage. Visa grants a 10 -year Akshaya residence, allows recipients to live and work without sponsorship, and involves the ability to sponsor family members and appoint domestic workers. For many people, it is an entrance to long -term security and flexibility in the United Arab Emirates.Another factor that separates them is their active participation. He traveled from Thailand to participate in the UAE-based cultural and agricultural program, a step that reflects real interest and initiative. Participating in such a niche festival, rather than promoting his work from a distance, possibly played a role in achieving his efforts by the local authorities.

Where did this happen: Dubai Dates Festival

The award was received during the Dubai Dates Festival, which runs from Kalat al Remal (Al Remah Fort), Dubai -Al -An Road from 25 July to 1 August. The event is now organized by Hamdan bin Mohammad Heritage Center in its second edition, and the date focuses on both agriculture and cultural importance of palms.The festival includes:

From 10 am to 10 pm, the program mixes education, commerce and cultural story, and it is clear that Thai women participation was not just a side event. It was central why he was recognized.