Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs has announced remarkable achievements during the first half of 2026, completing more than 5 million entry permit transactions, highlighting the emirate’s growing appeal to visitors and residents alike.

The authority also revealed that over 1.051 million new residency permits were issued during the same period, in addition to processing more than 910,000 residency renewals, reflecting sustained demand for living and working opportunities in Dubai.

Furthermore, nearly 66,000 golden visas were granted during the first six months of the year, reinforcing the UAE’s strategic direction to attract global talent and investors, and strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading international hub.

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the authority, emphasized that these figures demonstrate the efficiency of Dubai’s government systems, noting that the Zero Bureaucracy initiative, implemented over a year ago, has significantly streamlined procedures and reduced processing time.

He added that the next phase will focus on launching more smart services and expanding the use of artificial intelligence to enhance customer experience, improve service speed and efficiency, and further solidify Dubai’s leadership in digital government services.