GDRFA launches Golden Cultural Visa at Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has participated in the 16th edition of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, engaging in a session titled "The World as an Open Book." 

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is currently co-organized by Emirates and Dubai Culture. During the session, HE Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA, outlined the innovative initiatives launched by the directorate to enhance the travel experience at Dubai airports using proactive solutions, smart projects, and digital developments. 

The session also touched on the children's passport counter, an innovative project introduced by GDRFA. Designed as a global first, this initiative aims to enchant young travellers by granting them the opportunity to stamp their own entry permits on their passports. 

It doesn’t only adds an element of fun to travel for young ones but also contributes to redefining the overall travel experience through Dubai's ports, setting a new benchmark in travel innovation.

As the session drew to a close, the Directorate announced the launch of “Golden Cultural Visa”. The new initiative awards the golden visa to a distinguished Arab literary figure annually in conjunction with the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. 

This year, the prestigious accolade was presented to the renowned Egyptian poet Ahmed Bakhit, in acknowledgment of his profound impact on the evolution of Arabic poetry, introducing elements that are new, influential, and distinct.

Hala Badri, Director General of the Dubai Culture, said that the Golden Cultural Visa initiative reflects Dubai's forward-looking aspirations and strategic objectives to position itself as the global capital of the creative economy by 2026.