Indian esports pros, content creators included in UAE's Golden Visa program

The UAE’s new nomination-based Golden Visa initiative has stirred notable interest in India across various sectors including esports and content creation. Unlike previous residency pathways that required real estate or business investment, this program opens a more accessible door for professionals across several sectors including digital content creation and esports through a merit-driven nomination system.

For a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (roughly ₹23 lakh), qualifying individuals can now obtain residency in the UAE, bypassing the need for traditional sponsorships or investments. The program covers a wide range of roles, including game developers, competitive esports athletes with international exposure, content creators in gaming, founders of gaming-related ventures, skilled animators, etc.

Once growing rapidly, Indian Counter-Strike hit a speedbump during the COVID-19 pandemic with the absence of LANs slowing things down considerably. With a number of Counter-Strike pros shifting to VALORANT and content creation, the Indian scene now moves at a slower pace. However, games like Counter-Strike retain a deeply loyal base of players, many of whom have long aspired to transition into international leagues or content creation careers that extend beyond India’s relatively young esports infrastructure. For players and creators in this space, the UAE’s program could serve as a practical alternative for career expansion.

Unlike speculative stories that label such programs as revolutionary for esports, the reality is more grounded. The Golden Visa isn’t a magic ticket to fame or funding, but it does provide a relatively stable base for those who have already achieved a degree of credibility, be it a top-tier Counter-Strike IGL, a coach with LAN experience, or a streamer with a consistently growing subscriber base. The lifestyle flexibility and regional appeal of the UAE might also open up brand partnerships and multilingual audiences.

However, the nomination-based route means not everyone can apply freely. Candidates will be vetted for their work history, impact, and online presence. In a sense, this filters out hobbyists and puts the spotlight on professionals who have treated gaming or content creation as a legitimate, long-term career. That said, it’s still one of the few international residency programs that explicitly includes gaming as an eligible field.