Dubai-based Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik have been granted the 10-year UAE Golden Visa, according to a statement. After Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt, Mirza is one of the biggest Indian personalities to receive this honour.
Mirza, known to have single-handedly put Indian women's tennis on the global map, is currently in London for Wimbledon 2021. She progressed to the second round in the women's doubles event and made it to the third round of mixed doubles with tennis partner Rohan Bopanna.
Shoaib Malik, former Pakistan cricket captain, is an all-rounder that has played in 35 Tests, 287 one-day internationals and 116 T20 internationals for his country.
In 2019, the UAE established a new system for long-term residence visas. These Golden Visas are issued for 5 or 10 years and will be renewed automatically. Both Mirza and Malik are excited to spend time in the UAE with their son and explore the country. They are keen on launching their own entrepreneurial venture in the sports industry starting with Dubai.
