Dubai's Golden Visa Scheme: The Hidden Reason for Celebrity Praise During Conflict
While the United Arab Emirates faces ongoing missile and drone attacks from Iran, a curious phenomenon has emerged: celebrities and influencers based in Dubai are publicly singing the city's praises, insisting life continues as normal. This occurs despite terrifying incidents, such as missile debris hitting luxury locations like the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah, and official warnings from embassies urging residents to shelter indoors.
Celebrities Maintain Normalcy Amidst Chaos
In recent days, stars like Kate Ferdinand, Luisa Zissman, and Arabella Chi have shared social media posts depicting shopping trips, sunbathing sessions, and romantic dinners in Dubai. This contrasts sharply with the reality of the conflict, where the UAE intercepted six missiles and 131 drones in a single day, prompting the British Embassy to advise against all but essential travel.
Some celebrities have opted to leave early, such as Laura Anderson and Sam Gowland, who fled on luxury flights. However, their departure messages included effusive thanks to the UAE government for protection. Anderson wrote on Instagram: "Thank you to the UAE government for protecting us... I will always be proud to have been an expat." Similarly, Gowland praised the government's efforts as "absolutely incredible."
The Golden Visa Incentive
Experts point to Dubai's Golden Visa scheme as a key factor behind this positive messaging. Launched in 2019, the program offers residency to investors, entrepreneurs, and specialized talents. In January, the UAE and Creators HQ introduced a specific visa for content creators, providing:
- Residency permits
- Access to podcast studios and offices
- Business and legal support
- Assistance in setting up local businesses
On The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Richard Osman explained that individuals are "massively incentivized" to move to Dubai under this scheme. Co-host Marina Hyde noted a darker aspect: influencers may face detention for defamatory comments or be required to perform state work, though this is rarely discussed publicly.
Influencer Operations and Propaganda Concerns
TikTok videos have surfaced following a similar format, with influencers praising Dubai's leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for protection. One video asks, "You live in Dubai aren’t you scared?" before showing images of the Prime Minister with the caption: "No, because I know who protects us."
Katja Muñoz, a senior research fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations, told the Financial Times that this resembles an influence operation. She stated: "It’s not quite propaganda but it has a touch of it... They have established structures already — they have existing relationships with influencers which they have been able to use very quickly."
One TikToker, Juli, admitted in a follow-up video that she was initially scared by the rockets but praised Dubai for providing business opportunities, safety, and lifestyle benefits. Her confession has been criticized as another commercial plug for the city.
Contrasting Realities in the Sunshine City
Despite the conflict, Dubai continues to market itself as a safe haven for the wealthy and famous. The city's Instagram-friendly infrastructure, including a headquarters for the platform, supports this image. However, the juxtaposition of missile interceptions and sunny poolside posts raises questions about authenticity and motivation.
While the grass may not always be greener elsewhere, in Dubai it appears to be golden—both literally and figuratively, thanks to strategic visa programs and influencer partnerships that shape public perception during times of crisis.
