
Two Thai women, owners of a date palm farm with over 5,000 trees, made history by becoming the first foreigners to receive the coveted UAE Golden Visa for their outstanding efforts in cultivating dates. This recognition, bestowed during the 2025 Dubai Dates Festival, celebrated their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to promoting date farming, seamlessly blending agriculture, business, and heritage promotion. The unexpected visa award to these farmers sheds light on the potential of farming and culture to unlock new opportunities, defying the traditional categories typically associated with the Golden Visa program.