Dubai Launches Gaming Visa to Attract Global Talent, Eyes Indian Market

India is crucial to Dubai's strategy, having emerged as a global gaming hub with more mobile game downloads than the US

Aiming to become a worldwide gaming powerhouse by 2033, Dubai has made a bold move by introducing a gaming visa that could cause a talent drain in India by drawing in top talent from the gaming business. Launched in May, this initiative seeks to bring skilled gamers, developers, content creators, and other professionals to bolster Dubai's burgeoning gaming sector. Applicants for the gaming visa must have a proven track record in the industry and be at least 25 years old.

India is crucial to Dubai's strategy, having emerged as a global gaming hub with more mobile game downloads than the US and Brazil combined, according to Parth Chadha, co-founder of esports startup STAN. India's gaming talent pool is impressive, boasting over 18,000 game developers and 600 million gamers. Additionally, the country is home to over 2 million esports players and gaming content creators, noted Rohit Agarwal, founder of the gaming-focused marketing agency Alpha Zegus.

Dubai's allure as a dream destination for individuals and startups, coupled with the UAE government's lucrative benefits for the gaming sector, is expected to exert pressure on Indian gaming companies. Akshat Rathee, co-founder and MD of Nazara-owned Nodwin Gaming, emphasized Dubai's potential to attract a wide range of Indian gaming talent, including game developers, designers, content creators, and esports athletes.

Rathee, who has collaborated with Dubai's government on the gaming visa initiative, highlighted the opportunities for Indian professionals skilled in game engines like Unity and UEFN. Esports athletes and content creators for popular games such as BGMI, VALORANT, and Free Fire, along with graphic designers, animators, project managers, producers, and marketing experts, are among the talents Dubai aims to attract.