Veteran Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari has revealed why she declined an offer to obtain the UAE’s Golden Visa, sharing candid views about her personal preferences and impressions of Dubai.
Speaking during a recent web show appearance, Bushra Ansari said she had been offered the Golden Visa, even free of cost by a travel agent, but chose not to accept it.
The actress criticised what she described as a lack of focus on education in the United Arab Emirates, saying that despite immense wealth generated from oil resources, the country has not developed institutions comparable to globally renowned universities.
She remarked that if such educational investment had been prioritised, citizens could have emerged as leading professionals, thinkers, and scientists on the global stage.
Sharing her personal experience, Bushra Ansari said she often feels uneasy during visits to Dubai, describing the environment as overly materialistic. “Everything appears branded from roads to perfumes and accessories — giving an artificial or ‘plastic’ feel,” she said.
The actress added that she has no particular interest in settling in Dubai and does not have close family ties there, which further influenced her decision to decline the visa offer.
Her remarks have triggered debate on social media, with users expressing mixed reactions some supporting her viewpoint while others criticised her comments about lifestyle and priorities in the Gulf state.