Sharjah resident Kishore Pandurang Rao plans to reunite his family, travel the world with his wife and explore his long-held ambition of obtaining a UAE Golden Visa
An Indian expatriate who has lived in the United Arab Emirates for more than three decades has won AED 5 million (approximately ₹12.9 crore) in the UAE Lottery, giving him an opportunity to pursue long-standing family and personal ambitions.
Kishore Pandurang Rao, a resident of Sharjah, won the second prize in the Lucky Day draw held on October 3. The unexpected windfall came just five days before his 60th birthday, according to media reports published on October 26.
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Rao, who first arrived in the UAE in 1993, bought the winning ticket for AED 50, equivalent to around ₹1,300. He used the lottery platform’s Easy Pick option, which automatically generated his numbers. Matching all six numbers in the draw’s “Days” section secured him the AED 5 million prize.
Initially, Rao found it difficult to believe he had won, even after seeing his name in news reports. He subsequently checked his lottery account to confirm the result.
Family and travel his top priorities
Rather than making immediate decisions about the money, Rao said he wanted to consider how best to use it for his family’s future.
One of his main priorities is to bring his family together in the UAE after periods of living apart. He also hopes to support his elder son’s plans to start a business and help his younger son pursue higher education, according to The National.
Travelling around the world with his wife is another ambition he hopes to fulfil. Rao said he wanted to spend more time with his family and enjoy experiences that had been difficult to pursue during his working years.
Golden Visa remains a long-held ambition
Rao also hopes to explore the possibility of obtaining a UAE Golden Visa. Having spent more than 30 years in the country, he said the UAE had become an important part of his life
However, winning the lottery does not automatically qualify him for the long-term residency visa. His application would still need to meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
Rao has lived in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi during his time in the UAE. He is considering his next steps carefully rather than making major financial commitments immediately.
Despite his good fortune, Rao has urged people who participate in lottery games to establish clear spending limits and remain mindful of how much they spend.
His win has brought new possibilities as he enters a new stage of life, with family, financial security and travel at the centre of his plans.
