Key Highlights

• Mandatory DVN Requirement: Nigerian applicants must obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) costing approximately N688,000 before applying for any UAE visa.​
• 10-Year Property Investment Route: Invest AED 2 million or more through the Dubai Land Department for a 10-year renewable Golden Visa.​
• Skilled Professionals: Minimum basic salary of AED 30,000 per month (excluding allowances) is required for Golden Visa eligibility.​

Have you built a successful career or business in Nigeria, and now you’re eyeing the UAE as your next growth frontier? You are in the right place. 

Dubai’s skyline, tax-free income, and position as a global business hub have been on your radar for years. But there’s a catch. You’ve heard the visa process for Nigerians has new requirements, including a mandatory Document Verification Number that costs nearly N700,000. The regulations seem complex, and you’re not sure which Golden Visa category fits your profile.

Here’s the good news. The UAE Golden Visa offers Nigerian nationals a legitimate pathway to long-term residency without needing a local sponsor. Keep reading this article to learn more. 

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. Requirements, fees, and procedures are subject to change by UAE authorities. Readers should verify current details through official government channels or contact JSB Incorporation for personalized guidance.

Core Benefits for Nigerian Applicants

Golden Visa holders enjoy several exclusive privileges that make this program particularly attractive:​

• No local sponsor required. You maintain complete independence in your professional pursuits without depending on an employer or company to maintain your residency status.​
• Extended stays outside the UAE. Regular residence visa holders face cancellation after six months abroad. Golden Visa holders can remain outside the country for extended periods without jeopardizing their status.​
• Family sponsorship without restrictions. You can sponsor your spouse, children of any age (unmarried), parents, and domestic helpers. Unlike regular visas with age limits for sons (typically 25 years), the Golden Visa removes these restrictions entirely.​
• Renewable long-term residency. Depending on your category, you receive either a 5-year or 10-year visa that’s fully renewable as long as you continue meeting the eligibility requirements.​
• Continuity for family members. If the primary visa holder passes away, sponsored family members can remain in the UAE until their permits expire.​

Eligibility Categories for Nigerian Citizens

The UAE government has established multiple pathways to Golden Visa eligibility. Each category has specific requirements and visa durations.

1. Real Estate Investors (10-Year Visa via Dubai Land Department)

The real estate investment route through the Dubai Land Department offers the most straightforward pathway to a 10-year Golden Visa.​

Investment Requirements:

• Minimum property value of AED 2,000,000 (approximately USD 545,000)​
• Property must be registered in the applicant’s name​
• Multiple properties can be combined to meet the threshold​
• Mortgaged properties are eligible with a bank NOC letter confirming AED 2 million paid amount​
• The applicant must be inside the UAE at the time of application​

Spouses can jointly own a property, but if the combined value is less than AED 4 million, only one person can apply as the primary visa holder and then sponsor the other.​

2. Public Investment Investors (10-Year Visa)

Investors in accredited UAE investment funds can qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa by depositing a minimum of AED 2,000,000. You must provide an approval letter from the investment fund confirming the deposit amount.​

3. Entrepreneurs (5-Year Visa)

If you own an innovative business venture, you may qualify for a 5-year Golden Visa with the following requirements:​

• Approval from an auditor in the UAE confirming project value of at least AED 500,000​
• Approval from UAE authorities confirming the project is of a technical or future nature​
• Approval from a UAE-accredited business incubator​
• Valid trade license​

4. Skilled Professionals (10-Year Visa)

Skilled professionals can qualify for the Golden Visa under specific employment and salary criteria:​

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be employed in the UAE​
• Hold a role classified by MOHRE as Level 1 (Managers & Business Executives) or Level 2 (Professionals in Sciences, Engineering, Health, Education, Business, IT, Law, Sociology, and Culture)​
• Minimum educational qualification of bachelor’s degree or equivalent​
• Minimum basic monthly salary of AED 30,000 (excluding allowances)​
• Valid practicing license if required (physicians, pharmacists, teachers, etc.)​

5. Scientists and Researchers (10-Year Visa)

Accredited researchers working in universities or research centers can qualify with:​

• Emirates Scientists Council membership or recommendation
• Master’s or PhD in Engineering, Technology, Life Sciences, or Natural Sciences​
• For Abu Dhabi: PhD from top 500 universities or Master’s from top 250 universities​
• Field Weighted Citation Index (FWCI) grade of 1.0 and H-index of 10 or higher​

6. Outstanding Students and Graduates

The UAE welcomes exceptional academic talent through several pathways with different visa durations:​

7. Executive Directors (10-Year Visa)

Senior executives can qualify with:​

• Certified university degree
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience
• Minimum monthly salary of AED 50,000
• Valid work contract in the UAE

8. Exceptional Talents (10-Year Visa)

This category encompasses:​

• Creative talents: Recommendation from Ministry of Culture required
• Athletes: Recommendation from relevant sports council required
• Inventors: Must hold a patent from UAE Ministry of Economy

Also Read: How to Check Your Golden Visa Status Online in the UAE

Pre-Application Requirements for Nigerians

1. Document Verification Number (DVN), Mandatory Since July 2024

As of July 2024, all Nigerian travellers above 13 years must obtain a DVN before applying for any UAE visa. This requirement was introduced following negotiations between the Nigerian and UAE governments to resume visa issuance after a suspension period.​

DVN Process:

Visit the official Document Verification Hub at documentverificationhub.ae. Provide the following information: given names, surname, country of residence, date of birth, NIN (National Identification Number), passport information, email address, travel dates, and passport data page.​

DVN Costs:

The DVN is typically issued within 5 working days of payment confirmation. Once received, it remains valid for 14 days from issuance or until the visa application is processed, whichever comes first.​

2. Nigerian Passport Requirements

Your passport must meet these criteria:

• Valid for at least 6 months from the application date​
• Minimum 2 blank visa pages for endorsement

Document Checklist by Category

1. Documents Required for All Categories

2. Real Estate Investor Documents

3. Skilled Professional Documents

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Obtain Document Verification Number (DVN)

Visit documentverificationhub.ae and complete the application with all required personal details. Pay the verification fee of approximately N688,000. You will receive your DVN via email within 5 working days. Keep this number safe, as it’s valid for only 14 days.​

Step 2: Gather and Attest Documents

Collect all required documents specific to your chosen category. For educational certificates and personal documents not in Arabic, arrange for legal translation by an approved translator. Complete the attestation process:​

1. Notarization in Nigeria by a registered notary​
2. Ministry verification (Ministry of Education for educational documents)​
3. UAE Embassy attestation at the UAE Consulate in Lagos​
4. MOFA attestation in the UAE as the final step​

Step 3: Choose Your Application Channel

Several official portals are available depending on your category and emirate:

For real estate investors using the Dubai Land Department, the process is streamlined. You can apply directly through their online portal or visit designated service centers.​

Step 4: Submit Application and Await Approval

Complete the online application, upload required documents, and pay applicable fees. Processing typically takes 7-10 business days for real estate investor applications through the Dubai Land Department. Upon approval, applicants from outside the UAE receive a 6-month entry permit to enter the country and complete residency formalities.​

Step 5: Complete In-Country Procedures

After entering the UAE with your entry permit, complete these remaining steps: 

Medical Fitness Test: Undergo examination at a government-approved health center (DHA-approved for Dubai). The test includes blood screening (HIV, Hepatitis B/C, syphilis) and chest X-ray for tuberculosis. Foreign nationals must be free of communicable diseases to obtain residence permits.​

Biometric Submission: Provide fingerprints and photographs for your Emirates ID. The Emirates ID for Golden Visa holders is valid for 10 years.​

Step 6: Receive Golden Visa and Emirates ID

Upon successful completion, your Golden Visa will be issued electronically and linked to your Emirates ID. The residence permit is sent via email.​

Application Fees

1. DVN Costs (Nigeria-Specific)

2. Golden Visa Fees (Dubai Land Department, Real Estate Investors)

3. Family Sponsorship Fees (Dubai Land Department)

Family Sponsorship Under Golden Visa

Golden Visa holders can sponsor the following family members without the typical age restrictions found in regular residence visas:​

Eligible Dependents:

• Spouse: Legally recognized spouses with attested marriage certificate​
• Children: Sons and daughters of any age (unmarried), with attested birth certificates​
• Parents: With certified dependency certificate from consulate​
• Domestic helpers: Based on your requirements​

For spousal sponsorship, if the mother is the sponsor, a notarized NOC from the father is required. Children over 18 require an undertaking confirming they are unmarried.​

UAE Consulate in Nigeria

UAE Consulate General in Lagos:

Nigeria-UAE trade relations reached a record $4.3 billion for non-oil commodities in 2024. The UAE was among Nigeria’s top 5 trading partners in Q2 2025, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship. Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 Nigerians currently live in the UAE.​

Also Read:UAE Golden Visa Property Purchase Rules for Joint Business Owners

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Nigerians apply for the UAE Golden Visa?

Yes. Nigerian nationals can apply for the UAE Golden Visa provided they meet the eligibility criteria for their chosen category and obtain the mandatory Document Verification Number (DVN).​

2. What is the DVN and how much does it cost?

The Document Verification Number is a mandatory verification process introduced in July 2024 for all Nigerian travellers above 13 years. It authenticates documentation essential for visa applications. The total cost is approximately N688,000 (non-refundable), and the DVN is valid for 14 days from issuance.​

3. What is the minimum real estate investment for a 10-year Golden Visa?

Through the Dubai Land Department, the minimum property investment is AED 2,000,000 (approximately USD 545,000) for a 10-year Golden Visa. Multiple properties can be combined to meet this threshold.​

4. What salary is required for skilled professionals?

As of 2025, skilled professionals must demonstrate a minimum basic salary of AED 30,000 per month. This excludes allowances such as housing and transportation.​

5. Can I apply from outside the UAE?

Yes. Applicants from outside the UAE receive a 6-month entry permit upon initial approval. This allows you to enter the country and complete residency formalities, including medical tests and biometric submission.​

6. Can I sponsor my family under the Golden Visa?

Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children of any age (unmarried), parents, and domestic helpers. Unlike regular visas, there is no age cap for sons or daughters.​

7. How long does the Golden Visa application take?

Through the Dubai Land Department for real estate investors, processing takes approximately 7-10 business days after document submission. The complete timeline from application to visa issuance is typically 2-4 weeks.​

8. Do I need to stay in the UAE to maintain my Golden Visa?

No. Golden Visa holders have the flexibility to stay outside the UAE for extended periods without losing residency status. This is a significant advantage over regular visa holders who face cancellation after six months abroad.​

Ready to Start Your UAE Golden Visa Journey?

The UAE Golden Visa represents a valuable opportunity for Nigerian professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs. 

JSB Incorporation specializes in helping Nigerian nationals navigate the complete business setup and Golden Visa process in the UAE. With expertise across 24+ UAE jurisdictions, including DMCC, IFZA, and JAFZA, JSB offers transparent pricing, higher success rates, and end-to-end support from company formation to Golden Visa approval.

Whether you’re considering real estate investment, relocating your business, or qualifying through your professional credentials, JSB’s team provides personalized guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Book your free consultation call today with the experts of JSB Incorporation to learn more about securing your Golden visa from Nigeria.