Key Highlights: 

• The UAE Golden Visa salary requirement for 2025 mandates a minimum basic salary of AED 30,000 per month, with allowances no longer counted toward eligibility.
• Only professionals classified under MoHRE Skill Levels 1 and 2-such as managers, engineers, doctors, educators, and IT specialists-are eligible for the Golden Visa.
• Applicants must provide a valid employment contract, an attested bachelor’s degree or higher, a labor permit, and proof of comprehensive UAE health insurance.

According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), skilled professionals must earn a minimum basic salary of AED 30,000 per month (excluding allowances) to qualify for the UAE Golden Visa in 2025. This visa is designed to attract talented individuals across key sectors such as science, engineering, medicine, education, and technology. 

By securing a Golden Visa, you can live, work, and study in the UAE without a national sponsor. Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouses, children, and domestic workers if they meet minimum income requirements and provide proof of relationship. 

If you are looking to secure the UAE golden visa as a salaried employee, continue reading to learn more. 

2025 Salary Requirement: Key Details

To be eligible for the Dubai Golden Visa in 2025, you need to make at least AED 30,000 per month. Allowances for housing or transportation are not included; your base salary is essential.

Previously, you might have qualified if your overall monthly package reached AED 30,000, even if your basic salary was lower. However, under the 2025 rules, only your basic salary counts toward eligibility. 

This rule change raises the bar for eligibility. Many applicants who relied on allowances to meet the salary requirement may now be ineligible for the Golden Visa, even if their total pay package exceeds AED 30,000.

Who is Affected?

If you’re a working professional aiming for long-term residency in the UAE, the 2025 salary rule change could directly impact your eligibility, even if you’re in a traditionally qualifying role.

1. Professions Typically Eligible

You’re still likely to qualify for the Golden Visa if you work in high-demand fields such as:

• Management and Executive Leadership
• Engineering (all disciplines)
• Medicine and Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Law and Legal Services
• Education and Academia
• Business, Finance, and Accounting
• Science and Research
• Social Sciences and Humanities

However, regardless of your industry or job title, it is now essential that you satisfy the minimum basic pay.

1. MoHRE Classification Requirement

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) categorizes professions into nine skill levels. To qualify, your role must fall under Level 1 (Managers & Business Executives) or Level 2 (Professionals in Sciences, Engineering, Health, Education, etc.), as per MoHRE’s occupational classification scheme. 

This guarantees that your position is regarded as skilled and fits into the strategic talent framework of the government.

Before beginning your application, you should check your MoHRE job title and confirm its eligibility if you’re unsure of your present classification.

Also Read: UAE Golden Visa Fees Explained: 2025 Cost Breakdown for Indian Applicants and More

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Beyond the salary and job classification, several other key conditions must be met to qualify for the Golden Visa in Dubai in 2025. Here’s what you need to have in place:

1. Valid Employment Contract and Labor Permit: You must have a current work contract with a company in the United Arab Emirates and a valid labor permit granted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
2. Minimum Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree or higher is required to be eligible. This ensures that applicants possess a certain level of academic and professional expertise.
3. Professional Practice Permit: Regulated professions (e.g., doctors, engineers, and teachers) require a valid practicing license issued by UAE authorities such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, or relevant emirate-level departments. 
4. Comprehensive Health Insurance: You and your dependents must be covered by a valid UAE health insurance policy to meet residency requirements and ensure access to healthcare services.

Documentation Required

The following paperwork must be ready and submitted to apply for the UAE Golden Visa in 2025. Verify that each one is correct, current, and complies with the updated eligibility requirements:

1. Salary Certificate: Submit a salary certificate issued by your employer and a 3-month bank statement showing deposits of at least AED 30,000 monthly to verify basic income. 
2. Valid Employment Contract: Your current contract must include the role, salary, and length of service with a company based in the United Arab Emirates.
3. Labor Permit: Issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE), this verifies your legal work status in the UAE.
4. Attested Educational Certificates: You need to provide copies of your bachelor’s degree or higher that have been verified by the appropriate authorities. Foreign degrees must undergo attestation by the issuing country’s authorities, the UAE Embassy in that country, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before being submitted to the Ministry of Education (MOE) for equivalency certification.
5. Professional Classification and Practice Permit (if applicable): Required if your profession is regulated (e.g., doctors, engineers). Make sure your job is classified under the first or second professional level by MoHRE.
6. Proof of Health Insurance: Health insurance must be valid for at least one year and extendable, covering all dependents included in the visa application. 

Application Process

Applying for the Golden Visa in the UAE can be straightforward if you follow the right steps and stay organized. Here’s how to navigate the process from start to finish:

Step 1: Gather All Required Documents

Start by collecting the necessary paperwork, including:

• Salary certificate (AED 30,000+ basic salary)
• Valid employment contract
• Labour permit
• Attested educational degree
• Professional license (if applicable)
• Health insurance documents

Step 2: Educational Certificate Recognition (If Applicable)

If your degree is from outside the UAE:

• Apply for degree equivalency via the UAE Ministry of Education portal
• This process typically takes up to 30 days
• Once equivalency is issued, allow 7–10 days for the final MOE. 

Step 3: Submit Your Golden Visa Application

Applications are processed through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) for federal-level submissions. 

Dubai residents may also apply via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)

Step 4: Follow Up and Monitor Application Status

The following submission:

• Updates will be sent to you via email or SMS.
• Additionally, you can use the ICP or GDRFA portals to check the status of your application online.

Also Read: Tax Implications of Owning Real Estate in Dubai as a Golden Visa Holder in 2025

Implications of the New Rules

The updated 2025 salary requirement for the UAE Golden Visa significantly changes the landscape for salaried professionals. Here’s what it means for you:

• Higher Barrier to Entry for Salaried Applicants: Many professionals who previously exceeded the AED 30,000 criteria through total remuneration (including housing or transportation allowances) may suddenly fall short due to the shift to basic salary only. This raises the eligibility threshold, particularly for mid-level positions where the base salary usually is smaller.
• Narrower Pool of Eligible Professionals: The pool of qualified applicants is increasingly limited because allowances are no longer taken into account. Professionals now have to rely only on their basic pay to be eligible, even in highly competitive industries like IT, education, and healthcare.
• Importance of Reviewing Your Compensation Structure: Examine your work contract and learn about the structure of your income before applying. You might wish to talk to your employer about a possible reorganization if your base pay is less than AED 30,000 but your overall package is more than that.

Final Note

The 2025 updates to the UAE Golden Visa program reflect a more selective approach, with a clear emphasis on attracting top-tier professionals who meet strict basic salary and qualification standards. 

The government has raised the eligibility bar by changing the salary requirement from gross to basic pay only. As a result, it is crucial that you carefully review your compensation package, professional classification, and supporting documentation before applying.

The long-term advantages of 10-year residence, work flexibility, and family stability are still significant, even though the process may be more competitive currently. If you meet the updated criteria, the Dubai Golden Visa offers an exceptional opportunity to build your future in one of the world’s most dynamic and secure environments.

Book your free consultation call today with the experts of JSB Incorporation to learn more.