UAE Golden Visa Guide
What is a UAE Golden Visa?
Introduced in 2019, the UAE Golden Visa is a unique long-term residency visa intended to draw and keep international experts, investors, and talent who can support the nation’s economic growth.
The Dubai Golden Visa allows some foreigners to live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a job sponsor, unlike regular UAE visas, which are typically linked to employment.
This long-term visa, which comes in five and ten-year renewable options, offers holders and their families a degree of security and stability that is uncommon for other visa categories in the area.
The UAE Golden Visa’s launch aligns with the government’s goal of creating an economic boom powered by international investors and highly qualified workers.
Residents benefit from longer stays, greater freedom to launch and run businesses, and the chance to settle down in one of the vibrant cities of the United Arab Emirates with this visa.
Advantages of UAE Golden Visa
Golden Visa holders enjoy several benefits that make this visa option appealing to a diverse group of people:
- Extended residency period: This visa offers long-term residency, which is uncommon among visas in the area, and can be renewed for either five or ten years.
- Self-sponsorship: With the Dubai Golden Visa, anyone can sponsor their own home; therefore, they don’t require a local sponsor in order to live in the United Arab Emirates. This allows people around the globe a great deal of independence and autonomy.
- Family benefits: Golden Visa holders are allowed to sponsor spouses, kids, and other immediate family members. If the primary visa holder passes away within the visa duration, family members may also stay in the United Arab Emirates.
- Multiple entries: While their visa is being processed, applicants are granted a six-month multiple-entry permission, enabling them to finish the requirements without disruptions.
- Investment advantages: Without requiring further sponsorship, visa holders are able to invest in real estate, launch businesses, and purchase stock in UAE businesses.
- Tax exemptions: The UAE is a popular destination for high-net-worth individuals and investors who want to keep more of their revenues because it does not impose an income tax on its citizens.
- Economic security: Residents with long-term visas are free to explore investment, educational, and professional possibilities without worrying about unexpected cancellations or having to renew their visas frequently.
Limitations of Golden Visa Services in UAE
The Golden Visa has some limitations, even though it has some attractive advantages:
- Significant financial requirements: For real estate investors, meeting the eligibility requirements for the Golden Visa frequently requires significant expenses, such as a minimum property investment of AED 2 million.
- No path to citizenship: The UAE has a strict naturalization procedure; therefore, even while the Dubai Golden Visa allows for permanent stay, it does not result in citizenship.
- Complex application process: Extensive documentation and verification are necessary for the application, which can take time and possibly incur additional costs.
- High fees: Compared to other UAE visas, the associated fees for this elite visa may be greater. Even though this visa has several advantages, the expenses associated with getting and keeping it may make it unaffordable for some individuals.
Who can apply for a UAE Golden Visa?
Some groups are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa, each with its own set of requirements. The following lists the main eligibility criteria along with what each comprises:
- Business owners and entrepreneurs want to do a business setup in Dubai, UAE
- Investors
- Investors in public investment funds
- Real estate investors
- Outstanding specialized talents
- Doctors and scientists
- Inventors
- Creative people in culture and art
- CEOs or managing directors
- Athletes
- Specialists in engineering and science
- Outstanding students and graduates
- High school students
- University students
- Outstanding students of foreign universities
- Developers of games and creators of digital content
- Pioneers of humanitarian work
- Frontline heroes
UAE Golden Visa requirements
The requirements for a Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates differ according to the type of resident, including entrepreneurs, investors, and talent. These are the particular requirements for every category.
Business owners and entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs who meet the following requirements and have a technological or innovative economic initiative can be granted a Golden Visa in the UAE for five years:
- Having a letter of approval from a UAE auditor attesting to the project’s worth of at least AED 500,000.
- Obtaining authorization from the relevant emirate’s authorities attesting to the technical or innovative nature of the project.
- Obtaining authorization from a UAE-approved business incubator to launch the intended venture there.
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Investors
Public investment fund investors
If they fulfill one of the following requirements, investors who place their money in an investment fund may be eligible for a 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor:
- Submit a letter attesting to an AED 2 million contribution from an investment fund accredited by the UAE.
- Provide a memorandum of association defining a minimum capital commitment of AED two million together with a valid commercial or industrial license.
- Provide a letter from the Federal Tax Authority attesting to a minimum of AED 250,000 paid to the government each year.
Note that the Emirate of Dubai should issue the license. The applicable free zone must provide a “To Whom It May Concern Certificate” if a free zone or special development zone grants it.
Investors must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Full ownership of the money invested (not a loan).
- Proof that they and their family members are covered by health insurance.
Real estate investors
If they fulfill the following qualifications, people who own one or more properties can get a Golden Visa for ten years, renewed under the same terms and without a sponsor:
- Send in a letter attesting to the ownership of properties worth at least AED 2 million (545,000 USD) from the relevant emirate’s land department.
- Regardless of the down payment size, a real estate investor can begin taking out a mortgage from certain local banks that have been approved by the appropriate local organization in 2024.
Previously, in order to be eligible for the Golden Visa, one had to pay half of the required property value, which was AED 1 million. Now that this requirement has been removed, real estate investors can now more easily obtain a prestigious visa.
Outstanding specialized talents
Professionals including physicians, scientists, artists, culturally creative people, innovators, CEOs, scientists, athletes, engineers, and scientists have all been classified as having exceptional specialized talents.
The list of subcategories along with their particular requirements is provided here.
Doctors and scientists
Physicians must fulfill these requirements:
- Having a letter of authorization to practice medicine from the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention.
- Providing documentation of base pay for the same occupation of at least 30,000 AED. It may be a work contract from a mainland LLC business or, in the case of a free zone, a salary certificate.
To confirm the granting of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence, scientists require a recommendation letter from the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence Secretariat or the Emirates Council of Scientists.
Inventors
A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy declaring that the patent adds value to the nation’s economy is required of inventors.
Creative people in culture and art
The Department of Culture and Arts of the relevant emirate should provide a letter of approval to creative people in the arts and culture fields.
CEOs or managing directors want to do a company formation in Dubai, UAE
One of the following must be your occupation: manager, executive director, and board of directors president. Applicants in these categories are required to submit:
- A duplicate of a university degree that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, with a bachelor’s degree as the minimum level of education.
- It is necessary to have a letter of experience from at least five years in the same employment.
- A labor contract for the same amount in the event of an LLC company or an income certificate specifying a minimum salary of AED 30,000.
- A legitimate employment agreement.
- A letter from his employer stating that he has no objections.
Athletes
A letter of reference from the General Sports Authority or a sports council is required for athletes.
Specialists in Engineering and Science
The requirements that follow must be met for this category:
- Specialists are required to provide an employment contract and a copy of a bachelor’s or master’s degree that has been approved by the Ministry of Education.
- According to the labor contract (LLC firm) or the salary certificate (free zone), the base pay must be at least AED 30,000.
- The business he works for must provide a letter of no objection.
Outstanding students and graduates
- High school students : Students in high school who fulfill the following requirements can get a Golden Visa in the UAE for five years without a sponsor:
- Achieving excellence at the national level (at least a 95 percent grade in secondary school, whether private or public).
- Obtaining a letter of reference from the Emirates Schools Establishment, a division of the Ministry of Education.
Students who are enrolled in majors or universities that need a study time longer than five years may be eligible to extend the Golden Visa’s term.
- University students : If they fulfill the following requirements, outstanding university students can get a 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor:
- The Ministry of Education must give the university an A or B class rating.
- Submit an academic record, an accredited graduation certificate, or a letter of reference from the university confirming a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 for A-class universities and 3.8 for B-class universities.
- It must not exceed two years since graduation.
Outstanding students of foreign universities
If they fulfill the following requirements, exceptional graduates of international universities can get a 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor:
- A grading system approved by the Ministry of Education must place the university in the top 100 worldwide.
- Keep your cumulative GPA at or above 3.5.
- It can’t be more than two years since graduation.
- A Ministry of Education certification is required for the graduation certificate.
Digital content creators and game developers
The Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 was started by the Dubai Government in an effort to draw in skilled and professional gamers as well as manufacturers of video games and digital products.
Modern infrastructure, networking and collaboration possibilities, training courses, and specialized events are all offered to gaming industry entrepreneurs and startups so they can expand.
Program participants are eligible to apply for a Dubai Golden Visa for a period of 10 years.
To receive this visa in the gaming business, you must meet the following requirements:
- 25 years of age or older
- Documents attesting to credentials and expertise in the gaming sector
- When establishing a business, a thorough business strategy and evidence of share capital are essential.
Dubai’s free zones where gaming businesses can register and get Golden Visas:
- DMCC
- Dubai Internet City
- Meydan
- Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Center
Pioneers of humanitarian work
A 10-year Golden Visa is available to humanitarian pioneers who fit into one of the following categories:
- Members and exceptional workers have at least five years of experience in regional and global organizations.
- Members and exceptional workers with at least five years of experience in civil groups and public interest organizations.
- People who have been recognized by a local, regional, or global humanitarian organization with an appreciation award.
- Funders to humanitarian efforts, as long as the assistance is worth at least two million UAE dirhams or more.
Frontline heroes
With nominations from a qualified authority, frontline heroes who have shown extraordinary efforts during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 epidemic, may be eligible for the Golden Visa in UAE. Heroes on the front lines include:
- Nurses
- Medical assistants
- Lab technicians
- Pharmacologists
- Other approved cadres by the Frontline Heroes Office.
Basic UAE Golden Visa requirements
To be eligible for a Golden Visa UAE, a few prerequisites must be met. These consist of:
- Valid passport: To apply, you must have a passport that is currently valid and has at least six months left on it.
- Clean criminal record: To be eligible for this visa, applicants must have a clean criminal record free of charges.
- Residency status: A valid residency visa is a requirement for eligibility for individuals who are currently residing in the United Arab Emirates.
- Health insurance: In order to guarantee that visa holders have access to the medical treatment they require, health insurance coverage is crucial in the UAE.
Application process for UAE Golden Visa
Step 1: Choose your category
Choose the appropriate visa category, such as frontline heroes, investors, real estate investors, entrepreneurs, students, specialized skills, or humanitarian pioneers.
Step 2: Gather the required documents
Gather all the paperwork required by the UAE government for your selected category, such as academic records, recommendation letters, documentation related to investments or real estate, or evidence of achievements.
Step 3: Visit an Amer office
To begin the application process, bring your prepared paperwork to an Amer office, a designated government service center.
Step 4: Pay the fees
Send in the necessary fees for the Golden Visa application.
Step 5: Await the approval
Depending on your selected category and other variables, the approval procedure may take anywhere from 72 hours to 30 days.
Step 6: Cancel your current visa
Before submitting an application for a Golden Visa service in the UAE, complete the steps to cancel any current residence visas you may have.
Step 7: Submit the application
Provide the required information, including passport data and any other information requested, and submit your visa application.
Step 8: Receive your Golden Visa
You will receive the required residency status as soon as the visa is authorized and issued electronically.
Consider seeking the advice and assistance of qualified experts in this area if you want the application and obtaining of your Golden Visa to be as simple and fast as possible.
Costs and fees of Golden Visa UAE
The cost of the Golden Visa in Dubai varies according to the applicant’s category and length of stay. The prices and service charges for its ten-year edition are broken down as follows:
- Emirates ID (10-year validity): AED 1,043
The UAE government issues the Emirates ID, a mandatory identity card, to all citizens. This amount includes all processing and issuance fees for the ID card with a 10-year validity.
- Medical examination: AED 700
This cost covers a required medical examination that checks for communicable diseases and evaluates your overall health. This health evaluation is necessary to verify eligibility for residency or work in the United Arab Emirates.
- New visa application (10-year validity): AED 2,785.75
The Golden Visa application process in Dubai, which grants 10-year resident status, is subject to this charge. It covers visa stamping, application processing, and other associated administrative costs.
- Dubai Land Department fees (for property investors): AED 4,020
The Dubai Land Department receives this required charge from real estate investors in order to pay for official documents and property registration, among other administrative costs related to real estate transactions.
- Administrative fees: AED 1,100
Any additional administrative expenses not covered by other particular fees are included in this sum. It includes processing fees, document checks, and other additional costs that can come up while applying for a Golden Visa in Dubai.
Total costs: AED 9,648.75
For Golden Visa holders, this sum guarantees full compliance with UAE residency regulations.
The cost of a fresh medical examination, the renewal of an Emirates ID, and additional processing fees are among the costs that holders of this elite visa may have to pay while renewing their visa. Additionally, the price of UAE health insurance, which has a minimum basic coverage of 800 AED, must be taken into account.
You will need to cancel your current visa once your Golden Visa is accepted. Depending on the authority, the average cancellation cost is 500 AED.
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FAQs
A 10-year Golden Visa (investor) costs AED 9,648.75 in total. The new visa, Emirates ID, medical examination, DLD costs, and administrative fees are all included.
Yes, Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children, and, in some cases, parents, depending on the applicant's profile and the specific rules of the issuing emirate.
Yes, the Golden Visa can be renewed upon meeting certain conditions. The duration of the visa is typically 5 or 10 years, depending on the applicant's category.
Yes, Golden Visa holders are allowed to work in the UAE without the need for an employer-sponsored work permit, as the visa grants them residency rights.
Yes, investors can obtain a Golden Visa by purchasing property in the UAE, provided it meets the required investment criteria. The property can be residential, commercial, or industrial.
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