Unlock Your Future: A Comprehensive Look at the UAE Golden Visa

Golden Visa UAE
Who Can Apply
FAQs

The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency and work permits to a diverse range of foreign individuals, including businessmen, investors, professionals, athletes, students, and humanitarian pioneers. Eligible applicants can secure a 5-year or 10-year visa. Below is essential information regarding the UAE Golden Visa.

GOLDEN VISA UAE

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program designed for individuals in specific fields and with exceptional talents who wish to build their lives and careers in the UAE. Holders of this visa enjoy a range of exclusive benefits:

Extended Entry: You get a six-month entry visa with multiple entries, making it easy to finalize your residency.
Renewable Residency: The visa itself is renewable for periods of 5 or 10 years, offering long-term stability.
Self-Sponsored: No need for an employment sponsor; this visa is self-sponsored.
Flexible Living: There are no restrictions on living outside the UAE during your visa period.
Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor your family members, including your spouse and children.
Domestic Helper Sponsorship: The visa also allows you to sponsor domestic helpers.
Family Security: In the unfortunate event of the primary visa holder’s death, family members can remain in the UAE until the end of their permit.
Esaad Card Benefits: Golden Visa holders in Dubai (for both 5 and 10-year visas) receive a free Esaad Card, unlocking a host of exclusive discounts and privileges.

UAE Golden Visa: Eligibility Requirements

The UAE Golden Visa is available to individuals across a range of categories, recognizing various contributions and achievements. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility criteria:

Category	Basic Criteria
Investors	Invest AED 2 million.
Entrepreneurs	Own a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) that generates at least AED 500,000.
Exceptional Talent	Requires a recommendation from federal or local government authorities.
Scientists	Needs a recommendation letter from the Emirates Council of Scientists.
Professionals	Must hold a first or second occupational level classification according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Outstanding Students	Demonstrated high performance in top-ranked schools or universities.
Humanitarian Workers	Must be award holders in humanitarian fields.
Frontline Workers	Recognized for outstanding work during crises.
Religious Researchers & Preachers	Requires 20 years of service in the UAE.
Creative Artists	Needs a certificate of appreciation or nomination from a prestigious international or regional authority.
Nurses	Nursing staff employed by Dubai Health with over 15 years of service.

Real Estate Investment

If you’re a real estate investor, you can qualify for the Golden Visa by meeting one of the following criteria:

Purchasing a property for a minimum of AED 2 million.
Acquiring a property through a loan from specific UAE banks.
Buying one or more off-plan properties worth a minimum of AED 2 million from an approved real estate developer.

It’s worth noting that the previous requirement for a down payment of AED 1 million on mortgaged or installment properties has been revised, making it even more accessible for investors. The UAE’s foreign ownership rules have become increasingly investor-friendly, so if you’re considering buying properties in Dubai, you might also want to look into the UAE property investor visa.

Public Investment

Beyond real estate, individuals making a public investment can also apply for the Golden Visa. To be considered, you must meet one of these conditions:

Have a clear plan to establish a business in the UAE.
Possess a letter from a UAE-approved investment fund confirming an AED 2 million deposit, or a valid commercial/industrial license with a company incorporation contract showing your capital is no less than AED 2 million.
Invest in a new or existing company as a partner with shares of a minimum of AED 2 million (this investment cannot be financed by a loan).
Provide a letter from the Federal Tax Authority confirming you are the owner of a company that pays the government no less than AED 250,000 per year in taxes.

These options provide flexibility for various types of investors to secure their long-term residency in the UAE.

Golden Visa Eligibility for Entrepreneurs in the UAE

The UAE Golden Visa welcomes entrepreneurs who are poised to contribute to the nation’s innovative landscape. To be eligible under the entrepreneur category, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

SME Ownership: Be a partner or the sole owner of a start-up registered as a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) with a valuation of at least AED 500,000.
Startup Idea Approval: Secure approval for your start-up idea from either the Ministry of Economy, a competent local authority, or an official business incubator.
Innovative Project Confirmation: Obtain an approval letter from the relevant emirate authorities confirming that the proposed project is of a technical or futuristic nature, demonstrating leadership potential.
Accredited Incubator Endorsement: Provide an approval letter from an accredited business incubator within the UAE to establish your proposed activity in the country.

Golden Visa Eligibility for Exceptional Talents

The UAE Golden Visa is also available to individuals who possess exceptional talents, including innovators, inventors, and those demonstrating remarkable abilities in art, sports, culture, and digital technology.

To qualify, a recommendation from federal or local government authorities is essential. Notably, factors such as your qualification, current employment status, professional level, or salary are not taken into account for this category. This pathway focuses purely on recognizing and attracting individuals with extraordinary skills and contributions.

Scientists

Researchers and scientists can obtain a long-term visa upon the recommendation of the Emirates Scientists Council. To be eligible for the Golden Visa, you must hold a PhD or a master’s degree in technology, engineering, natural sciences, or life sciences from one of the world’s top universities. Substantial research work is also a crucial requirement.

Professionals

Highly qualified and experienced professionals are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa. This includes individuals in fields such as sciences and engineering, medicine, IT, education, law, business and administration, culture, and social sciences.

Additionally, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Possess a valid employment contract.
Be grouped in the first or second occupational level according to the Ministry of
Human Resources and Emiratisation classification.
Hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
Command a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000.

Nurses

In a special announcement on Nurses Day 2025, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced that nurses employed by Dubai Health for over 15 years are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa. This recognition also extends to long-serving midwives.

Students

High-performing students are also eligible for the Golden Visa. This includes exceptional students from UAE secondary schools and universities, as well as those from the top 100 universities worldwide.

Humanitarian Pioneers

Individuals who have made noteworthy humanitarian contributions can also qualify. Requirements for this category include:

Being an outstanding member of regional or international organizations.
Being a highly contributing member of associations of public benefit.
Holding awards in humanitarian fields.
Being volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian causes.

Frontline Workers

Frontline workers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication during crises are also considered for Golden Visas. For example, medical professionals who significantly contributed during the COVID-19 pandemic may be awarded a Golden Visa.

Imams and Religious Researchers

Religious researchers, preachers, muezzins, and imams who have served in Dubai for 20 years are also eligible for the Golden Visa. They will also receive financial recognition in appreciation of their services in promoting tolerance, safeguarding public morals, and fostering religious values.

Creatives from Culture and Art

If you have excelled in creative fields, you can also apply for a Dubai Golden Visa. To meet the Golden Visa requirements for creative artists, an applicant must satisfy a minimum of these criteria:

Possess a certificate of appreciation or nomination from a prestigious international or regional authority.
Be an active member of a prestigious international art association or organization.
Have received attention from media, industry professionals, and critics for your artistic creations.
Have had your works shown in prestigious forums locally, regionally, or internationally (e.g., exhibitions, forums, festivals, events).
Hold an honorary position in a prestigious international authority due to your outstanding creativity.

How the Golden Visa Could Reshape UAE Dynamics

The introduction of the 5 and 10-year Golden Visa has the potential to significantly alter the perception of the UAE from a short-term expat destination to a long-term home. This enhanced sense of stability may encourage a greater interest in learning the local language and fostering deeper assimilation into UAE culture among expatriate residents.

A Transformative Era for the UAE and Beyond

The introduction of the Golden Visa has the potential to mark a pivotal shift in global perceptions of the UAE. By offering a greater sense of permanency for foreign residents, this initiative could significantly increase assimilation into the local culture, fostering deeper ties between expatriates and the nation.

Depending on the success and economic contributions generated by these new rules, we may well see other countries follow suit, adopting similar long-term residency programs to attract and retain global talent. Looking back, these new UAE visa rules could indeed be recognized as a transformative moment in the country’s history, fundamentally reshaping its demographic landscape and international standing.

Golden Visa Expected to Drive UAE Property Ownership

The introduction of the UAE’s long-term Golden Visa is set to significantly impact the real estate market. While not applicable to everyone, it will undoubtedly foster a greater sense of permanence for many expatriates in their adopted country. This newfound stability will provide even stronger incentives to own property in the UAE rather than continuing to rent.

Our real estate experts concur, anticipating a notable shift in investor behavior. This sentiment extends beyond residential properties to the commercial real estate sector. We anticipate a growing trend of business owners purchasing offices and other commercial premises in the UAE, moving away from renting, as they now envision a longer-term future in the country, thanks to the new visa regulations.

FAQS ABOUT UAE GOLDEN VISA

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the UAE Golden Visa, covering application costs, how to apply, and how to check your visa status.

What are the UAE Golden Visa Application Charges?

The estimated costs for a UAE Golden Visa application (10-year visa) are as follows:

Medical Examination: AED 700
Emirates ID (10 years): AED 1,153
Confirmation of Residency Permit (10 years): AED 2,656.75
Dubai Land Department Fees: AED 4,020 (if applicable for real estate investors)
Administrative Fees: AED 1,155
Total Estimated Cost (excluding property investment-related fees): Approximately AED 9,684.75

Please note that these fees are estimates and can vary slightly. Additional fees may apply depending on your specific circumstances and if you use a service center for assistance.

How Can One Apply for a Golden Visa in the UAE?

The application process for the Golden Visa largely depends on your specific category.

General Application: Many categories, including Specialists in Engineering and Science, Investors, and certain Creative Specialists in Culture and Art, can apply for the Golden Visa via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai or through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) Smart Services portal for other emirates.
Creative Category Specifics: Applicants in the Creative category must also obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

It’s advisable to check the official websites of GDRFA (for Dubai applications) or ICP (for all other emirates) for the most up-to-date application procedures and required documents specific to your category.

How Can I Check My UAE Visa Status?

You can easily check your UAE visa status through official online portals:

For Dubai visas, visit the GDRFA website.
For visas issued by other emirates, use the ICA Smart Services portal (now part of the ICP).

Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Residents Office website offers an eligibility tool that can help you determine your initial eligibility for the Golden Visa.

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This Blog is provided solely for educational reasons, including broad information and a general comprehension of its content, including related laws and regulations, and is not intended to give particular legal advice. The Blog is not intended to replace competent advice from a registered expert.

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