UAE Golden Visa: All you need to know about eligibility, rules, application, and more

As the UAE has successfully established itself as the financial hub for the Middle East and Central Asia, discover and learn how the Golden Visa is a gateway to a vibrant life in the Emirates. Read this essential resource for navigating the opportunities and requirements of the UAE Golden Visa programme.

UAE Golden Visa: What are the rules, eligibility, and process to stay, work and live in the Emirates? (Source: Freepik)

Dubai has emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for expats considering moving abroad, surpassing renowned cities such as New York, Miami, and Paris.

The strategic and geographical location, robust infrastructure, political stability, and business- and tax-friendly environment have contributed to the UAE establishing itself as the financial hub for the Middle East and Central Asia.

Top talent, academicians, or businesses often look for countries that offer work visas, citizenship, and direct real estate investment opportunities with less lock-in money.

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Recognising this, the Government of the UAE led a paradigm shift in its visa policies to transition from temporary expatriate labour to attracting and anchoring global talent and investors through the launch of the Golden Visa in 2019.

UAE’s Golden Visa paves the way for wealthy and talented individuals to stay, work, and live in any of the seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain.

Providing long-term visas for 5 to 10 years (automatically renewed) enables them to contribute significantly to the UAE’s diversification strategy, reduce reliance on oil, boost sectors like technology, education, and health, and fortify its position as a global business and talent hub.

As the UAE commits to becoming a leading destination for skilled individuals globally, read this article to discover more about the UAE’s Golden Visa.

What is the UAE’s Golden Visa?

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To attract talented and wealthy individuals, the UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign talent to live, work, or study in the UAE, including investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes, while enjoying exclusive benefits.

It also allows investors to invest in public investments for the issuance of a ten-year self-sponsored residency permit without the need for a sponsor or host residing in the country.

What benefits does the UAE’s Golden Visa offer?

Holders of the UAE Golden Visa enjoy several benefits, such as the ability to live, work, and study in the UAE without a sponsor, travel in and out of the country with ease, and sponsor immediate family members.

The visa also offers professional freedom, allowing holders to choose their employer, have full business ownership, and more.

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Six-month entry visa with multiple entries, leading to residency issuance.
Renewable 5 or 10-year long-term residence visa.
No requirement for a local sponsor.
Ability to stay outside the UAE for over six months without losing residency status.
Option to sponsor family members, including spouses and children.
Freedom to sponsor any number of domestic workers.
Provision for family members to remain in the UAE under the visa.

What are the eligibility and requirements for the UAE’s Golden Visa?

Doctors and Scientists: Need approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE and a letter of recommendation from relevant scientific councils.
Inventors: Must have a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy validating that the patent adds value to the UAE’s economy.
Creative People in Culture and Arts: Require an approval letter from the UAE’s Department of Culture and Arts.
Executive Directors: They should have a relevant university degree, at least five years of experience in the same position, and a minimum salary of AED 50,000.
Athletes: Require a recommendation from the UAE General Sports Authority or sports councils.
Specialists in Engineering and Science: Must have a relevant degree and work contract.
Outstanding Students: High school students with top grades and university students with a high GPA from recognised institutions are eligible.
Public Investment Investors: Investors either have to deposit AED two million in an accredited UAE investment fund, own a business with at least AED two million in capital, or pay at least AED 250,000 annually in government taxes. Additionally, they must fully own invested capital (not loaned) and have medical insurance for themselves and their family.
Real Estate Investors: Must own property in the UAE worth at least 2 million dirhams or purchase property using a loan from approved local banks. This visa does not require a sponsor.
Entrepreneurs: Own a technical or innovative economic project worth at least 500,000 dirhams, with endorsements from a UAE auditor, relevant emirate authorities, and an accredited UAE business incubator.

How do I apply for the UAE’s Golden Visa?

The application process involves registering and logging in on the official portal via the ‘One-touch’ Golden Visa service, designed to simplify the application and the renewal process for a Golden Residence visa.

One can visit and apply through the ICP website or the ICP app available on Google Play and the App Store.

UAEICP Website:

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https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/aboutGoldenResidency

UAEICP Apps:

Google Playstore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.echannels.moismartservices

iOS App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uaeicp/id1374301965

For more details and information, one can contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security call centre, available 24/7 at 600522222.