Everything You Need to Know About UAE’s Golden Visa

The UAE's Golden Visa, introduced in 2019, is a long-term residence visa that enables foreigners to live, work, or study in the Gulf country without a sponsor.

In this comprehensive guide, we give you the lowdown on who qualifies for a Golden Visa and how to secure one. 

Key Benefits of the UAE's Golden Visa

Entry Visa: Golden Visa holders receive an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to facilitate residence issuance.

Long-term Residence: The Golden Visa is valid for five or ten years and is renewable.

Extended Stay: Golden Visa holders can stay outside the UAE for more than six months without losing their residency status.

Family Sponsorship: Golden Visa holders can sponsor their family members, including spouses and children of any age.

Domestic Helpers: An unlimited number of domestic helpers can be sponsored.

Family Security: Family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, even if the primary visa holder passes away.

Who is Eligible for a Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa caters to a broad spectrum of individuals, including:

• Real estate investors
• Public investors
• Entrepreneurs and startup owners
• Exceptional talents
• Executive directors
• Specialists in engineering and science
• Scientists
• Skilled professionals
• Students with exceptional academic excellence
• Doctors and nurses
• Inventors
• Creative individuals in culture and art
• Athletes

Golden Visa Requirements

Real Estate Investors

Property owners with property or properties valued at a minimum of AED 2 million ($544,514) may be eligible for a renewable five-year Golden Visa. Investors can also purchase properties with a loan from designated local banks.

To obtain the visa, property owners should submit a letter from the land department of the relevant emirate confirming ownership

Public Investors

Investors in investment funds may be eligible for a ten-year Golden Visa.

Visa-seekers should submit a letter from an accredited UAE investment fund confirming a deposit of AED 2 million ($544,514), or a valid commercial or industrial license and a memorandum of association indicating capital of at least AED 2 million ($544,514).

Public investors must submit a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating an annual government payment of no less than AED 250,000 ($68,064).

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs may qualify for a five-year Golden Visa if they own an economic project of a technical or future-oriented nature based on risk and innovation. Entrepreneurs must obtain approval letters from a UAE auditor confirming that the project is valued at no less than AED 500,000 ($136,129). Authorities in the emirate should also verify that the project is of a technical or future-oriented nature.

Entrepreneurs must provide a letter from an accredited business incubator in the UAE endorsing the establishment of the proposed activity in the country.

Other visa-seekers may secure a ten-year Golden Visa by fulfilling the criteria outlined below for each category:

Doctors

Doctors must have an approval letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE to practice medicine.

Scientists

Scientists must obtain a letter of recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or a letter from the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence affirming that they have been awarded the Medal of Scientific Excellence.

Inventors

Inventors must obtain a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy affirming that their contribution to the country's economic value.

Creative Individuals in Culture and Arts

Creative individuals in the culture and arts must obtain an approval letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the relevant emirate.

For Creative Talented Accreditation (Cultural Visa) in Dubai

Applicants in this category need to submit a letter of approval from the Department of Culture and Arts in the relevant emirate.

Executive Directors

Executive directors wishing to secure a Golden Visa need to provide a copy of a Ministry of Education-accredited university degree, equivalent to at least a bachelor's degree, as well as a letter of experience demonstrating at least five years in the same executive position.

They also need to provide a document reflecting a minimum salary of AED 50,000 ($13,613) and submit a valid work contract.

Athletes

Athletes should obtain a recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils.

Specialists in Engineering and Science

Engineering specialists and scientists must submit a copy of a Ministry of Education-certified Bachelor’s or Master’s degree along with a valid work contract.

Subjects relating to engineering and science include:

• epidemiology and viruses
• artificial intelligence
• big data
• computer engineering
• electronic engineering
• software engineering
• electrical engineering
• genetics and biotechnology engineering.

Outstanding Students

High School Students: Top-ranking high school students with a minimum grade of 95% are eligible for a five-year Golden Visa. To qualify, students need to provide a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment).

University Students: University students from A- or B-class universities rated by the Ministry of Education may provide a recommendation letter from the university or an accredited graduation certificate stating a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 for A-class universities and 3.8 for B-class universities. Graduation must be within two years.

Outstanding Students from Foreign Universities: Outstanding students from foreign universities ranked among the top 100 globally, according to the Ministry of Education's recognized rating system, may be eligible for a Golden Visa. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Graduation must be within two years and the certificate accredited by the Ministry of Education.

Pioneers of Humanitarian Work

Pioneers of humanitarian work can obtain a 10-year Golden Visa.

Eligible candidates include employees of international and regional organizations with at least five years of service; employees of civil associations and public-interest institutions with at least five years of service; individuals receiving recognition from local, regional, or international humanitarian organizations; humanitarian funders contributing at least AED 2 million ($544,514).

Frontline Heroes

Frontline heroes during crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, may receive a Golden Visa with a recommendation from the competent authority. This includes nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and others approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.

Where to Apply

To apply for the UAE's Golden Visa, candidates should submit the necessary documents via the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security’s (ICP) website or app or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website or app.

In May 2024, the UAE cabinet approved the issuance of a 10-year Blue Residence Visa, designed to recognize and honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to environmental protection.

The Blue Visa will be extended to those who have exhibited outstanding commitment and impact across various environmental domains, including marine life, land-based ecosystems, air quality, sustainability technologies, the circular economy, and more.

Eligible individuals can apply for the Blue Visa through the ICP. Relevant authorities may also nominate them for consideration. The Blue Visa offers recipients long-term residency in the UAE, opportunities for collaboration on environmental projects, access to funding and resources, and acknowledgment for their contributions to environmental protection.