UAE's Golden Visa | Benefits, Eligibility, Requirements & More

The UAE's Golden visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreigners to live, work or study in the Gulf country without the need for a national sponsor and with 100 percent ownership of their business on the UAE's mainland. The UAE implemented the system for the Golden visa back in 2019.  

What are the exclusive benefits of the UAE's Golden visa?

The UAE's Golden visa offers its holders:

• an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance
• a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years
• the ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months in order to keep their residence visa valid
• the ability to sponsor their family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages
• the ability to sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers
• the permit for family members to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, even if the primary holder of the Golden visa passes away

What are the eligible categories of the UAE Golden visa?

The eligible categories of the UAE Golden Visa includes 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 people in the fields of culture and art, athletes, and more.

What are the Golden visa requirements? 

Requirements for the Golden visa depend on the type of residence.

Investors in public investments

If you invest in an investment fund, you may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to the:

• submission of a letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that the investor has a deposit of AED 2 million, or
• submission of a valid commercial licence or industrial licence and a memorandum of association stating that the investor’s capital is not less than AED 2 million, and
• submission of a letter from Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the government no less than AED 250,000 annually

Real estate investors

Real estate investors may obtain the Golden visa for a period of five years, renewable on the same conditions if they fulfil one of the following conditions: 

• purchase a property worth no less than AED 2 million, 
• purchase a property with a loan from specified local banks, or
• purchase one or more completed or off-plan properties of no less than AED 2 million from a list of approved local real estate companies 

Entrepreneurs

If you are an entrepreneur, you may get a Golden visa for a period of five years, if you own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk & innovation.

And you must have an approval letter from each of the following:

1. an auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than 500,000 dirhams
2. the authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature
3. an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.

Doctors 
Doctors may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to:

• an approval Letter from Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE to practice the profession of medicine

Scientists

Scientists may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to:

• a letter of recommendation from Emirates Council of Scientists or a letter from Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence stating that the applicant has been awarded the Medal of Scientific Excellence.

Inventors

Inventors may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to:

• a recommendation letter from Ministry of Economy stating that your patent has an added value to the country's economy

Creative people in the fields of culture and art

Creative people in the fields of culture and art may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to:

• an approval letter from the department of culture and arts in the respective emirate.

Executive Directors

Executive Directors may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to:

• a copy of a university degree accredited by Ministry of Education with educational attainment not less than a bachelor's degree
• a letter of experience of no less than 5 years holding the same position
• a salary certificate with a salary of AED 50,000 at least
• a valid work contract

Athletes

Athletes may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to:

• a recommendation letter from General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils

How to apply for the UAE's Golden visa?

Apply through the ICP website or the ICP app or through the GDRFA website or the GDRFA app. The two apps are available on Google Play and App Store. 

The process is quite straightforward, with candidates required to submit the necessary documents and be willing to relocate to the UAE in accordance with their business venture.