UAE Golden Visa Benefits, Process, and Eligibility
The UAE Golden Visa is one of the most beneficial and powerful tools issued by the UAE government, providing numerous advantages to foreign citizens. It has been regarded as a benchmark for flexible long-term residency mechanisms. Ever since its launch, it has catapulted itself into the lives of countless foreign hopefuls who have dreamt of residing in this modernistic country long-term.
In this space, we are here to provide you with all the information you need about the UAE Golden Visa – what it is, who is eligible for it, how you can apply for it, what documents you need for it, and how you can benefit from it, among others. With a comprehensive understanding of this highly rewarding mechanism, we believe you can make your stay in the UAE longer, safer, and more seamless.
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is essentially a long-term residence permit granted to foreign citizens that enables them to live, study, and work in the UAE. The holders of this visa can even sponsor their spouses, parents, children, and other allied dependent family members.
This special scheme has been introduced by the Government of the UAE to foster a better relationship with foreign nations and to attract talented geniuses, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, specialised scientists, humanitarian workers, and outstanding students from foreign lands to the UAE.
It has been hailed as a ground-breaking positive measure to introduce interested foreign nationals to the wholesome business opportunities, world-class amenities, and modern quality of life of the UAE.
As per the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), the validity of the Golden Visa is not for a lifetime, and you need to renew it from time to time to enjoy its privileges. Speaking of the privileges, it brings us to our next section.
Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa
The popularity of the UAE Golden Visa stems from the numerous advantages it provides to its holders. Among the many benefits of the UAE Golden Visa, the most prominent ones are as follows.
Long-term Residency
The biggest benefit of the Golden Visa is undoubtedly the long-term residency it provides to its holders. As it can be extended for a duration of 5-10 years, it gives you the chance to focus on your professional or academic endeavours without having to constantly worry about renewing your visa.
Entrepreneurs are empowered to dedicate their attention to growing their business ideas, and after the completion of the long tenure, there is always the opportunity to renew it again for another long-term period.
No Sponsor Required
Since the UAE Golden Visa doesn’t require a local sponsor, it distinctly separates itself from other types of visas in the country. Due to this feature, investors and entrepreneurs get full autonomy over their business operations without having to rely on a local partnership.
It makes launching, establishing, and managing businesses even simpler and enhances their operational capabilities.
Family Inclusion
If you want to sponsor your family members and bring them to the UAE, including your spouses, parents, children, siblings, and other allied dependents, the UAE Golden Visa is the most dependable and powerful tool.
With its help, your family can reside with you in the UAE. This helps in reinforcing family bonds and creates a profound sense of security and belonging.
Widespread Employment Opportunities
The unparalleled access to employment opportunities in the UAE is one of the many reasons why people want to settle in the UAE. With the help of the UAE Golden Visa, you get to explore the world-class infrastructure and amenities along with the modern lifestyle in the urban ecosystems of the nation.
The strategic location of the country makes it the perfect business hub in the Middle East, which results in numerous business opportunities in diverse fields.
Exemption from Employment Restrictions
The UAE Golden Visa allows the holder to get an exemption from various employment restrictions. With its help, they can enjoy flexibility in the job market.
Furthermore, it allows holders to pursue multiple job opportunities at the same time and to easily change employers. This helps them in seeking professional advancements in their career.
Property Ownership Rights
The UAE Golden Visa streamlines the property ownership process for foreigners in the nation. Holders of the visa can buy and manage properties in prime locations. Since the nation is a tourism as well as a business hub, investing in real estate is highly profitable.
The long-term visa helps in offering stability in influencing lending decisions. As such, Golden Visa holders can expand their property portfolios and leverage the real estate market.
Access to Premium Healthcare
You also enjoy access to a widespread healthcare system with the UAE Golden Visa that plays a pivotal role in achieving a high-quality life. You get modern medical facilities powered by the latest technology and assisted by top-notch professionals.
Furthermore, you are also provided with advanced treatment options in the country designed to offer you the best health and overall well-being.
Esaad Privilege Card
You get a complimentary Esaad Privilege Card with the UAE Golden Visa, which provides a wide range of discounts and allied benefits to elevate your financial and lifestyle requirements.
You get to enjoy substantial savings across several sectors such as hospitality, banking, healthcare, automotive, and real estate, among others.
Eligibility Criteria
A wide and eclectic range of professionals are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa. Here are the distinct eligibility criteria for the different professions.
Investors in Public Investments
Candidates who have made significant investments in investment funds are eligible for a 10-year Golden Visa permit without requiring a sponsor. The interested candidate must have a letter from an investment fund that states that they have a deposit of AED 2 million or must have a valid industrial or commercial license and a Memorandum of Association (MoA).
The candidate must also possess a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays at least AED 250,000 annually to the government. In addition, the candidate must own the invested capital completely (it shouldn’t be a loan) and provide evidence of medical insurance for themselves and their family (if any).
Real Estate Investors
Owners of a property or a group of properties can be granted a Golden Visa that is renewable without a sponsor, via various resident visas through property investment. Candidate must provide a letter from the land department stating that they own a property or properties worth at least AED 2 million.
For such a huge sum involved, it is recommended to invest with a reliable real estate developer to ensure a safe and transparent transaction. If they are buying the property with a mortgage option, it must be from specific banks that are approved by the local entity.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs and business owners with a successful track record who are interested in expanding their ventures in the UAE are eligible for this visa as well. If you have an economic project of a technical or future nature, then you are eligible for a 5-year visa as well.
You must provide an approval letter from an auditor in the UAE stating that the value of the project is at least AED 500,000, an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the nation, and the authorities in the emirate stating that the concerned project is of a technical or future nature.
Skilled Professionals
Candidates with expertise in healthcare, finance, technology, inventors, executives, specialists in scientific fields, doctoral degree holders, athletes, and engineering can get a Golden Visa for 10 years, as long as they fulfil the specific requirements of their designated category of expertise.
The field of engineering consists of electronic, software, computer, big data, genetics, and biotechnology engineering, along with artificial intelligence and epidemiology.
Outstanding Students
Exceptional students with excellence in academics, sports, arts, and culture are qualified to obtain the UAE Golden Visa as well. High school students can get a 5-year permit with an allowance for an extended period if they are enrolled in a college that requires a study period of more than five years. University students, on the other hand, can get a permit for 10 years.
Outstanding students of foreign universities may be offered a Golden Visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, as long as the cumulative GPA of the student is not less than 3.5, it has not been more than 2 years since they graduated, and their graduation certificate is accredited by the Ministry of Education. In addition, the foreign university must be among the best 100 universities globally as per the rating system recognised by the Ministry of Education.
Frontline Heroes
Frontline heroes who have displayed extraordinary effort in moments of crisis are eligible for the visa as well, with a recommendation from a competent authority. This can include medical assistants, pharmacologists, lab technicians, nurses, and other allied cadres approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.
Humanitarians
Pioneers of humanitarian work can obtain a UAE Golden Visa through what is often referred to as a Humanitarian Visa if they have worked for regional and international organisations in the humanitarian field or have received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international organisation specialising in humanitarianism.
This also applies to outstanding employees who have worked in public interest institutions and civil associations or have been funders of a minimum AED 2 million value of support to humanitarian work.
Documents Required
The documents required to obtain the Golden Visa in the UAE are as follows.
- Passport copies of the applicants.
- Passport-size photographs.
- Proof of investment, employment contract, or business ownership.
- Educational certificates for outstanding students.
- Health insurance coverage for the applicant and associated family members.
- Additional documents about individual professions.
Application Process
You can participate in the application process online through the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). In either case, you need to visit their respective website, create an account, and fill out the application form. Follow it up by uploading the necessary documents and paying the application fee, and await the approval and issuance of the visa electronically.
You can also complete the application process offline by visiting a GDRFA service centre or Amer centre, filling out the application form, presenting the necessary documents, and paying the application fee. Follow up with the GDRFA for any updates on the status of your application.
Real Estate and UAE Golden Visa
Thanks to government initiatives, foreign investors have a remarkably easy way to obtain a Golden Visa by investing in real estate properties. By investing in properties worth at least AED 2 million, you are eligible for a 10-year visa permit. For instance, Aqua Arc, which is nestled in the prime location of Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, has a starting price of AED 2.3 million.
An architectural masterpiece bestowed with all the modern amenities, this exquisite sanctuary is designed to elevate your urban lifestyle to the zenith of luxury. The same is true for Pelagia, located on Al Marjan Island, with the same starting price.
Investing in such a property is not only beneficial, given that you win eligibility for the Golden Visa with it, but it is also economically affordable thanks to its flexible payment plan package. With a down payment of just 10%, the compartmentalised payment package ensures you don’t face any financial strain in obtaining ownership of the property.
To Conclude
The UAE Golden Visa is a boon to foreign nationals who want to live, study, and work in the UAE for a prolonged period. It allows expats to relocate to this highly developed country that has been acclaimed due to its tax exemption regimes on income, capital gains, and inheritance.
With a booming economy and wide career opportunities, along with scenic beauty, the UAE is the ultimate urban hub, and the Golden Visa has empowered foreign citizens to explore the opportunities and beauty of the country further.
FAQs
Commonly Asked Questions about the UAE Golden Visa
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program for talented geniuses, public investors, real estate investors, outstanding students, humanitarian workers, frontline workers, and entrepreneurs, among others, who want to live, work, or study in the country. It is granted for 5 or 10 years, and offers a wide range of benefits to the holders without the need for a national sponsor.
How long is the UAE Golden Visa valid for?
Typically, the UAE Golden Visa is valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on the specific category and requirements, after which you can renew it for the same period.
What happens after 10 years of a Golden Visa in Dubai?
After the completion of the 10-year term of a Golden Visa in Dubai, it can be renewed for another 5 or 10 years, enabling continued long-term residency and the maintenance of its related benefits for the holder, such as family sponsorship and work flexibility.
Can the UAE Golden Visa be renewed after expiry?
Yes, the UAE Golden Visa can be renewed after it expires. However, it is crucial to start the renewal process well before the expiration date. In the event the visa expires while you are outside the UAE, it must be cancelled, and you will need to obtain a new visa to re-enter the country.
Can I stay outside the UAE for long periods without losing my Golden Visa?
Yes, you can stay outside the UAE for long periods, including more than six months, without losing your Golden Visa, which is a major benefit over standard residency visas.
Can entrepreneurs with small businesses apply for the Golden Visa?
Yes, entrepreneurs with small businesses can apply for a UAE Golden Visa if they meet specific criteria, such as being a technical or future-oriented project with a defined value, being part of a strategic sector like renewable energy, healthcare, or technology, or being a startup supported by a reputable incubator. The main requirements depend on the specific category of entrepreneurial achievement.
Are students eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?
Yes, outstanding students are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa, as long as they meet specific academic and institutional criteria. Their eligibility requirements depend on their academic level as well as how recently they have graduated.
Can off-plan or mortgaged properties be used to qualify for the Golden Visa?
Yes, off-plan and mortgaged properties can be used to qualify for the Golden Visa in the UAE, but with specific conditions.
For off-plan properties, you may qualify for the Golden Visa by meeting the minimum investment value, given that the concerned property is a valid investment choice for the Golden Visa program. For mortgaged properties, there has to be at least AED 2 million investment, a letter from the bank confirming this equity, and a No-objection Certificate (NOC).
Can I work for multiple employers with a UAE Golden Visa?
Yes, you can work for multiple employers with a UAE Golden Visa, since it enables self-sponsored residency and career freedom without being restricted to a single employer. But to work legally, you will have to obtain a valid work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for each additional employer.
What are the new categories added to the UAE Golden Visa in 2025?
In May 2025, the Government of the UAE added five new categories to the Golden Visa program. They are educators (teachers and university faculty), long-serving nurses, e-sports and gaming professionals, digital content creators, and luxury yacht owners, with specific qualifications for each category.