The Golden Visa program in the UAE opens up exciting opportunities for individuals seeking to live, work, and invest in Dubai, one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing cities. With the UAE Golden Visa, you can embark on a seamless and efficient journey to obtain residency in the country.
The Dubai Golden Visa, a prestigious residency program, caters to investors, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals who aspire to call Dubai their home. This exclusive program offers a plethora of advantages, including the freedom to reside, work, and pursue education in the UAE. Moreover, it grants access to top-notch healthcare services and allows you to sponsor your family members, enabling them to enjoy the benefits alongside you. Whether your goal is to establish a thriving business or make sound investments in the real estate sector, the UAE Golden Visa provides the perfect platform to fulfill your ambitions and aspirations.
Golden Visa UAE eligibility is typically split into the following categories:
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Investors
The UAE government acknowledges the significance of foreign investment and presents the Golden Visa as an opportunity for investors seeking to engage in the country’s economic landscape. This visa category is specifically tailored for individuals interested in establishing businesses, acquiring real estate, or making investments in UAE banks. It serves as a gateway for those looking to actively participate and contribute to the growth of the UAE’s thriving economy.
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Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs with ambitions to initiate or expand their business ventures in the UAE can also benefit from the Golden Visa. This visa category offers them the opportunity to leverage the country’s exceptional infrastructure, access to a skilled workforce, and a business-friendly environment. By obtaining the Golden Visa, entrepreneurs can establish their presence in the UAE and tap into the vast opportunities available in various industries. Whether it’s launching a startup or scaling an existing business, the Golden Visa provides entrepreneurs with the necessary support and resources to thrive in the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Individuals with Outstanding Talent
Indeed, the UAE Golden Visa program extends its eligibility to individuals with exceptional talents and expertise in various fields. This category of the Golden Visa caters to individuals who have demonstrated remarkable achievements and contributed significantly to their respective fields. Whether they are artists, scientists, doctors, researchers, or professionals in other distinguished disciplines, they can avail themselves of the benefits of the Golden Visa. By obtaining this visa, these talented individuals gain the opportunity to further their careers, collaborate with leading institutions in the UAE, and contribute to the country’s growth and development in their specialized domains. The UAE welcomes and recognizes the valuable contributions that exceptional talents bring to its diverse and thriving society.
The Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa presents a remarkable opportunity for individuals seeking to reside, work, or invest in the UAE. This visa program is thoughtfully designed to simplify the entry and stay processes, alleviating the usual hassles and stress associated with immigration. Here are five key advantages of the Golden Visa UAE:
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No Sponsorship Required
A significant advantage of the UAE Golden Visa is the elimination of the sponsorship requirement. Unlike many other visa types in the UAE, the Golden Visa does not necessitate the involvement of a sponsor or the need to obtain their approval. This simplifies the application process and reduces the complexities associated with finding a sponsor, which is typically a requirement for other visa categories.
By removing the sponsorship requirement, the Golden Visa grants applicants more autonomy and independence in their residency status. Individuals can apply for the Golden Visa based on their eligibility criteria, such as investments, entrepreneurship, exceptional talent, or academic excellence, without the need to rely on a local sponsor.
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Long-Term Residency
Under the Golden Visa, successful applicants can enjoy extended periods of residency in the UAE, ranging from five to ten years. The duration is typically determined by factors such as the nature of the investment, business venture, exceptional talent, or academic pursuit.
This extended residency period provides individuals and their families with stability, security, and the ability to fully immerse themselves in the UAE’s vibrant society and thriving economy. It allows them to plan for the long term, make substantial investments, grow their businesses, pursue education, and contribute to the development of the country.
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Travel Convenience
The UAE Golden Visa offers the convenience of seamless travel in and out of the UAE without the need to apply for a separate visa for each entry. This benefit is particularly valuable for individuals who travel frequently for business or personal reasons. With the Golden Visa, you are granted the freedom to travel in and out of the UAE as often as needed within the validity period of your visa, eliminating the hassle and time-consuming process of obtaining a new visa for each visit. It provides a greater level of flexibility and convenience for individuals who lead dynamic and internationally connected lifestyles.
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Family Visas
The UAE Golden Visa provides family inclusion, allowing families to stay together and experience the numerous benefits the country has to offer. As a Golden Visa holder, you can sponsor your family members, enabling them to obtain their own visas and reside in the UAE alongside you. This feature reinforces the UAE’s commitment to promoting family unity and creating a supportive environment for individuals who wish to build a life in the country. It provides a significant advantage for those who value being together with their loved ones and seeking to create a fulfilling and harmonious family life in the UAE.
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Employment Opportunities
The UAE is one of the world’s leading business and financial centers, with a thriving economy and a wide range of employment opportunities. With the UAE Golden Visa, you’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of these opportunities and build a successful career in the UAE.
What are the UAE Golden Visa Requirements?
Requirements for the Golden visa depend on the type of residence, whether investor, talent, entrepreneur, etc.
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 two million, or
- Submission of a valid commercial license or industrial license and a memorandum of the association stating that the investor’s capital is not less than AED two million
- Submission of a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the government no less than AED 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) annually.
Additionally, you must:
- own the invested capital completely; it must not be a loan and
- provide proof of medical insurance for himself and his family (if any)
Real estate investors
If you own a property or a group of properties, you may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 5 years (1 million) or 10 years (2 million), renewable on the same conditions and without a sponsor subject to the:
- Provision of a letter from the land department of the respective emirate stating that he owns one or more properties whose value is not less than 1 or 2 million dirhams according to the time period.
- Purchase of a property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.
Entrepreneurs
If you are an entrepreneur, you may get a Golden visa for a period of 5 years, if you own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk & innovation. In addition, you must have an approval letter from each of the following:
- An auditor in the UAE stated that the project value is not less than 500,000 dirhams
- The authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature
- An accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.
Outstanding specialized talents
Outstanding specialized talents include:
- doctors
- scientists
- creative people of culture and art
- inventors
- executives
- specialists in scientific fields
- athletes
- doctoral degree holders and
- specialists in the fields of engineering and science.
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.
Requirements for outstanding specialized talent
Doctors and scientists
- an approval Letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE to practice the profession of medicine (for doctors)
- a letter of recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientistsor a letter from the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence stating that the applicant has been awarded the Medal of Scientific Excellence (for scientists).
Inventors
- a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy stating that your patent has added value to the country’s economy
Creative people in the fields of culture and art
- an approval letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the respective emirate.
Related services
- Apply for a creative talented accreditation (cultural visa)– Dubai Culture
- Get an endorsement certificate for creative people– Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
- Get a recommendation letter for a golden visa request– Ministry of Culture and Youth
Athletes
- a recommendation letter from the General Sports Authorityor one of the sports councils
Specialists in engineering and science
- a copy of a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree certified by the Ministry of Educationand a work contract.
Outstanding Students
High school students
If you are a high school student and a national-level topper, (with a minimum grade of 95 per cent in public or private secondary school) you may be granted a Golden visa for 5 years without a sponsor, subject to submission of a recommendation letter from Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment). The duration of the Golden visa for students is 5 years and may be extended if he/she is enrolled in one of the majors/colleges in the country that requires a study period of more than five years.
University students
If you are an outstanding university student, you may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, provided that:
the university must be rated either A or B class by the Ministry of Education
- a recommendation letter from the university or an accredited graduation certificate or an accredited academic record stating that the student’s cumulative GPA is not less than 3.5 for A-class universities and 3.8 for B-class universities is submitted.
- it has not been more than 2 years since you graduated.
Outstanding students of foreign universities may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, provided that:
- The university is rated among the best 100 universities globally according to the rating system recognized by the Ministry of Education
- The student’s cumulative GPA is not less than 3.5
- It has not been more than 2 years since you graduated
- Graduation certificate is accredited by the Ministry of Education
Pioneers of humanitarian work
If you are a pioneer of humanitarian work, you may get a Golden visa for 10 years. You must be one of the following categories to qualify as a pioneer of humanitarian work:
- members and outstanding employees who have worked for international and regional organizations for a minimum of five years
- members and outstanding employees who have worked for civil associations and institutions of public interest for a minimum of five years
- individuals who have received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international organization that focuses on humanitarian work
- funders of humanitarian work provided that the value of the support does not fall below two million UAE dirhams or its equivalent.
Frontline heroes
Frontline heroes who displayed extraordinary effort in crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic also may get the Golden visa with a recommendation from a competent authority. Frontline heroes include nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and other cadres approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.