A UAE golden visa is one of the most sought-after documents in town.
Essentially, it’s your ticket to a long-term residency in Dubai – and it’s not as hard to get your hands on as you might think.
When it first launched, the visa was given to residents who made outstanding contributions to the country, were highly skilled in certain fields, or worked in key industries.
But in the past few years, the process has become a lot more open, and it’s possible you could find yourself being eligible without even knowing.
You might also like: A complete guide to UAE residence and tourist visas
Read on for your essential guide to the golden visa, how to apply, and a list of all the benefits.
What is a UAE golden visa?
If you have a UAE golden visa, you have residency 10 years. This residency is not tied to a particular employer and means you will no longer need to renew your visa every couple of years. Result.
UAE golden visas enable expats to live, work and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor and with 100 percent ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland.
Who can apply for the golden visa?
There are slightly different rules for golden visas depending on whether you intend on residing in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE.
In Dubai, there are six main categories of people who can apply for the UAE golden visa. These are:
- Entrepreneurs
- Humanitarian pioneers
- Investors
- Outstanding students and graduates
- Specialised scientists
- Talented geniuses
Additionally, Dubai has also arranged for golden visas for teachers, nurses, gaming professionals and, most famously, content creators.
More information on each category can be found below:
1. Investors
Are you a homeowner in the UAE? Real estate investors can obtain the UAE golden visa if they purchase a property worth at least Dhs2 million.
Property investors can qualify for the golden visa if the property’s value is Dhs2 million or more, regardless of whether it’s off-plan, completed or mortgaged. There is no minimum down payment requirement for the visa application to go through.
You could also be entitled to a golden visa if you have made significant public investments including a deposit of no less than Dhs2 million in a company’s capital, if you’re a partner in a company’s capital with no less than Dhs2 million or if you have a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that you either pay the government Dhs250,000 annually or that you’re a partner in an establishment that pays Dhs250,000 in tax annually.
Several banks in the UAE also offer up the incentive of a UAE golden visa on their websites if you’re able to deposit Dhs2 million with them.
These banks include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Ajman Bank, Al Maryah Community Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank and RAKBank.
Holders of the investor golden visa are entitled to a 10-year residence permit in Dubai.
The UAE has also clarified that cryptocurrency investors are not entitled to the golden visa.
2. Entrepreneurs
It is possible for real estate entrepreneurs to apply for and obtain a UAE golden visa once one or more of the following four conditions are fulfilled:
- Applicants must be nominated by the Dubai Future Foundation when applying for a Dubai entrepreneurial golden visa
- The entrepreneur must have a “pioneering project” registered with the Ministry of Economy or relevant local authorities with an annual income of Dhs1 million
- The entrepreneur must have a pioneering project with a business incubator or the Ministry of Economy, establishing a business in the UAE, with an income of Dhs2 million
- The entrepreneur must have founded a pioneering project that was sold for no less than Dhs7 million
Service fees are priced at Dhs2,280, the residence permit fee is Dhs1,100, the fee inside the country is Dhs500, the Knowledge Dirham is Dhs and the Innovation Dirham is Dhs10.
The residency period will be for 10 years, provided the entrepreneur meets the conditions.
3. Talented geniuses
People with exceptional talents, such as inventors, innovators, and talents in vital fields such as culture, art, sports and digital technology can apply for and obtain a UAE golden visa regardless of their educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary or professional level.
Global pioneers in the culture and arts category need to meet a certain set of criteria. They must have received a recognised global or international award in the field of creativity, be nominated for a global award, receive a certificate of appreciation from a recognised global entity or hold an honorary position in a recognised global entity as a result of outstanding creativity.
Locally or regionally prominent people in creative fields can also qualify. If they receive a certificate of appreciation from a regional entity, are nominated for a recognised local or regional award or hold an honorary position in a recognised local or regional entity as a creative then they could get a Dubai golden visa.
Distinguished practitioners also qualify for the golden visa provided they can prove the following:
- At least five years of professional experience in intellectual or creative production
- Possess published or distributed creative works within the last three years
- Works must have received clear recognition from either critics, the media or specialised entities
- Collaborated with well-known and prestigious entities, locally or internationally
- Be a member of a prestigious international arts organisation
Athletes need to gain initial approval from a nominating authority before final approval is obtained by the GDRFA, in accordance with the regulations and requirements.
Dubai aims to boost its economy with investment in the gaming sector, with plans to increase its GDP by Dhs3.6 billion by 2033 from gaming alone. If you’re a gamer then find out more here about how you could be entitled to a golden visa.
The visa requires a recommendation or approval from a federal or local government entity.
4. Scientists
Scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field can apply for a golden visa should they receive a recommendation from several different authorities. These authorities are:
- Accomplished scientists and researchers: the Emirates Scientists Council
- Senior scholars and religious leaders: Ministry of Culture and Youth or the relevant local authorities
- Elite fields of industry and the fourth industrial revolution: Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology or the relevant local authorities
- Elite health fields: Ministry of Health and Prevention or the relevant local authorities
- Elite education fields: Ministry of Education or relevant local authorities
Approval for each of the above will be granted by the UAE’s Federal Identity Authority.
Skilled workers with a specialism at a higher professional level also fall under the “specialised scientists” category. These specialists require a valid employment contract or a salary certificate in the UAE, a monthly salary of at least Dhs30,000, a bank statement of the last six months of bank salary transfers, a certificate of academic achievement and a license to practice the profession.
5. Outstanding students and graduates
Outstanding and high achievers in the UAE’s secondary school system, as well as outstanding graduates from the UAE’s universities, are eligible to apply. This also extends to high achievers graduating from the best 100 universities worldwide.
There are several stipulations including; academic performance/cumulative grade average, year of graduation and the university classification.
Students from top universities worldwide with a GPA of no less than 3.5 are eligible to apply for the golden visa. If you’re a student at an accredited university in the UAE, you’ll need a letter from your school stating your GPA is not less than 3.8.
High school students who have obtained an average rate of at least 95 per cent in the high school certificate from public or private schools are also eligible. Those students’ families will also be included in the visa.
6. Humanitarian pioneers
A candidate for a golden visa who has been a pioneer in humanitarian work can fall under a number of different criteria ranging from being an outstanding employee in a humanitarian organisation to being a humanitarian volunteer. A recommendation from the Ministry of Community Empowerment is required in Dubai.
If any of the following applies to your humanitarian work then you could be entitled to a golden visa:
- You have worked in international and regional organisations for a minimum of five years.
- You have been a member or outstanding employee in a civil association or institution of public interest for a minimum of five years.
- You have received an appreciation award from a local, regional or international organisation that specialises in humanitarian work.
- You are an outstanding humanitarian volunteer with at least five years of service or at least 500 hours of service.
- You have funded humanitarian work to the value of at least Dhs2 million.
- You have been nominated by a minister as a pioneer of humanitarian work.
- You hold a relevant university degree and have completed other requirements imposed by a ministry or authority.
Other Dubai golden visa categories
While not actively listed on the GDRFA’s website, the emirate does assist with golden visas throughout the year across different industries and sectors.
Teachers
For the past few years, teachers in Dubai have been rewarded with golden visas as the city marks World Teacher Day.
The golden visas are given to educators in private early childhood centres, schools, and higher education institutions in Dubai.
- You need to demonstrate exceptional academic achievements and innovative contributions to education
- You will need to have proven success in raising the quality of education at institutions you’ve worked at
- You will need to have created a positive impact which is recognised by the wider educational community
- And you will need to prove you’ve made to contributions to improving student outcomes, including academic progress and helped to attain recognised qualifications.
Content Creators
If you’re a social media influencer, photographer, writer or any other type of content creator then you might well be eligible for a golden visa in Dubai.
If you meet the following criteria then you could be eligible:
- Have a proven track record of impactful content or creative work.
- Have received recognition or awards for your contributions in the content space.
- Show strong potential for creating value and contributing to the UAE’s creative community.
- Can demonstrate consistent growth and engagement in your content efforts.
Content creators will be assisted with golden visa applications via Dubai’s Creators HQ.
Nurses
Announced on Monday May 12, International Nurses Day, Dubai Health nurses who have more than 15 years of service will be awarded the Dubai golden visa.
Nursing staff who have served Dubai Health for more than 15 years will be issued with the long-term residency visa in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the community.
The nursing golden visa rewards those who have played a crucial role in advancing the quality of healthcare services in the emirate.
What benefits and perks do I get with the golden visa?
It’s not just long-term residency that you’ll benefit from with a golden visa.
There are a number of benefits and perks that aren’t currently available to holders of the standard UAE residency visa.
In total, the benefits include:
1. Extended residency rights
Anyone with a golden residency for themselves and their dependents has a UAE residents visa for up to ten years, while a standard residency visa requires renewal every two to three years.
2. Self-sponsored work or stay
UAE golden visa holders can remain living, working and studying in the country for the entirety of their visa, with or without gaining local or other employment. The holder can work for themselves, or another company (local or otherwise) without the need for individual sponsorship. Unlike the standard residency visa, the UAE golden visa permits holders to remain in the country long-term without employment.
3. Ability to sponsor family and unlimited domestic helpers
The UAE golden visa allows for the individual holder to sponsor their family members, including spouse and children (regardless of dependents’ age).
Should the main holder of the UAE golden visa pass away during the term of the ten-year visa, their family members are allowed to remain on said UAE golden visa residency until the time of natural conclusion of the visa.
Holders of this visa type may also employ and support an unlimited number of domestic helpers. The UAE golden visa does not limit the number of employed and sponsored support.
4. Extended time outside the UAE
It’s possible for UAE golden visa holders to spend extended periods of time outside the UAE without impacting their eligibility or the validity of the visa.
On the standard residents’ visa, your visa would be nullified upon spending more than six months outside the jurisdiction.
How long does the UAE golden visa last and can it be renewed?
We think you know by now, but the golden visa lasts for 10 years. It can be renewed, permitting the residence holder still meets the original requirements of the visa.
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