UAE Golden Visa Program: A Gateway to Long-Term Residency

The Golden Visa offers long-term residency in the UAE for foreign talents, enabling them to live, work, or study with exclusive benefits. Eligible applicants include investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes. Learn about eligibility requirements and benefits.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced the “Golden Visa Residency” program, an innovative initiative that offers long-term residency to a broad spectrum of individuals without the need for an in-country sponsor. This program grants a multi-year residence permit and is designed to attract talented individuals, researchers, outstanding students, doctors, specialists, innovators, athletes, entrepreneurs, investors, and emerging companies. Not only does this program benefit these individuals, but it also extends to their family members, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for expatriates.

What is the UAE’s Golden Visa?

The UAE’s Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa designed for foreign talents, allowing them to live, work, or study in the UAE while enjoying a range of exclusive benefits, such as:

• A six-month entry visa with multiple entries to facilitate the residency process.
• A long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years.
• No requirement for a local sponsor.
• The flexibility to stay outside the UAE for extended periods (beyond six months) without losing residency status.
• The ability to sponsor family members, including spouses and children of any age.
• The option to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic workers.
• Assurance that family members can remain in the UAE until the end of their permit duration if the primary Golden Visa holder passes away.

Background

The UAE Cabinet, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, approved executive regulations for the Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners in 2022. These regulations aim to enhance the UAE’s appeal as a top destination for living, working, and investing. Key provisions include streamlined entry visas and residence permits to attract global talents and skilled workers, bolstering market competitiveness and job market flexibility.

Significant changes to the UAE Golden Residence Scheme simplify eligibility criteria and expand beneficiary categories. Holders can sponsor family members, including spouse, children of any age, and parents, without restriction on their number. The Golden Residence remains valid regardless of the duration spent outside the UAE. Additionally, family members can continue residency in the UAE in case of the primary holder’s death until the permit expires.

UAE Golden Visa scheme: Categories and eligibility requirements

The UAE’s Golden Visa requirements vary based on the applicant’s category, such as investors, entrepreneurs, outstanding talents, or students. Below are the specific eligibility criteria for each category:

1. Investors in Public Investments

Investors may qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa without the need for a sponsor, subject to:

• A letter from an accredited UAE investment fund confirming a deposit of AED 2 million, or
• A valid commercial or industrial license and memorandum of association proving a capital of at least AED 2 million, or
• A letter from the Federal Tax Authority confirming the investor pays at least AED 250,000 annually to the government.

Additional requirements:

• Ownership of the invested capital without loans.
• Proof of medical insurance for the investor and their family.

2. Real Estate Investors

Real estate investors may qualify for a 5-year renewable Golden Visa without a sponsor if they:

• Provide a letter from the emirate’s land department verifying ownership of property/properties worth at least AED 2 million.
• Purchase property using a loan from approved local banks.

3. Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are eligible for a 5-year Golden Visa if they own an innovative project of technical or future-oriented nature. Applicants must submit:

• A letter from an auditor in the UAE confirming the project is valued at no less than AED 500,000.
• A letter from local authorities verifying the project is of technical or future significance.
• A letter from an accredited business incubator supporting the project’s establishment in the UAE.

4. Outstanding Specialized Talents

This category includes doctors, scientists, inventors, creative professionals, athletes, executives, and specialists in engineering and science.

Requirements by Category:

• Doctors and Scientists:
  • An approval letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (for doctors).
  • A recommendation letter from the Emirates Council of Scientists or recognition from the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence (for scientists).
• Inventors:
  • A letter from the Ministry of Economy confirming a patent that contributes to the UAE’s economy.
• Creative Professionals (Culture and Arts):
  • Approval from the respective emirate’s department of culture and arts.
• Executive Directors:
  • A bachelor’s degree accredited by the Ministry of Education.
  • A minimum of five years’ experience in the same position.
  • A salary of at least AED 50,000 and a valid work contract.
• Athletes:
  • A recommendation from the General Sports Authority or relevant sports councils.
• Specialists in Engineering and Science:
  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field certified by the Ministry of Education and a valid work contract.

Fields include artificial intelligence, big data, computer engineering, epidemiology, biotechnology, and more.

5. Outstanding Students

• High School Students:
  • National-level toppers with a minimum grade of 95% in public or private secondary schools.
  • Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education.
• University Students:
  • Outstanding students in A-class or B-class universities with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 (A class) or 3.8 (B class).
  • Must graduate within two years of application.
  • Outstanding graduates from top 100 global universities with a GPA of at least 3.5 are also eligible, subject to Ministry of Education accreditation.

6. Pioneers of Humanitarian Work

Eligibility for a 10-year Golden Visa includes:

• Members/employees of international or regional organizations or civil associations with at least five years of service.
• Recipients of humanitarian appreciation awards.
• Individuals who have donated at least AED 2 million to humanitarian causes.

7. Frontline Heroes

Frontline workers, such as nurses, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and medical assistants, who demonstrated extraordinary efforts during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, may be eligible for a Golden Visa based on recommendations from relevant authorities.

Validity and renewal

The validity period and renewal of the Golden Visa depends on the eligibility criteria for each specific category.

Application and further information

The UAE’s ‘One Touch’ Golden Visa service is a streamlined solution designed to make the application and renewal process for the Golden Residence Visa hassle-free, saving you valuable time and effort.

Key benefits:

• Assistance with visa applications and renewals.
• Support for issuing and regularizing other visas.
• Simplified issuance and renewal of residency and identity documents—all in a single step.

How to access the service:

• You can apply easily via the ICP website or the ICP app, available on Google Play and the App Store.
• Leverage this comprehensive service to ensure a seamless experience in obtaining or renewing your UAE Golden Visa.

Summary

The UAE Golden Visa program represents a strategic initiative to bolster the country’s talent pool, fostering an environment ripe for innovation, economic growth, and cultural enrichment. By offering a stable and long-term residency option, the UAE aims to attract and retain top global talent, contributing to the nation’s ongoing success and development.

(This article was originally published June 24, 2024. It was last updated December 16, 2024.)

• Previous Article End of Service Benefits: Saudi Labor Law
• Next Article UAE’s New National Investment Strategy 2031: Key Sector Prospects