Your Guide to UAE’s Golden Visa
Imagine living and working in the dynamic and vibrant United Arab Emirates – with a long-term visa that grants you exceptional freedom. That’s the power of the UAE’s Golden Visa, a revolutionary residence program designed to attract and retain the world’s brightest minds.
What is the Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa offers a long-term residence visa, valid for either 5 or 10 years. This eliminates the need for frequent renewals and provides stability. Unlike traditional visas, the Golden Visa grants you the freedom to live, work, or study in the UAE – all without the requirement of a local sponsor.
Golden Visa Benefits
The Golden Visa offers a multitude of advantages that make it a highly sought-after program:
- Multiple Entry Convenience: A six-month entry visa with multiple entries allows you to complete your residency application process.
- Long-Term Stability: Choose a five-year or ten-year visa, giving peace of mind and the ability to plan for the future.
- Sponsor Freedom: Live and work independently, without the need for local sponsorship.
- Extended Absence: Travel freely – the Golden Visa allows you to stay outside the UAE for extended periods without jeopardizing your residency status.
- Family Sponsorship: Sponsor your spouse and children, regardless of age, and even include unlimited domestic helpers.
- Enduring Legacy: In the unfortunate event of the primary visa holder’s passing, family members can still reside in the UAE for the remaining duration of their visas.
Who is Eligible?
The UAE’s Golden Visa program caters to a diverse range of talented individuals, including:
- Investors meeting specific investment criteria in real estate or businesses.
- Entrepreneurs with innovative ventures.
- Exceptional students and graduates from top universities.
- Scientists and researchers contributing to their fields.
- Medical professionals with specialized skills and experience.
Golden Visa Requirements
Golden visa requirements vary depending on the type of residence, such as investor, talent, or entrepreneur.
For Investors In Public Investments
- Golden Visa may be granted for ten years without a sponsor, subject to submitting a letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that the investor has a deposit of AED 2 million.
- To apply, you must submit a valid commercial or industrial license and a memorandum of association stating that your capital is not less than AED 2 million.
- You must also provide a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that you pay the government no less than AED 250,000 annually.
- Additionally, you must own the invested capital completely, and it must not be a loan.
- You must provide proof of medical insurance for yourself and your family (if applicable).
Real Estate Investors
Real estate investors may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 5 years, renewable on the same conditions and without a sponsor, subject to the following requirements: provision of a letter from the land department of the respective emirate stating that they own one or more properties valued at not less than 2 million AED or purchase of a property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs may be eligible for a five-year Golden visa if they own an economic project based on risk and innovation with a technical or future focus. To qualify, they must provide an approval letter from an auditor in the UAE confirming that the project value is at least 500,000 dirhams and approval from the authorities in the emirate confirming that the project is of a technical or future nature.
Additionally, they must obtain accreditation from a business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.
Specialized Talents
- 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.
Specialized individuals may be eligible for a 10-year Golden visa upon meeting specific requirements.
- For doctors and scientists, this includes obtaining an approval letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE to practice medicine.
- To apply, scientists must provide a letter of recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence confirming that they have been awarded the Medal of Scientific Excellence.
Inventors
A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy stating that their patent has added value to the country’s economy is required.
Creative Individuals in The Fields of Culture And Art
They must provide an approval letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in their respective emirate.
Executive Directors
Must provide a copy of a university degree accredited by the Ministry of Education, with educational attainment not less than a bachelor’s degree, a letter of experience of no less than five years holding the same position, a salary certificate with a salary of at least AED 50,000, and a valid work contract.
Athletes
Athletes must provide a recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or 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 Education and a work contract.
Outstanding Students
High School Students
As a high school student who has achieved national-level distinction (securing a minimum grade of 95 percent in public or private secondary education), you may qualify for a five-year Golden Visa without requiring a sponsor. This opportunity is contingent upon providing a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment). The Golden Visa’s duration for students is five years, with the possibility of extension should you enroll in a primary/college within the country that necessitates a five-year study period.
University Students
Exceptional university students may be eligible for a Golden Visa for a duration of ten years without a sponsor under the conditions that:
- The Ministry of Education classifies the university as either A or B.
- A recommendation letter from the university, an accredited graduation certificate, or an academic record verifying that the student’s cumulative GPA is at least 3.5 for A-class universities and 3.8 for B-class universities is provided.
- No more than two years have elapsed since your graduation.
Additionally, outstanding students from foreign universities ranked among the top 100 globally, as recognized by the Ministry of Education, may also be eligible for a ten-year Golden Visa without a sponsor, provided they have:
- A cumulative GPA of no less than 3.5.
- Graduated no more than 2 years ago.
- An accredited graduation certificate from the Ministry of Education.
Pioneers of Humanitarian Work
Individuals distinguished in humanitarian work may receive a ten-year Golden Visa. Eligibility extends to:
- Members and exemplary employees who have dedicated a minimum of five years to international and regional organizations.
- Members and exemplary employees committed to civil associations and public interest institutions for at least five years.
- Recipients of appreciation awards in humanitarian work from local, regional, or international organizations.
- Donors of humanitarian efforts, with contributions not less than 2 million AED or equivalent.
Frontline Heroes
Frontline heroes who have demonstrated exceptional commitment during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may also qualify for the Golden Visa, pending a recommendation from the relevant authority. This includes nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and other recognized professional categories by the Frontline Heroes Office.