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What is the UAE’s Golden Visa?

The UAE's Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign talents to live, work, or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. These benefits include:

• An entry visa for six months with multiple entries to facilitate the residence issuance process.

• A long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years.

• No need for a local sponsor.

• Flexibility to stay outside the UAE for more than six months without losing residency status.

• Sponsorship for family members, including spouses and children, regardless of their age.

• Sponsorship of an unlimited number of domestic helpers.

• Family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration if the primary Golden Visa holder passes away.

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For any visa-related inquiries, please contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) or the UAE’s embassies and consulates.

For Dubai-specific visas, contact the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai (GDRFAD).

Related Links:

 

• UAE Cabinet approves Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners - WAM

• Golden Residency - Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security​

• Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi – TAMM

• Discover the Golden Visa and its Categories - Abu Dhabi Residents Office

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Golden Visa Requirements

Requirements for the Golden Visa vary based on the category of residency, such as investor, talent, or entrepreneur.

Investors in Public Investments
Investors may be granted a Golden Visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, provided they meet the following criteria:

Submit a letter from an accredited investment fund in the UAE stating a deposit of AED 2 million.
Present a valid commercial or industrial license and a memorandum of association showing a capital investment of not less than AED 2 million.
Provide a letter from the Federal Tax Authority confirming that they pay the government no less than AED 250,000 annually.

Additionally, investors must:

Completely own the invested capital; it cannot be a loan.
Provide proof of medical insurance for themselves and their family.

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Real Estate Investors

Real estate investors can obtain a Golden Visa for 5 years, renewable under the same conditions and without a sponsor, by meeting the following:

Provide a letter from the respective emirate's land department stating ownership of one or more properties valued at no less than AED 2 million.
Purchase property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.

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Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs may receive a 5-year Golden Visa if they own an economic project of a technical or future-oriented nature based on risk and innovation. Required approvals include:

A letter from a UAE auditor confirming the project value is not less than AED 500,000.
An endorsement from authorities in the emirate stating the project's technical or future nature.
Approval from an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.

 

Outstanding Specialized Talents

Categories of outstanding specialized talents include:
 

• Doctors

• Scientists

• Creative individuals in culture and art

• Inventors

• Executives

• Specialists in scientific fields

• Athletes

• Doctoral degree holders

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Specialists in engineering and science fields

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• epidemiology and viruses

• artificial intelligence,

• big data

• computer engineering

• electronic engineering

• software engineering

• electrical engineering

• genetics, and biotechnology engineering

Outstanding specialized talents may receive a 10-year Golden Visa if they meet the following criteria:

Doctors and Scientists: An approval letter from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to practice medicine, or a recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.

Inventors: A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy stating the patent's added value to the country's economy.

Creative Individuals in Culture and Art: An approval letter from the department of culture and arts in the respective emirate.

Related Services:
 

• Apply for a Creative Talent Accreditation (Cultural Visa) – Dubai Culture

• Get an Endorsement Certificate for Creative People – Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism

• Get a Recommendation Letter for Golden Visa Request – Ministry of Culture and Youth

Executive Directors: A copy of a university degree accredited by the Ministry of Education (at least a bachelor’s degree), a letter of experience of no less than 5 years in the same position, a salary certificate with at least AED 50,000, and a valid work contract.

Athletes: A recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils.

Specialists in Engineering and Science: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certified by the Ministry of Education and a work contract.

Outstanding Students

High School Students

National-level toppers in high school (with a minimum grade of 95% in public or private secondary school) may be granted a 5-year Golden Visa without a sponsor. This requires a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment). The Golden Visa for students is valid for 5 years and may be extended if they enroll in a major/college in the UAE that requires more than five years of study.

University Students

Outstanding university students may receive a 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor if they:

• Attend a university rated A or B class by the Ministry of Education.

• Provide a recommendation letter from the university or an accredited graduation certificate or academic record showing a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 for A-class universities and 3.8 for B-class universities.

• Graduated no more than 2 years ago.

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Outstanding students from foreign universities may also receive a 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor if they:

• Attend a university ranked among the top 100 globally according to the Ministry of Education's recognized rating system.

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.

• Graduated no more than 2 years ago.

• Have a graduation certificate accredited by the Ministry of Education.

 

Pioneers of Humanitarian Work

Pioneers of humanitarian work may qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa if they fall into one of the following categories:

• Members and outstanding employees of international and regional organizations with at least 5 years of service.

• Members and outstanding employees of civil associations and public interest institutions with at least 5 years of service.

• Individuals who have received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international organization focused on humanitarian work.

• Funders of humanitarian work, provided the support value is not less than AED 2 million or its equivalent.

 

Frontline Heroes

Frontline heroes who showed extraordinary effort during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may also receive the Golden Visa with a recommendation from a competent authority. This category includes nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and other cadres approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.