What is the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden Visa is a special long-term residency programme that allows foreign nationals to legally reside in the country for 5 or 10 years, with the possibility of extension and various benefits. It was introduced by the UAE government in 2019 to attract investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, hopeful students and creative individuals.

Visa holders can bring their families, including spouses and children, making the programme particularly attractive to those considering the UAE as a country for permanent residence.

1. Benefits of a UAE Golden Visa

Obtaining a Golden Visa opens up many opportunities for long-term residency in the United Arab Emirates. Unlike a regular residency visa, which is issued for a period of 2 years, it does not require permanent ownership of the property purchased under the programme and also gives the opportunity to obtain an Esaad card, which significantly improves the quality of life in the country.

1.1 Property ownership

With the Golden Visa, you do not have to wait 3 years before you can sell a property bought under the scheme. Unlike a regular residence visa, you can resell and buy new residential and commercial properties without losing your visa status. In addition, mortgage benefits are available to Gold Visa holders if he/she decides to buy one/few more properties in the Emirates.

1.2 Employment and Business Entitlements

The Golden Visa entitles the holder to work in the UAE without the need for a local sponsor, making career prospects much easier. The visa holder can either work on an employment contract or set up their own business. For entrepreneurs, the programme provides ample opportunities to develop start-ups with access to public and private investment.

1.3 Obtaining an Esaad Card

The Esaad Card gives you the opportunity to enjoy more benefits and privileges while living in any of the Emirates. Here are just a few of the benefits:

1. Discounts of up to % on medical treatment at modern clinics in the country;
2. Discounts of up to 70% on services provided by government departments, language schools, travel agencies, etc;
3. Discounts on certain goods and services;

Premium services at airports (priority treatment, access to business lounges, increased baggage allowance, etc.).

The Esaad Card makes life and travel more comfortable and defines the status of its holder. In addition, these privileges are extended to the cardholder's family members.

1.4 Education and Healthcare

The Golden Visa provides access to quality education and medical services. Visa holders and their families can send their children to public or government schools, and receive high-tech and high quality medical care at the best clinics in the UAE. It is important that the holder has health insurance, as although there are affordable medical services in the UAE, insurance will make it much easier to seek help.

1.5 Family Rights and Privileges

Gold Visa holders may bring their immediate family members, including spouses and children (daughters of any age and sons under 25). Family members can also work in the UAE, study at local educational institutions and enjoy all benefits.

1.6 Ease of visa renewal

After 5 or 10 years, it is easy to renew the Golden Visa. It is enough to confirm that there are still reasons for holding it.

1.7. No need to reside permanently in the UAE

Even if you are absent from the country for a long period of time, your residency will not be revoked. This gives great flexibility to those who travel frequently and does not restrict the holder and their family from travelling around the world.

2. Categories of applicants

There are several categories of foreign nationals who are eligible to apply for and receive a UAE Gold Visa.

1. Investors - A Gold Visa requires a significant investment in property, shares or local companies. Investors who purchase property worth AED 2 million or more can apply for a 10-year visa. This opens up opportunities for international investors interested in the UAE in both the real estate and financial sectors.
2. Entrepreneurs - Business people with successful start-ups or innovative projects can apply for a visa if their activities are recognised as valuable to the UAE economy. As well as long-term residency, the programme offers business opportunities, including simplified company registration and access to government investment funds.
3. Highly Skilled Professionals - Doctors, engineers, programmers, teachers and other professionals with very high qualifications and skills in demand in the UAE can obtain a Golden Visa if they have an official work contract and the appropriate level of education.
4. Scientists and Researchers - Professionals in the natural and exact sciences who have been recognised for their scientific achievements can apply for the visa with the support of recognised scientific institutions in the UAE.
5. Prospective students - students of high academic calibre studying at leading universities around the world are eligible for a visa if their academic performance meets the requirements. This visa category not only opens doors for students, but also helps attract the best minds to UAE universities, thereby strengthening the country's education system.
6. Creative individuals - artists, musicians, actors, writers and other creative professionals can qualify for the Golden Visa if they have significant achievements in their field. The UAE is committed to supporting and developing cultural diversity and the creative industries.

3. Types of UAE Gold Visa

The UAE Gold Visa offers two types of long-term visas, each designed for specific categories of individuals.

3.1 The 10-Year Gold Visa

The 10-year Gold Visa is granted to nationals who have made a significant contribution to the UAE's economy, science, medicine, technology, culture or other key sectors. This type of visa is for people whose work is recognised as important to the country and offers a wide range of benefits.

Who can apply:

1. Investors who have invested large sums of money in local businesses or property (AED 2 million or more). This can be an individual investor or a group of investors.
2. Highly skilled professionals such as doctors, engineers, scientists who are experts in their field and can bring benefits to the UAE economy and society.
3. Members of the creative professions such as artists, musicians, writers and others whose work has been recognised internationally.
4. Entrepreneurs and CEOs of major companies who have made an impact on business development in the UAE.
5. Scientists and researchers whose achievements in science and technology are internationally recognised.

3.2 5 Year Gold Visa

The 5-year Gold Visa is for people who are just starting their journey in the UAE, but have already proven themselves in their professional career or have made a significant contribution to the country's economy. This visa category is suitable for students, entrepreneurs and property owners.

Who can apply:

1. Talented students with high academic achievements studying at leading universities around the world. Students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies in the UAE or graduate from international institutions can apply for this visa.
2. Entrepreneurs who are just starting to develop their business in the UAE but already have promising projects or start-ups.
3. Property owners who are investing in the residential or commercial property market in the UAE and meet the financial requirements for the visa.

4. Gold Investor Visa

The Gold Investor Visa is available to those willing to invest heavily in the UAE economy by purchasing property or investing in local businesses.

Investment Thresholds and Opportunities:

1. Property purchase of AED 2 million (approximately half a million dollars) or more - 10 year visa;
2. Contribution to an investment fund of AED 2 million or more - 10-year visa;
3. Establish a company with authorised capital of AED 500,000 (5 year visa) or AED 2 million (10 year visa);
4. Owners of companies that have approved business incubators accredited in the UAE - 5 year visa;
5. Any investment in the economy of 2 million dirhams or more, provided that real estate does not exceed a percentage of the total investment.

In some cases, the Golden Visa is granted not only to the founder of the company, but also to its partners and/or employees (e.g. managing directors, consultants, top managers).

5. Golden Visa for Talented Individuals

The first step is to determine which category the applicant falls into. There will be different requirements for each.

1. For Gifted Students - study at an international university with a minimum GPA of 3.75 and high academic achievement OR study at a high school with a minimum GPA of 95 out of 100.
2. For academics - have certificates and other evidence of significant contributions to their field OR have taught at a high level international university.
3. For medical professionals - have at least 20 years of work experience and relevant education, certificates and diplomas can also be attached, another option is to work under a valid UAE licence.
4. Executives and valuable companies - have a bachelor's degree, at least 5 years of work experience and a monthly salary above a certain threshold (AED 30,000 for professionals, AED 50,000 for executives).
5. Creative people - to have proof of their achievements calculated on an international scale.

If you do not meet the above criteria and are denied a Golden Visa, do not despair. You can get a regular residence visa on the same grounds and renew it without any problems.

6. Golden Visa application step-by-step

Firstly, it is important to understand the basis on which the Golden Visa is granted. For investors it is a property deal or deposit in the UAE, for businessmen it is opening a company, for professionals, scientists, students or creative people it is collecting documents that confirm their qualifications. You can then proceed directly to the visa application process.

6.1 Document collection

Gathering documents includes obtaining a passport, financial, employment and property records, and health insurance. It is important to ensure that all documents are translated into Arabic or English, notarised and apostilled. This stage also includes the preparation of biometric data.

The medical examination is a mandatory step for all applicants and includes a test for infectious diseases. The medical examination is carried out in certified medical centres and can take from one to several working days. The health screening ensures that applicants do not pose a risk to public health.

Biometric identification involves taking fingerprints and photographs at immigration centres. This step is necessary for final confirmation of the applicant's identity and registration in the immigration system.

6.2 Where to apply for a Golden Visa

Applications are made through official government online portals, Emirates Service Centres or licensed agencies. This simplifies the application process and avoids long waiting times.

There are two authorities responsible for issuing Golden Visas:

1. The Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship, the main government body responsible for issuing Golden Visas and processing applications.
2. The General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs - the body responsible for issuing visas in individual emirates such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Service centres in the emirates accept documents and advise applicants on the application process.

Licensed private agencies offer assistance with document preparation and can expedite the visa application process.

6.3 Obtaining an identity card and temporary visa

An intermediate step is to obtain an ID card, which all residents have. It is considered an important supplement to the passport and serves as the main proof of identity.

If it takes time to obtain a golden visa, the applicant will be issued with a temporary visa, which allows them to stay in the country and travel abroad.

6.4 Timeframe for obtaining a visa

Approval and issuance of the visa will take place following the verification of all documents and the successful completion of a medical examination. The Golden Visa is issued to the applicant for a period of 5 or 10 years with the possibility of extension. The average processing time varies from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the workload of the immigration services and the category of applicant.