Golden Visa in UAE

Long Term 10-year Golden Residence Visa in the UAE

UAE Golden Visa or a Long Term 10-year Residence Visa

UAE Government had introduced a new Golden Visa System for Long Term Residence in 2019 to promote entrepreneurship, education, and long term knowledge creation.

Aimed at inviting more entrepreneurs, global investors, and specialized talents from abroad and provide an opportunity for UAE based ex-pats to support more actively to the UAE economy, the UAE Government has broadened the eligibility criteria for specialist talents to secure long term residence visa in UAE.

Under the Long term (Gold Visa) Visa norms foreign investors, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals are eligible to apply for a 10-year residence visa and settle in UAE without the need of a national sponsor.

For the global Investor, it is 100% ownership of their business on the UAE mainland and an extended stay in UAE with family. Under the Golden Visa scheme in UAE, the Visas validity is for a 10 years and renewable.

Eligibility for a Golden Visa in UAE

There are four options a high-net-worth individual or a business owner can consider for obtaining a Golden Visa or 10-Year Residence Visa in UAE.

Property Investor Golden Visa from the Dubai Land Department
Company Investor Golden Visa from the Immigration
High-Net Worth Employee Visa from the Immigration
High-Net-Worth Investor Visa by Fixed Deposit from the Immigration

Additionally, there are Golden Visa category for education. That is for PHD holders, Scientists, innovators etc., and also for high school and college graduates with high marks.

Also, importantly, there is an eligibility check to meet the requirements to approve and issue the Golden Visa by the UAE Government. Investors, highly skilled Professionals, High-Net-Worth Individuals, and Students must meet certain criteria to qualify for applying for the Golden Visa.

Category 1: Property Investors in the UAE

This category is tailor-made for high-net-worth property investors in the UAE. The criteria to be eligible for the 10-year visa is a minimum investment of AED 2 Million in any of the properties located in Dubai.

High net worth investors can apply for the Golden Visa even if they have just started the property registration process and agreed to pay the purchase amount as a mortgage/loan or as a monthly instalment plan. There is no requirement to make a minimum downpayment amount for qualifying to apply for the Golden Visa.

There are few requirements to be eligible for the Golden Visa via Purchasing a Property in Dubai:

The property in Dubai must be of at least AED 2 Million. There can be multiple properties under the applicant’s name totalling the threshold amount.
Statement of Account from the Developer or Bank NOC for properties with a mortgage.
The person must be in UAE to apply for the Golden Visa
Spouses can collectively buy one property (marriage certificate attested from MOFA and Legal Translation to Arabic). If the property share is not equal, then the highest one will be the primary visa holder and can sponsor the other person and children.
Title deeds owners can apply for Golden residence visa application if the market value exceeds 2 million (official evaluation certificate is mandatory).
Title deed jointly between partner is acceptable (applicant share should be minimum 2 million).
The applicant’s name in the title deed must be matching with the name in the passport.

Documents Required for Apply Golden Visa in Dubai:

A clear passport copy (Passport valid for more than 6 months).
Current residence visa & Emirates ID (If applicable).
A high-quality applicant digital photo that matches the ICP specification
Applicants from the following countries Must Bring their National ID (IRAN – PAKISTAN – IRAQ – LIBYA – AFGHANISTAN).
Health insurance (from any insurance company in UAE).

Category 2: High-Net Worth Company Investors in the UAE

Business owners and high-net-worth individuals can obtain Golden Visa by investing AED 2 Million into the capital of any company operating in Dubai. They can also set up a new company with a share capital of AED 2 Million.

Similarly, the business owner can submit a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that the business owner pays the government an amount of AED 250,999 annually as VAT; they can be eligible to apply for a Golden Visa in UAE.

Required Documents for Investor to Apply for the Golden Visa in UAE:

Trade License and Partner Page for the Company
1 Year Company Financial Audit Report showing 2 Million Profit shares
License of Auditor and Certificate of Auditor
VAT Certificate
6 Months of Company Bank Statements
6 Months of Personal Bank Statements

Category 3: High-Net Worth Individual with AED 30,000 or more Monthly Income

High-net-worth individuals with a basic monthly salary of AED 30,000 or more can apply for the Golden Visa under the High-Skilled Employment Category. Employees holding the designation of General Managers, Senior Managers, Project Heads, and Managing Directors can apply for the Golden Visa under this category.

Required Documents for High-Net-Worth Individuals to Apply for the Golden Visa in UAE:

Valid Employment Contract
Bachelor Educational Certificate – duly notarized and legalized in the country of origin and attested by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Minimum educational level must be Bachelor’s Degree
Comprehensive Health Insurance
Copies of Clear and coloured Passport Copy and Emirates ID Copy
Salary Certificate
No Objection Certificate from the Employer
Last 6 Months Personal Bank Statements
Passport Size Photo with White Background

Category 4: High-Net-Worth Investor Golden Visa by Fixed Deposit

The High-Net-Worth Investor can open a Fixed Deposit of AED 2 Million in any of the local UAE banks such as First Abu Dhabi (FAB), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), RAK Bank, etc. The FD must be held for at least 2 to 3 years after applying for the Golden Visa.

Required Documents for High-Net-Worth Investors to Apply for the Golden Visa in UAE:

Trade License and Partner Page for the Company
AED 2 Million Deposit Certificate from any UAE Local Bank stating the amount will be retained as a Fixed Deposit for at least two to three years
Ejari/Title Deed for local Residency Proof
Valid & Colored Passport Copy & Emirates ID Copy
Passport Size Photo with White Background
Email and Mobile Number

Highly Specialized Professions and Talents – Other Golden Visa Options in the UAE

Specialized professions and Talents are eligible for a 10-year visa. There is a wide range of professions that are eligible for the long-term visa. Researchers in the field of science and knowledge such as doctors, specialists, and engineers with specific know-how of electronics, computer science, artificial intelligence, big data, etc.; also talents from the creative, culture, and art sectors are invited for long-term visas in UAE.

The specialized talent visa also extends to outstanding students from accredited universities with a GPA of 3.8 or more.

Conditions for 10-Year Gold Visa for Specialized Talents in UAE

Following are the guide lines for qualifying for the 10 year golden visa in the specialist talent category in UAE:

The individual requires a valid employment contract in the respective specialization
The Scientist must be approved by the Emirates Scientists Councillor accredited by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence
Artists and Creative Persons must be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development
Inventors must obtain a patent of value that is approved by the Ministry of Economy
The researcher’s work must be documented and published in top-rated Journals
Doctors & Specialists are required to meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Must have a Ph.D. Degree holder from one of the top 500 universities in the world
- Received Awards or Certificates of Appreciation in the field of work
- Contributed to major scientific research in the respective field
- Published articles or scientific books in distinguished publications in the related field
- Must be a member of an organization related to the field
- A Ph.D. degree, plus 10 years of professional experience in the related field
Specialist in areas of priority to UAE (computer engineering, electronics, programming, electricity, biotechnology, etc.)

Under the specialist talent 10-year Gold Visa, the family (Spouse & Children) is also eligible to be sponsored by the primary applicant. To apply for the 10 Year golden Visa and setting up the project in UAE, the entrepreneur is issued a 6-month multiple entry visa that can be converted to a long-term visa.

Here is the List of Professions Eligible for the 10-year Long Term Visa based on the latest update from the UAE Government.

Our team of Business Setup Consultants will guide you through the complete process of checking the eligibility to apply for the Golden Visa with the right document requirements and support services. For any enquiry relating to Golden Visa in UAE, connect with our expert team right away!

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs) - Golden Visa in UAE

How much is the Cost of the Golden Visa in UAE?

The Five-year visa cost as low as AED 650 and the ten-year visa for AED 1,150. There will also medical insurance and Emirates ID issuance fees as an add-on to this.

Can the UAE Visa Holder stay Outside the Country for More than 6 months?

For the Long Term Visa holders, the general rule of not staying outside UAE for more than 6 months doesn’t apply

Who Can Apply for UAE Long Term Residency Visa (Golden Visa)?

Foreign and UAE based high-net individuals, entrepreneurs, educators, Ph.D. holders, Scientists, Doctors, Professional Talents in Science, art and Creative fields, and more.

Do I have to renew the Golden Visa?

The golden visa renewal peried is 10 years. If you wish to continue your long term visa status, you must meet the criteria during renewals.

What if the Business of the investor Fails?

The UAE Government will take every case specifically during the renewal stage and assess and decide accordingly.

Is there any Age Restriction for the recipient?

There is no age restriction to apply for the Long Term Residence visa in UAE.

How will Aurion Assist You?

Aurion Business Consultants has well-experienced Professional Consultants and PRO Service Agents to assist you with the end-to-end UAE long Term Residence Visa Processing. From Application Preparation to Visa Stamping and beyond, Aurion will be with you assuring you have a hassle-free visa processing experience.

Read our blog Eligibility Criteria for Golden Visa in UAE. Talk to our expert team of business setup consultant right away!