Ever thought to move in the UAE for a job or business? If your answer is yes then you should consider the golden opportunity to receive a golden visa in UAE.
UAE has become a hub spot for various business and job opportunities and people from all around the world are currently living in UAE under different visas. But not all visas provide benefits that you can explore to their limit and also share with your family members.
Let’s see what information you will get from this article –
- Definition of UAE Golden Visa
- Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa
- Required Documents for Golden Visa in UAE
- Apply for eligibility for a UAE Golden Visa
- Investor’s Costs for Getting a UAE Golden Visa
- FAQ
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Government launched the Golden Visa skim for international business seekers in 2019. This groundbreaking package offers long-term residency for foreign citizens who wish to stay in the United Arab Emirates for longer time periods.
Conventional visas in the UAE require renewals after a certain period and have restrictions on enjoying various facilities while staying in the UAE. But when it comes to the Golden visa, it can give foreign citizens to live in UAE for up to 10 years continuously and enjoy all the benefits that the local government has to offer.
Indeed there is a list of requirements that individuals need to fulfill before becoming eligible for a golden visa. These criteria get updates and changes frequently, in this article we will try to cover the latest inclusions and describe the benefits of getting a Golden visa for UAE.
The Incredible Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa
UAE Golden Visa offers a lot of special benefits that are not available in other visas for foreigners. These exclusive advantages include longer stay time, better property ownership facilities, tax-related special benefits, and lots more. So if you are considering UAE as your business destination or second home first have a look at these benefits.
1. Up to 10 Years Long-Term Residency Permit
Living in a country with constant renewal of visas can be a huge drawback for people who need to focus on their business and not on these lingual documents. But with a golden visa, this problem can be solved permanently. With proper eligibility and financial conditions, you can receive a 10-year long-term residency permit under UAE golden visa.
Long-term residency permits a non-Emirati individual to explore the country thoroughly, learn local culture, understand people’s demands, and give proper time to expand their business in an organized way. Golden visa of UAE enhances the living standard for visa holders and gives amazing opportunities to integrate them self with local communities and culture.
2. Property Ownership Rights
Temporary residents often face the issue of purchasing property especially when it comes to real estate. Golden visa holders get an advantage on this issue and can easily purchase property in prime locations in the UAE.
Real estate and property is one of the popular investment mediums all over the UAE, especially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc crowded and tourist-oriented places. To get the advantage of general mortgage terms, long-term loans, and more facilities golden visas can really make a difference. Golden visas can influence authorities to make favorable decisions on foreign investor’s side.
3. No Need for Local Sponsor
Sponsors means some sort of tag along with local people who can take responsibilities of others activities in specific places. In UAE local sponsorship for foreigners mostly means partnership in business or some kind of shared investment where local persons are connected. Standard visa owners in the UAE can face this issue. But when you have a Golden Visa in UAE these terms and conditions get significantly simplified and you can easily establish your own business without local sponsors.
This Golden visa facility opens the portal for interested entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world to explore the dynamic market of UAE at max and increase their profit margins.
4. Sponsor Family Members and House Support
Golden visa opens opportunities for family persons and domestic workers too. When you get a golden visa in UAE you can sponsor your whole family and essential workers. Family members list includes spouse and children, in some instances, parents and siblings are also allowed. However, the government will approve the sponsorship after they get convinced that golden visa owners are capable of supporting all of the family members financially and with accommodation.
When it comes to house support, golden visa owners can sponsor their domestic work staff such as housemaids, chefs, bodyguards, drivers, etc whose services are needed for a comfortable family life environment. In this case, golden visa owners need to comply with UAE’s regulatory standard by providing proper accommodation and fair salaries to the sponsored staff.
5. Zero Percent Personal Income Tax
One of the most exciting facilities of a golden visa is zero percent tax paying on personal income. UAE government tax rules facilitate all residents with this special facility where they do not have to pay any tax on earnings from employment, investments, or other personal sources.
When it comes to paying corporate taxes, that is also one of the lowest in the world! It means when you invest your time and money in the UAE by acquiring a golden visa, you will get overall the lowest tax-paying opportunity. This low tax enhances the financial advantage of earning more, investing more, and expanding your business to the next level.
6. Business Opportunities and Employment
Golden visa in UAE not only offers long-term residency benefits, it also offers options to search for jobs and businesses to invest in. It is a huge opportunity for all the skilled, workaholic talented professionals to find out desired work or business. On the other hand, when anyone comes with a specific work visa or business visa in UAE they remain restricted with certain opportunities and can not explore the bigger market.
As a golden visa owner of UAE, you will be able to balance your interests parallelly too! For example, while doing a designated job you can also make investments in various businesses. Most of all there will be no contractual bounds on working or doing certain types of business under the golden visa facility.
7. Multiple Entry Visa
Golden visa owners can visit other countries and return to UAE just as their home country as there are multiple entry opportunities included. Not like limited entry options in some visa categories.
This feature is specifically beneficial for business persons with international lifestyles. Golden visa enables them to fly all over the world, keep ties with home countries, and explore new destinations.
8. Access to World-Class Healthcare Facilities
All the golden visa owners and their families can receive the world-class healthcare facility of UAE. While most of the other visa options in the UAE do not cover healthcare support, the golden visa owners get all the top-notch healthcare facilities that the UAE government offers.
UAE currently offers the world’s top healthcare facility and health insurance options. Other than the permanent citizens of the UAE, the golden visa owners and their families can enjoy these healthcare benefits.
9. Top-Notch Education Opportunities
Education in the UAE has become one of the strongest fields in recent years. Campus, faculty, educational system, facilities for the students everything becomes high class. To get these educational opportunities at most one needs to have a golden visa in UAE.
The educational facility for the golden visa owners themselves and their family members will be applicable. So it will be economically viable and educationally excellent at the same time for all the golden visa owners.
10. Special Privilege Esaad Card
Esaad Privilege card facilitates a certain category of golden visa holders with extra benefits. Golden visa has different categories and facility sets. Those who receive this Essad Card with a golden visa can enjoy special benefits and discounts.
These benefits include discounts in the real estate sector, healthcare and hospitalities, banking and insurance, automotive, and many more. In a single sentence, the Essad Privilege card enhances the value of the golden visa to a new level.
11. Secure Living and Safe Environment
In 2023, the UAE was ranked as the second safest country to live in by Global Finance. Currently, it’s one of the safest and most secure countries around the world. While more than 200 countries people live in UAE, none of the country’s members face any kind of difficulties which makes UAE one of the best destinations of the world.
With a golden visa, a person including their family can enjoy this safe and secure environment for a longer time.
What are the Required Documents for the UAE Golden Visa?
Processing a golden visa is not a difficult task. The UAE government ensures that it remains simple and easy for all foreign citizens. Once you meet the eligibility criteria you just need to prepare the following documents.
If you find it difficult to understand you can always contact us for help.
Basic Documents
- Original Passport: A passport with minimum six months of validity.
- e-Certificate of Title Deed: Proof of property ownership or similar assets.
- Digital Passport-Size Photograph: White background clear passport-size photo.
- UAE ID or Original Emirates ID: If you already have one.
- Current Residence Permit: A copy of the current UAE residence permit (if applicable)
Additional Documents (If you are not a Current Resident)
Depending on your situation and which category you fall in, you might also need the below documents –
- Copy of UAE Tourist Visa with Entry Stamp: Required if you are not holding any UAE resident visa.
- Six Months’ Personal Bank Statements: Clear digital copies ( To show your financial stability and ability to support yourself in the UAE.)
- IBAN (International Bank Account Number) – If needed
- UAE Mobile Number: Your local contact number.
Additional Requirements (If you are a Current Resident)
If you are already residing in Dubai, additional documentation may be necessary to verify your current residence status:
- Documents That Show Current Residence Status: Proof of your current living situation in Dubai.
- Police Clearance Certificate: From your home country or any other country where you have resided in the past few years.
Potential Additional Documents
Based on your specific circumstances you may need some other additional documents. But don’t worry these documents will not be complicated or hard to get.
Who Can Apply for a UAE Golden Visa and Their Requirements?
Any foreign national who is interested in getting a UAE Golden Visa first has to prove their eligibility. Certain categories are declared by the UAE government who can apply for the golden visa which includes different types of investors, professional job holders, and special achievers from certain fields like programming, healthcare, science etc.
But if you did not find your exact category, don’t get demotivated. Contact us and we can verify your eligibility and help you with processing.
1. Investors
Investors in different businesses, including in real estate, can obtain the UAE Golden Visa. The requirements for general and real estate inverters are given below:
A foreign investor can become eligible to apply for a ten-year Golden Visa by satisfying the following requirements:
- 10 Million AED (2,722,600 USD) on Public Investment in UAE: Investing a minimum of AED 10 million(2,722,600 USD) as public investments are required to become eligible for a golden visa.
At least 60% of the total investment has to be in the real estate sector.
- Real Estate Investment Options:
- Purchase property worth at least AED 2 million. (544,500 USD)
- Purchase property using a loan from specific local banks. (List available on the internet)
- Purchase one or more completed or off-plan properties worth at least AED 2 million (544,500 USD) from a list of approved local real estate companies.
- Loan-Free Investment: The investment that the golden visa applicant makes can not be financed with any kind of loan. Other than that the applicant must have the whole ownership of the assets.
- Duration of Investment: The investor should hold the investment for a minimum of three years.
- Business Partners: The investor can extend this visa to business partners too. To achieve this each of thehave to contribute AED 10 million (2,722,600 USD) to the venture.
2. Professionals from Education, Law, Science, IT, and Social Science Sectors
People from different professional fields like education, law, science, information technology, and social sciences can apply for a golden visa.
Professionals need to fulfill the criteria below:
- Contract of Employment: A valid employment contract with any authorized institution situated in the UAE.
- Occupational Classification: Assigned to a job that is mentioned in the occupational level one or two by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- Educational Level: At least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a relevant field (Local or international)
- Salary Requirement: Basic monthly salary minimum of AED 30,000 (USD 8,200).
3. Startup Business Owners and Entrepreneurs from Different fields
The UAE government gives the opportunity to get golden visas for Investors in new businesses and entrepreneurs.
Requirements for this category of visa applicants are:
- General Requirements: The business has to be mentioned under the SME category with a minimum of annual AED 1 million (272,200 USD) revenue.
- Handed Over Project: Become the founder or co-founder of a previous entrepreneurial project that gets sold for a minimum of AED 7 million (USD 1,906,000).
- Approval of the Project or Idea: Projects or ideas that get approval from the Ministry of Economy or local authorities.
For Five-Year Resident Visa:
Individuals need to invest a minimum capital of AED 500,000 (1,36,000 USD) on any on-going project with or receive clearance from an approved business supporting organization.
4. Engineers and Researchers
Engineers from various fields and researchers of different sectors with specialized skills are counted as eligible for a golden visa in the UAE. They can become residents for 10 years and renew their visa if they fulfill the requirements:
- Academic Degree: An attested / authorized copy of the degree from an accredited educational institute (bachelor’s degree or higher) or a letter of equivalency from the Ministry of Education. (Local Ministry of UAE)
- Work Contract: A work contract in one of the following disciplines in UAE:
- Epidemiology and Viruses
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Big Data/ Data Analytics
- Computer Science Engineering and Software Engineering
- Electronics and Electronic Engineering,
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Engineering.
5. Exceptional Talents in Art, Culture, Digital Technology, Sports, etc
The Golden Visa opportunity approves individuals with excellence in areas like art, culture, digital technology, sports, etc.
To become eligible for this category one has to show:
- Exceptional Talent: Prove their exceptional talent which is not based on any educational background, employment status, salary range, or even professional experience.
- Government Recommendation: A recommendation or approval from any federal or local government that clearly mentions the talent.
6. Scientists and Inventors
Individuals who contributed to the field of science and are referred to as scientists can apply for a golden visa. Also, people who invent certain things that are well recognized.
The following criteria are for them to be eligible –
- Educational Background: Doctoral degree holders and Master’s degree holders in various fields of engineering, life science, and technical subjects from the world’s top universities.
- Recommendation: A recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council. (by communicating with them and providing authentication proof)
- Accreditation: Demonstrated significant contributions in specific fields and recognition such as patients, medals, awards, or certificates of praise.
7. Skilled Workers
Skilled professionals from various fields with certain specialties are counted as eligible for golden visas in the UAE. They must have –
- Employment Contract: A valid employment contract with any organization in the UAE.
- Occupational Classification: A designated job that falls under occupational level one or two as defined by the Ministry of Human Resources Emiratisation.
- Salary Requirement: A minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000 (8,200 USD)
- Educational Level: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
8. Humanitarian Pioneers
Golden Visa of UAE is also available to humanitarian pioneers which includes:
- Members of Distinguished Organizations: Members of international organizations whose work is well recognized by the world.
- Outstanding Volunteers: People who get recognized for their dedicated contributions to humanitarian efforts in various fields.
- Sponsors: Sponsors who contributed to significant projects that are recognized internationally.
9. Doctors and Nurses
All the medical practitioners who get licenses from the UAE’s health regulatory bodies can apply for the Golden Visa. Other than that nurses and medical staff who have fought against COVID-19 are also eligible. (this is one of the criteria to be eligible)
Requirements for doctors include:
- Doctoral Degree: From one of the world’s top 500 universities. (The list can be changed with time)
- Professional Experience: Ten years of experience in the field that the applicant mentioned while applying and a Ph.D.
- Recognition: Special recognition awards or honors in their specific field, contribution is research sector, published articles, journals, review papers or books, membership in recognized organizations, etc.
Cost Calculation for Getting a UAE Golden Visa
Ten-Year Golden Visa (AED 2,000,000+ Investment)
To achieve a ten-year UAE residency visa, individuals have to purchase real estate property in the Arab Emirates that is valued at least AED 2,000,000 (approximately $545,000). This purchase has to be at Freehold Zone where foreign investors are eligible to buy real estate assets. There is an option to take money as a mortgage from a certain UAE bank by paying a minimum down payment of 20% for the property.
Amount Breakdown:
- Purchase Real Estate Property: USD 545,000+ / (AED 2,000,000 + )
- Registration Fee: USD 21,800+ / (AED 160,000)
- State Fees for Visa Issuing and ID Card: USD 1,043 / (AED 3,860) per person
- Medical Checkup: USD 220+ per person
- Health Insurance: USD 400+ per person
- Translation of Documents, Notarization, and Consular Legalization: USD 1,000+ per person
Two-Year Visa (AED 750,000+ Investment)
There is another category to apply for a two-year residency visa in the Arab Emirates. To become eligible for this one applicant has to purchase AED 750,000 ($204,000) worth of property in Freehold Zones. As for mortgages here individuals have to pay 50% of the total property value as a down payment and the rest of the money can be received from UAE banks.
An investor can include a spouse and children under 18 in this visa category.
Amount Breakdown:
- Purchase of Real Estate Property: USD 204,000+ / (AED 750,000)
- If Registered for Spouses: USD 272,255+ / (AED 1,000,000)
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa for investors, professionals, entrepreneurs, and other exceptional talents, granting up to 10 years of residency.
2.Can Golden Visa holders sponsor their family members?
Yes, Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouses, children, and in some cases, parents and siblings.
3. How long does it take to process the UAE Golden Visa?
It could take a few weeks at max to process a golden visa in UAE. As for different individuals and categories, it can vary so a certain date is not set.
4. Can professionals from any field apply for a Golden Visa in UAE?
Professionals from certain fields like education, law, science, engineering, IT, healthcare, doctors, scientists, and researchers with a valid employment contract and a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000 can apply for a golden visa in UAE.
5. Is the Golden Visa renewable?
Yes, you can renew your Golden Visa by meeting the initial eligibility criteria and requirements once the validity is over for the previous one.
Final Words
The UAE Golden Visa offers a huge volume of benefits that no other country is offering currently. Offers like ten years of residency without renewal, zero percent tax rate on income, owning property, 100% foreign-owned business, and facilities for family members are the most attractive ones. Though it may seem like there are lots of formalities included with this golden visa, but once you get determined about achieving one, you can have your own way.
Many organizations dedicatedly work to help individuals like you to help to achieve a golden visa. So make your mindset and start the journey for the UAE golden visa.