Not born with a silver spoon in your mouth but best mind? No worries, you still can acquire the Golden Visa in the UAE! Gone are the days when the UAE golden visa was for only filthy rich people sitting on the sacks of cash. Today, owners of extraordinary talent can also obtain one. Thanks to the forward-focused government of the UAE that strongly believes that real money is one’s talent! A large number of individuals from the world over have been awarded the Golden Visa in recognition of their exceptional status.
Know UAE Golden Visa & Its Benefits
The UAE, like many countries worldwide, offers a variety of visas and the Golden Visa is the one that doesn’t come easy, TBH! Providing you long-term residency, UAE’s Golden Visa is your golden opportunity to live and work or study in the country for up to a decade while relishing exclusive benefits. Implemented in 2018 across the UAE, the Golden Visa today is more than an up-to-10-years renewable residence visa. The UAE long-term residency visa enables you to:
- Make multiple entries to the country for 6 months regarding residence issuance (at the initial phase)
- Self-sponsor yourself
- Take full ownership of your business ventures on the UAE mainland
- Stay outside the UAE for more than the 6 months without the fear of the residence visa going nullified if the country is not visited at least once within the prescribed time
- Sponsor your family members, including spouse and children, regardless of their ages. The family members are allowed to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration if even after the demise of the primary Golden Visa holder
- Sponsor an unlimited number of domestic helpers
UAE Golden Visa Eligibility
Non-Emiratis or foreign nationals across the globe can obtain long-term residency in the UAE provided they meet certain criteria. To be eligible for the UAE golden visa, one must belong to either of the following categories:
- Wealthy investors (the invested amount in the UAE must be at least AED 2 million)
- Successful entrepreneurs
- People with specialised talents
- Researchers in various fields of science and knowledge
- Extraordinary students and graduates with promising scientific capabilities
- Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes
Golden Visa for Investors in the UAE
Investors can apply for Golden Residency Visa for a period of 5 or 10 years, depending on specific criteria. The visa automatically renews if the same conditions are met.
UAE Golden Visa For Investors
| Eligibility Criteria | Cost | Application Process |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate investors can acquire the UAE Golden Visa if they purchase: 1. Either a property worth at least AED 2 million 2. Or a property with a loan from specific local banks 3. Or one or more off-plan properties having a value no less than AED 2 million from approved local real estate companies | 10-Years ears Golden Visa: Residency fees: AED 2790 ID fees: AED 1070 AED 5-Years Golden Visa: Residency fees AED 2280 ID fees: AED 575 | Via GDRFA-Dubai Smart Application: 1. Register a new user account 2. Select the required service 3. Upload the required documents 4. Pay the fees due for the service 5. Submit the request 6. Keep checking the application status. (a text message + an email will be sent conveying the same) Through Golden Visa Services Providers in Dubai such as Adam Global: 1. Simply get in touch with them 2. Share your requirements and documents as needed 3. Make payments + their service fees 4. And wait for the approval |
Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs in the UAE
An entrepreneur who owns an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk & innovation is eligible to apply for a 5-year Golden Visa in the UAE.
| Eligibility Criteria | Cost | Application Process |
|---|---|---|
| For Golden Visa, entrepreneurs or start-up owners have to fulfil the following conditions: 1. Own or partner in a start-up registered as a small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in the UAE, and the company generates annual revenues of not less than AED 1million 2. Acquire an approval for a start-up idea from an official business incubator or from the Ministry of Economy or other competent local authorities 3. Must have founded an entrepreneurial project that was sold for a total amount of not less than AED seven million | 5-Years Golden Visa: Residency fees AED 2280 ID fees: AED 575 | Via GDRFA-Dubai Smart Application: 1. Register a new user account 2. Select the required service 3. Upload the required documents 4. Pay the fees due for the service 5. Submit the request 6. Keep checking the application status. (a text message + an email will be sent conveying the same) Through Golden Visa Services Providers in Dubai such as Adam Global: 1. Simply get in touch with them 2. Share your requirements and documents as needed 3. Make payments + their service fees 4. And wait for the approval |
Golden Visa for Exceptional Talents in the UAE
Getting a Golden Visa from the UAE is no less than winning a gold medal for your notable talent. Therefore, the long-term residency visa gives a holler to innovative people from all walks of life who can add value to the UAE’s economy with their remarkable talent. The list of eligible golden visa applicants includes inventors, innovators, and exceptional talents in paramount fields such as culture, art, sports and digital technology. These individuals can obtain the UAE Golden Visa regardless of their educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary or professional level on a recommendation or approval from a federal or local government entity. Abu Dhabi offers a 10-year Golden Visa to individuals, worth their salt in their respective fields, in nine categories, including:
- Scientists
- Creatives (Art & Culture)
- Doctors
- Executive Directors
- Educators (in priority fields)
- Innovators
- Sports
- Ph.D. Holders
- Engineers
Golden Visa for Scientists & Professionals in the UAE
Scientists
Upon a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council, foreign scientists and researchers with remarkable achievements and influence in their domain qualify for the UAE Golden Visa. The applicant must possess a Ph.D. or a Master’s degree in one of the disciplines of engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from the best universities on the earth, as well as significant research achievements.
Professionals
The UAE Golden Visa is granted to professionals or highly-skilled workers with high educational qualifications and professional experience in all disciplines, including medicine, sciences and engineering, IT, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences, provided they:
- Have a valid employment contract in the UAE
- Are classified in the 1st or 2nd occupational level in line with the classification of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
- Have a bachelor’s or equivalent degree
- Receive a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000
Golden Visa for Outstanding Students & Graduates in the UAE
High-performing students in the UAE’s secondary schools and outstanding graduates from the UAE’s universities and the best 100 universities across the world can apply for the UAE Golden Visa provided their academic performance/cumulative average and the year of graduation and the university classification matches the criteria set by the Government.
Students who have attained a cumulative score of 95% or higher in their UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) Grade 12 exams can apply for visas for themselves and their families. The scheme includes even the CBSE students who have just received their Grade 12 board exam results. In addition to high school graduates with top grades, the visas will also be provided to university students in and outside the country with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) or at least 3.75 in specific scientific disciplines. Outstanding students and their families qualify to apply for the UAE Golden Visa.
Golden Visa for Humanitarian Pioneers in the UAE
The Golden Visa scheme is basically for experts in miscellaneous fields who can play a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s progress. And humanitarian pioneers are no exception! We are no stranger to the contribution of pioneers of humanitarian work in the UAE and therefore they can rightfully apply for the UAE Golden Visa. By humanitarian pioneers, the country means:
- distinguished members of international and regional organisations
- outstanding members of associations of public benefit
- recipients of recognition awards in humanitarian fields
- distinguished volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian efforts
Golden Visa for Frontline Heroes in the UAE
Frontline warriors with extraordinary efforts in crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can also be granted the UAE Golden visa. The UAE is determined to extend Golden visas to immediate families of fallen frontline heroes. Eligible frontline workers in the country are the individuals working in healthcare facilities as well as on prevention and protection activities. Frontline Heroes Office (FHO) defines eligible frontline workers as:
- Staff at healthcare facilities engaged in the frontline response against the COVID-19 pandemic including doctors, nurses, allied healthcare professionals (lab technicians, respiratory therapists, radiographers), housekeeping, cleaning, waste disposal
- Other exposed staff during the turbulent times such as porters, security, catering, administrative, pharmacists
For Golden Visa Assistance in Dubai, UAE…
Head to Adam Global Dubai, your one-stop-spot for all kinds of business advisory and long-term residency visa services in the UAE, from investor and entrepreneur visas to partner visas and freelancer visas. Our qualified and experienced visa consultants in Dubai are happy to guide you with the easiest and cheapest way to obtain long-term residency in the UAE. To book free consultancy with our Golden Visa specialists in Dubai, click here!
FAQs
Who can get a UAE Golden Visa?
Golden visas can be issued to investors, entrepreneurs, people with specialised talents, scientists, and super brilliant students worldwide. Sometimes senior Emiratis or government bodies nominate people for golden visas, and in other occurrences, people apply online. People investing AED1million to AED 2million in property also have several choices. The spouse and children of the Golden Visa holder also qualify for the Golden Visa.
What is the cost of a golden visa in the UAE?
The Golden Visa costs in the UAE can swing between-
- AED 2,800 and AED 3,800 if applied from inside the country
- AED 3,800 and AED 4,800 if applied from outside the country
Are the Golden Visa benefits specific to individual emirates?
In addition to the standard benefits of the UAE Golden Visa, there are some emirate-specific perks the visa holder can enjoy, for instance:
Golden Visa holders in Abu Dhabi will be entitled to:
- Discounts and offers on cars, property, healthcare, hospitality, health insurance and banking services. Thanks to the Resident’s Office for tying up with companies across various industries to offer the incentives
- Discounts on selected properties from developer Imkan Properties, under the Abu Dhabi Residents Office’s commercial partnerships
- Reduced mortgage fixed-interest rates (real estate investors) and handsome rates on savings accounts (non-real estate investors) from banks, including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Slashed premiums on annual health insurance plans for families and individuals, with diverse network coverage and a bundle of benefits both inside and outside the UAE
- Price reductions on cars and will receive priority booking for new releases, in addition to special payment facilities, maintenance offers and licensing services
- Special offers for dining, spa treatments, gyms and stays at selected hospitality
Golden Visa holders in Dubai automatically becomes eligible to:
- Take a UAE driver’s test without needing extra lessons if they already have a driving licence from their home country
- Receive a UAE driver’s licence if their driver’s licence is issued in any one of 32 approved countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, Qatar, Kuwait and Ireland
Can brilliant students apply for the UAE Golden Visa?
Students who are passed out from top universities worldwide with a GPA of 3.8 and above can obtain a Golden Visa in the UAE. High school students who have attained an average rate of at least 95% in the high school certificate from public or private schools are also eligible. Simply put, outstanding students and high-performing graduates, both inside and outside the country, can avail of the Golden Visa in the UAE if they have:
- Attained a minimum grade of 95% at public and private high schools
- Passed out from universities with a distinction GPA of at least 3.75
What are the criteria for a high school student to meet to be eligible for Abu Dhabi Golden Visa?
Abu Dhabi proposes a 5-year Golden Visa to top-performing students with promising scientific abilities. The High School Student Visa includes visas for parents and dependent siblings. Students are eligible if they meet the below criteria:
- Achieved high grades from a high school in Abu Dhabi
- Have a recommendation from the Ministry of Education
What are the criteria for a university graduate to meet to be eligible for the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa?
Abu Dhabi provides a 10-year Golden Visa to highly-qualified university graduates if they:
- Are a graduate of an accredited university in Abu Dhabi
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.8
Be informed that the University Graduate Visa allows the holder to sponsor parents, dependent siblings, spouses and children if they have the financial means to do so and are able to arrange accommodation for them.
Does UAE golden visa provide Emirati citizenship?
Golden visas provide long-term UAE residency, not UAE citizenship. Only individuals nominated by the Government or Royal Court officials can be granted the latter.
What are the UAE Golden Visa eligibility criteria for doctors under the Humanitarian Aid Workers category?
All doctors (between July 2021 and September 2022) licensed by the UAE health regulatory bodies can apply for the Golden Visa.
Are Ph.D. degree holders eligible for UAE Golden Visa?
Professionals with a Ph.D. can apply for the UAE Golden Visa under the law.
What are the UAE Golden Visa eligibility criteria for Executive Directors?
Executive directors who hold a certified degree from the university, a minimum salary of AED 50,000, and a minimum of 5 years of work experience can apply for the Golden Visa in the UAE.
Engineers from which field can apply for the UAE Golden Visa?
Under the Golden Visa System of the UAE, foreign engineers from a wide range of domains can easily get a 10-year visa. The category includes:
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Epidemiology and Virology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Big Data
- Genetic Engineering
- Biotechnology Engineering
