Seeking long-term residency in the pro-business, culture-rich, and ultra-modern environment of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?
Designed to attract the best of the best, from high-net-worth (HNW) individuals to outstanding humanitarian pioneers, a sought-after Golden visa offers a range of exclusive benefits.
In this comprehensive guide, we outline exactly how to get a Golden visa in the UAE – clear, simple, and straight to the point.
Covered in this guide
- What is the UAE Golden visa?
- Who can apply for a UAE Golden visa
- The benefits of obtaining a Golden visa in the UAE
- The requirements to obtain a UAE Golden visa
- Is it difficult to get the UAE Golden visa?
- The Golden visa application process
- The cost of applying for a UAE Golden visa
- How long it takes to get a Golden visa in the UAE
- Golden visa FAQS
What is the UAE Golden visa?
Launched in 2019, the UAE Golden visa is a type of self-sponsored extended visa that permits residency for 10 years.
Designed for high-net-worth individuals and, following recent eligibility expansion, nominated individuals with outstanding specialised talents.
Who can apply for a UAE Golden visa?
To be eligible to apply for the Golden visa with our team’s expert advice and international relocation services, you must take one of three routes:
- Professional – Living and working in the UAE for the same company for two years
- Property – Property value must be AED 2 million (approximately £399,100) or more per person. For a couple to qualify, their jointly owned property must have a value of at least AED 4 million.
- Fixed deposit – AED 2 million in fixed deposit with a local bank
Once granted, the Golden visa provides long-term residency in the UAE.
It enables the holder to sponsor dependents and an unlimited number of domestic workers, and allows for up to 12 consecutive months outside the country without impacting visa validity.
However, the eligibility criteria can vary significantly depending on the emirate and the specific visa category you choose.
Unsure how Dubai and Abu Dhabi differ in their Golden visa requirements?
The international relocation experts at EER Middle East have in-depth knowledge of the processes across all emirates.
We’ll help you navigate the distinctions, clarify each category, and guide you in choosing the most suitable residency pathway for your circumstances.
What are the benefits of obtaining a Golden visa in the UAE?
The UAE’s Golden visa programme offers a series of exclusive benefits for thousands of eligible foreign expatriates, including:
- It’s renewable and long-term, lasting 10 years
- No sponsorship requirement (unlike the employer-sponsored standard work visa)
- Offers full sponsorship of spouses and children
- Unlimited sponsorship of domestic staff
- External travel is permitted for up to 12 consecutive months while retaining visa validity
- Family members retain permit privileges in the event of the primary holder’s death
What are the requirements to obtain a UAE Golden visa?
To be considered for a UAE Golden visa, all applicants must:
- Pass background and due diligence checks
- Have a clean criminal record
- Possess a valid passport
- Pass a medical fitness test
However, the requirements for a UAE Golden visa vary depending on an applicant’s chosen pathway of residency, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that Golden visa holders are appropriately qualified to contribute to the growth of the country.
For more information on your chosen Golden visa pathway, or to request a tailored assessment, speak to our helpful team today.
Is it difficult to get the UAE Golden visa?
Obtaining a UAE Golden visa can be harder for some applicants, due to the:
Eligibility requirements
The UAE’s stringent Golden visa eligibility requirements can be personal and company related.
For example, if you’ve experienced past court cases or have unresolved legal issues, you may encounter obstacles securing a Golden visa.
EER Middle East provides on-the-ground advice that you simply can’t find online, ensuring you’re always aware of any potentially challenging qualifying criteria.
Potential challenges with gathering proof
Some Golden visa pathways, such as being an individual with an outstanding specialised talent in a specific field, can also be more challenging and time-consuming to navigate.
Often, this is because it involves seeking endorsements or letters of support from international organisations.
Any educational documents must also go through a process called attestation – at the end of this process, the documents are translated into Arabic.
Time-consuming process
Depending on your chosen pathway, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to obtain a Golden visa.
If you have limited availability to handle this process, specialised law firms and immigration and international relocation experts, like the team at EER Middle East, may be able to help.
Using our tailored assessments, we’ll evaluate both your personal and financial circumstances to suggest the most suitable route to being granted a Golden visa.
The Golden visa application process
-
Determine eligibility
The first step is to ensure you meet the specific eligibility criteria for the Golden visa pathway you’re applying for. For example, if you’re a real estate investor, you must have properties worth AED 2 million.
You can confirm your UAE visa eligibility here.
-
Apply for an entry permit
A self-sponsored visa, Golden visa applicants must apply online either through the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship (ICP) website or the GDRFA portal if you’re in Dubai.
Alternatively, trusted agents, such as EER Middle East, can apply on your behalf.
You’ll also need to apply for an entry permit (known as an eVisa) to legally enter the UAE and finish the application process.
-
Gather the relevant documents
Depending on the type of Golden visa pathway, you may need:
- A passport (valid for at least six months from the date of arrival)
- A coloured passport-size photo with white background
- Proof of investment
- Housing lease contract (certified) or proof of owning a residence
- Proof of income or financial stability
- Academic certificates
- A medical fitness certificate
- Proof of English proficiency
- Entry permit
- Emirates ID Application receipt
- Medical insurance or health card
-
Pass the medical fitness test
Every Golden visa applicant aged 18 and above must undergo a mandatory medical examination at an authorised medical centre in the UAE.
Used to assess their health and fitness, they must be free from all forms of contagious diseases, including HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C.
After successfully passing these tests, the applicant will receive a Medical Fitness Certificate (MFC) to prove their good health.
-
Finish the application
Once you’ve finished the visa application and the necessary background checks have been completed, you’ll need to supply biometrics at a designated centre to receive your Emirates ID Card – a mandatory identification card for all citizens and residents of the UAE.
-
Receive the visa
After the application has been officially approved, the Golden visa will be issued and can be collected.
How much does a UAE Golden visa cost?
Golden visa fees can vary depending on a range of factors, such as the emirate you’re relocating to, and your chosen Golden visa route.
For example, EER Middle East estimates AED 10,500 in government fees if you apply via the property pathway, but just AED 5,000 in government fees if you apply for the Golden visa using the fixed deposit or professional route.
When weighing up costs, you should also take into account our service fee.
Depending on your chosen route to obtaining a Golden visa, our fees vary between AED 6,995 and 9,995 (exclusive of VAT).
However, according to the Government of Dubai Land Department, the estimated fees for a 10-year residency permit for a Golden visa investor are the following:
- Medical examination: AED 700 (approximately £140)
- Emirates ID (10 years): AED 1,153 (around £230)
- Confirmation of residency permit (10 years): AED 2,856.75 (approximately £580)
- Dubai Land Department fees: AED 4,020 (around £810)
- Administrative fees: AED 1,155 (approximately £230)
How long does it take to get a Golden visa in the UAE?
Typically, once all the necessary documents for the Golden visa application have been submitted, the overall processing period is around two to four weeks.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that processing times do vary depending on whether you apply in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with visa processing times often being longer in the latter.
This timeline is also subject to multiple factors, including the completeness of your application and the type of category under which you’re applying.
- Eligibility assessment (2-5 business days)
- Document preparation (1-7 business days)
- Application submission (1-3 business days)
- Background checks (5-10 business days)
- Visa approval and issuance (3-5 business days)
- Residency stamping and Emirates ID (5-7 business days)
How EER Middle East can help
Considering a future in the diverse and business-friendly environment of the UAE?
Don’t hesitate to speak to the relocation experts at EER Middle East about applying for your Golden visa.
Thanks to years of invaluable experience in international relocation, UAE corporate compliance, and immigration, our on-the-ground team can help you to determine whether you’re eligible to apply for this type of sought-after visa.
Whether you can see yourself in the luxurious climes of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, we provide bespoke, comprehensive immigration services that cover everything from booking the entry flights to handling government paperwork and visa applications.
To learn more about the latest Golden visa updates or our tailored relocation and immigration services, simply speak to our professional team today.
Call: +971 (0)4 421 1819
Email: info@eerme.com
Golden visa FAQs
How many Golden visa holders are there in the UAE?
According to data from Tech Nomads, the UAE issued nearly 80,000 (79,617 to be exact) Golden visas by the end of the 2022 – a substantial 30% increase compared to 2021.
How much salary is required for a Golden visa in the UAE?
While there’s no fixed salary requirement to apply for a UAE Golden visa, there are income or asset-related requirements for some Golden visa application pathways. This includes:
- Professional – Living and working in the UAE for the same company for two years
- Property – Property value must be AED 2 million (approximately £399,100) or more per person. For a couple to qualify, their jointly owned property must have a value of at least AED 4 million.
- Fixed deposit – AED 2 million in fixed deposit with a local bank
Can I get Golden visa if I buy property in Dubai?
Yes, buying a property in Dubai can make you eligible for a UAE Golden visa via the property pathway. However, the property’s (or combined properties’) value must be at least AED 2 million.
Can I stay outside UAE with a Golden visa?
One of the key benefits of obtaining a Golden visa is that holders can stay outside of the UAE for up to 12 consecutive months (double the usual period of six months) without risking the validity of their visa.
Does Dubai Golden visa lead to citizenship?
No, the Dubai Golden visa offers long-term residency in the country for 10 years, not citizenship. Citizenship can be obtained via the following routes:
- Descent – The individual must meet various criteria relating to their ancestral routes, such as having a father who is a UAE citizen.
- Naturalisation – The individual must meet certain criteria set by the Emirati National Law, including being fluent in Arabic, a clear criminal record, and having a legal income source.
- Marriage – Foreigners can gain citizenship by marrying a UAE citizen, but they must seek the Court’s approval first and abide by the relevant criteria.
- Exceptional merit – The UAE government can also permit citizenship to those who demonstrate exceptional merit – a more common path for highly-skilled professions, such as doctors, scientists, inventors with a high level of expertise and recognition in their field.
Are there any risks associated with obtaining a UAE Golden visa?
Yes, there can be some risks related to obtaining a UAE Golden visa, such as:
- Financial uncertainty – Golden visa pathways that rely on salary or income requirements can pose a financial risk. If business slows down, the market changes, or property values drop – you could lose not only money, but also your Golden visa eligibility.
- Maintaining eligibility – In accordance with their chosen Golden visa pathway, holders must continue to meet the eligibility requirements (such as maintaining a clean criminal record or retaining property ownership) or risk the visa being revoked or needing renewal under a different category.
- No automatic citizenship – Golden visa holders do not automatically receive UAE citizenship, meaning their visa must still be renewed every 10 years. While other routes to achieving citizenship do exist, they have their own specific requirements.
