UAE Golden Visa: How to Apply? What are the Benefits?

UAE Golden Visas are among the most sought-after documents.

In essence, it’s your ticket to long-term residency in Dubai – and it’s not as difficult as you might think.

Originally, the visa was granted to residents who contributed greatly to the country, were highly skilled in certain fields, or worked in key industries.

In recent years, the process has become a lot more open, so you may find yourself eligible without even knowing it.

The minimum down payment required for property investors to apply for the golden visa was eliminated this year as well.

The salary rules have been tweaked slightly, affecting eligibility for scientists and other high-end professionals.

Here is your essential guide to the golden visa, including instructions on how to apply and the benefits that come with it.

What is a UAE golden visa?

UAE golden visa holders have residency rights for five to ten years. Residency isn’t tied to a particular employer and doesn’t have to be renewed every two to three years.

Expats can live, work, study, and own 100 percent of their businesses on the UAE’s mainland with UAE golden visas, without a national sponsor.

Who can apply for the golden visa?

A golden residence visa is now available to more individuals thanks to changes announced under the UAE Residence and Entry Scheme in 2022.

Investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and professionals, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes can apply.

Below are more details about each category:

1. Investors

Do you own a home in the UAE? A UAE golden visa can be obtained by real estate investors who purchase a property worth at least Dhs2 million.

Investors can apply for the golden visa if they own a property worth Dhs2 million or more, regardless of whether it’s off-plan, completed, or mortgaged. The visa application does not require a minimum down payment.

In addition, you may qualify for a golden visa if you have made significant public investments, such as investing at least Dhs2 million in a company’s capital if you’re a partner in a company’s capital, or if you have a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating you either pay Dhs250,000 annually in taxes or that you’re a partner in an establishment that pays Dhs250,000 in taxes.

UAE golden visas are also available on some banks’ websites if you deposit Dhs2 million with them.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Ajman Bank, Al Maryah Community Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and RAKBank are among these banks.

2. Entrepreneurs

If one or more of the following conditions are met, real estate entrepreneurs can apply for and obtain a UAE golden visa:

• An applicant must be a partner or owner of a start-up company registered in the UAE as a small and medium enterprise (SME). There must be a minimum revenue of Dhs1 million generated by the company every year.
• An official business incubator has approved the applicant’s start-up.
• There must have been a successful entrepreneurial project sold for more than Dhs 7million by the entrepreneur.

3. Exceptional talents

Regardless of their educational qualifications, employment status, monthly salary or professional level, people with exceptional talents, such as inventors, innovators, and those in vital fields such as culture, art, sports, and digital technology, can apply for and obtain UAE golden visas.

Dubai plans to boost its economy with investments in the gaming sector by 2033, increasing its GDP by Dhs3.6 billion. Learn more about how you could qualify for a golden visa here if you’re a gamer.

It is necessary to obtain a recommendation or approval from a local or federal government agency. There are many people who can benefit from this, including doctors, athletes, inventors, and artists.

4. Scientists

The Emirates Scientists Council can recommend scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field for a golden visa.

Potential golden visa candidates must have a PhD or Master’s degree in engineering, technology, life sciences, and natural sciences from the best universities in the world, as well as substantial research achievements.

Scientists and specialists at the presidential or CEO level or business and management professionals in a company may also be eligible for the golden visa if they can prove they are classified as skilled labor in the first or second professional level approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization.

Also, the applicant must have a monthly salary of at least Dhs30,000. Salaries in the UAE are typically divided into basic salary and allowances. Prior to this, you would have been eligible if these two figures added up to Dhs30,000 per month. Due to a recent change, this is no longer the case and you must now earn at least Dhs30,000 per month to qualify.

5. Professionals

The golden visa is also available to professionals with high educational qualifications and professional experience. Medicine, science and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture, and social sciences all fall under this category.

As per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the applicant must have a UAE employment contract and be classified at the first or second occupational level. Additionally, the applicant must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and a salary of at least Dhs30,000 (per month).

Salaries in the UAE are typically divided into basic salary and allowances. A combination of these two figures adding up to Dhs30,000 per month would have qualified you. A recent change has changed this and now you must earn at least Dhs30,000 per month to be eligible.

You can also explore UAE Residence Visa.

6. Outstanding students and graduates

Applicants must be outstanding secondary school students and graduates from UAE universities. Those graduating from the best 100 universities worldwide are also eligible.

The university classification and academic performance/cumulative grade average are among the stipulations.

Golden visas are available to students from top universities worldwide with a GPA of at least 3.5. However, if you’re studying at an accredited university in the UAE, you’ll need a letter from your school specifying your GPA.

It is also open to high school students from public or private schools who have achieved at least 95 percent in their high school diplomas. The student’s families will also be included in the visa.

7. Humanitarian pioneers

In order to qualify for a golden visa, a humanitarian pioneer must meet a number of criteria, ranging from being an outstanding employee in a humanitarian organization to volunteering in humanitarian organizations.

The following may qualify you for a golden visa if they apply to your humanitarian work:

• Over the past five years, you have worked in international or regional organizations.
• Having received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international humanitarian organization is a great honor.
• There has been at least Dhs2 million invested in humanitarian work by you.
• A relevant university degree and other requirements imposed by a ministry or authority have been met.
• During the last five years, you have been a member or employee of a civil association or institution of public interest.
• You are an outstanding humanitarian volunteer with at least five years of service or 500 hours of volunteer work.
• A minister has nominated you as a humanitarian pioneer.

8. Frontline heroes

In exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers may also apply for the UAE golden visa.

How do I apply for a UAE golden visa?

If you belong to one of the categories above, you must apply for a Special category passport. In addition, the application process is very straightforward and requires little effort. Furthermore, it takes about one month for your nomination to be approved and another two weeks for your golden visa to be processed.

The following steps will guide you through the process of applying for a UAE platinum permit:

Step 1: Visit ICA Website

Click here to visit the Federal Authority for Identification and Citizenship (ICA) website: Golden Visa Services.

Step 2: Choose your Category

Apply by choosing your category from the following menu if you do not have a nomination in any of the categories mentioned above:

• Visa to Finalize the Procedures of Golden Residency
• Nomination Request For Golden Residence – New Request
• Graduates Of Accredited Universities Outside UAE – New Form
• Graduates Of Accredited Universities In UAE – New Issue
• High School’s Top Ranked Students In UAE – Latest Edition
• Investor In Public Investments – Make a New Issue 
• Investor In Real Estate – New Issues 
• Entrepreneur – Now! 
• Persons Who Are Talented Pioneers – Begin new initiatives
• Frontline Heroes – New Edition

Step 3: Start Service

By clicking the Start Service button after selecting your preferred category, you will be able to apply for the service. 

Step 4: Applicant Information

Under the applicant information tab, you must provide the following information: 

• Applicant English Name
• Applicant Arabic Name
• Mobile Number
• Email
• Preferred Language 

Note: Please fill out all fields accurately, including occupation, mother’s name, phone number, and email address.

Step 5: Request Reason

Choose the best reason for your Golden Visa application request from the drop-down menu. The application may be rejected if it is not relevant.

Step 6: Service Beneficiary Details

The following details must be provided along with the Unified number:

• Choose Identifier:  Unified No. OR  File Number
• Unified No.
• Issuance department

Step 7: Personal Information

Make sure all your details are entered accurately:

• Name (English)
• Name (Arabic)
• Current Nationality
• Previous Nationality
• Occupation 
• Gender
• Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
• Country of Birth
• English City Of Birth
• Arabic City Of Birth
• Passport Number
• Passport Type
• Passport Issue Place (English)
• Passport Issue Place (Arabic)
• Passport Country of Issue
• Passport Date of Issue (DD/MM/YYYY)
• Passport Expiry Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
• Religion
• Faith
• Marital Status
• Qualification
• Mother Name (English)
• Mother Name (Arabic)
• Visit Reason
• Email 

Step 8: UAE Address Details

Please provide the following information about your inside country address:

• Emirate
• City
• Area
• Detailed Address
• Building / Hotel
• P.O. BOX
• Residence Tel – 00971 – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
• Office Tel – 00971 – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
• Mobile Number 

Step 9: Outside UAE Details

Please provide the following information if you reside outside the United Arab Emirates:

• Permanent Country
• Detailed Address Outside Emirates 
• Permanent Mobile Number 

Step 10: Verify Applicant

Verify the applicant by checking the captcha box, clicking Next, and providing the requested information, including: 

• Attachments Info
• Review Application
• Application Fees

What benefits and perks do I get with the golden visa?

With a golden visa, you won’t just benefit from long-term residency.

A number of benefits and perks are not currently available to holders of standard UAE residency visas.

There are a total of the following benefits:

1. Extended residency rights

A UAE resident visa is valid for up to ten years for those with golden residency, while a standard residency visa needs to be renewed every two to three years.

2. Self-sponsored work or stay

Holders of UAE golden visas can continue living, working, and studying in the country for the duration of their visas, with or without gaining employment locally or elsewhere. Without individual sponsorship, the holder can work for themselves or another company (local or otherwise). UAE golden visa holders are allowed to remain in the country without employment for a long period of time.

3. Ability to sponsor family and unlimited domestic helpers

UAE golden visa holders can sponsor their family members, including spouses and children (regardless of their age).

In the event that the main holder of the UAE golden visa passes away during the ten-year term of the visa, their family members are permitted to stay in the UAE until the natural expiration of the visa.

This type of visa allows holders to employ and support an unlimited number of domestic helpers. UAE golden visas do not limit the number of employees and sponsors.

4. Extended time outside the UAE

UAE golden visa holders can spend extended periods outside the UAE without losing their eligibility or validity.

Upon spending more than six months outside of the jurisdiction, your residents’ visa would be revoked.

5. Exclusive healthcare packages

Late in July, it was announced that UAE golden visa holders would be eligible for special health care and health insurance packages. The exclusive health insurance plans start at just under Dhs2,400. A claim up to Dh20,000,000.000 will be covered by the plans. The plan offers three levels of coverage: Core Silver, Enhanced Gold, and Premier.

These health insurance plans will be available to any UAE golden visa holder and their dependents who do not currently have health insurance.

How long does the UAE golden visa last and can it be renewed?

The golden visa lasts between five and ten years, as you probably already know. Residence holders can renew their visas as long as they meet the original requirements.

UAE Golden Visa Application Status Check 

For checking special permit applications, the Federal Authority for Identification and Citizenship (ICA) offers smart services from the comfort of your home. You no longer need to visit immigration offices and wait in long lines to check your processing status. Here’s how you can do it: 

Step 1: Golden Ticket Tracking

Click this link to track your Golden Visa application by the Federal Authority for Identification and Citizenship (ICA): Golden Application tracking.

Step 2: Enter Details

Provide the following information under the Application Tracking Section: 

• Search By – Email Request  OR Submission Date
• Request Number 
• Email

Step 3: Tap Search

The captcha box must now be marked and the Search button clicked.

Step 4: Application Status 

If you click the search button, you will see the status of your application, which may be accepted or rejected.

To verify your UAE visa validity and track your application, you can also use the Check Visa Status service.

Many individuals endeavor for the privilege of obtaining a UAE Golden Visa. In addition, it is a long-term residence permit that is granted to exceptional individuals, including students, inventors, scientists, physicians, and foreign investors. Nevertheless, platinum certificate applications for each category necessitate that applicants satisfy specific criteria. 

Likewise, if you satisfy the defined parameters, you can apply through the ICP website or mobile app or call the helpline. Additionally, visitors are permitted to remain for a maximum of five or ten years, contingent upon their status. Likewise, the average investment cost for investors in the UAE is AED 2M. Simultaneously, students who earn a 3.5 CGPA from A-category universities are eligible for a unique passport. 

Additionally, gold card holders are not required to have sponsors; they may sponsor their families. We hope that your application for Golden Citizenship is successful.