Golden Visa
10-year UAE residency with no employer or sponsor required. Open to investors (AED 2M+), top talent, exceptional students, scientists and professionals. Family included.
What Is the Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year long-term residency introduced in 2019 to attract top global talent and capital. Unlike standard visas, it does not require an employer or company sponsor — you sponsor yourself. The visa survives 180+ day absences from the UAE, includes unlimited family sponsorship regardless of salary, and grants premium government services.
Golden Visa suits high-net-worth investors, exceptional professionals (doctors, scientists, executives), top-tier athletes, distinguished students, and entrepreneurs with proven track records. Compared to the Investor Visa, it offers 5x longer validity but requires meeting one of several specific criteria — investment thresholds, talent endorsements, or qualifying credentials.
Who Can Apply
- Investor track: AED 2M+ investment in UAE property OR UAE-licensed investment fund
- Entrepreneur track: AED 500K+ project endorsed by accredited UAE incubator
- Specialist track: doctors, scientists, engineers with high-value credentials
- Creative track: distinguished talent in culture, arts, athletics
- Executive track: senior executives with AED 50K+/month salary
- Student track: top high-school grads (95%+) or top-100 university (GPA 3.5+)
- Clean criminal record + valid health insurance
Cost Breakdown
Government fees + Insight service fee. No hidden costs.
Estimates only. Final quote depends on dependents, urgency and current government fees. We confirm in writing within 24 hours.
Step-by-step Application
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01
Eligibility assessment
We map your profile to the right Golden Visa track (investor, talent, executive, student) and confirm you meet criteria.
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02
Documentation & endorsements
We collect proof of investment / talent endorsement letters / qualifying credentials. Some tracks require government-body letters.
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03
Nomination submission
Application submitted via ICA portal. Investor track is straightforward; talent track involves the relevant authority review (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, etc.).
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04
Entry permit + status change
Once nominated, entry permit issued in 3-7 days. Status change to Golden Visa.
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05
Medical, biometrics, Emirates ID
Standard medical fitness + biometrics. Emirates ID issued as 5-year card (renewable). Visa stamping is electronic.
What You Need to Provide
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- Passport-size photo with white background
- Entry permit / current UAE visa copy
- Emirates ID (if existing UAE resident)
- Medical fitness test result
- Application form signed by sponsor / self
- Proof of investment (AED 2M+ — property title or fund certificate)
- Endorsement letter from relevant UAE authority (track-specific)
- Educational certificates (legalized) — for talent track
- CV / portfolio — for talent / executive tracks
Golden Visa vs Other UAE Visas
| Visa | Validity | Cost from | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa this visa | 10 years | AED 9,500 | AED 2M+ investors / top talent | |
| Green Visa | 5 years | AED 5,200 | Skilled freelancers / employees | Details |
| Investor Visa | 2-3 years | AED 18,000 | UAE company shareholders | Details |
| Property Investor | 2-3 years | AED 13,000 | AED 750K+ property owners | Details |
Golden Visa — Frequently Asked Questions
There are 6 main tracks: investors (AED 2M+ property or fund), entrepreneurs (AED 500K+ tech project), specialists (doctors/scientists with high credentials), executives (AED 50K+/month salary), creative talent (with endorsement), and top students (95%+ school score or GPA 3.5 at top-100 university). Each track has specific documentation.
No. Unlike standard residency visas which expire if you stay outside the UAE for 180+ days, the Golden Visa survives unlimited absences. You can live abroad and the visa stays valid for the full 10 years, then renews indefinitely.
Yes — unlimited family sponsorship, regardless of your salary. This includes spouse, children of any age (sons until 25, unmarried daughters indefinitely), and parents. Family members get visas matching your 10-year validity.
Depends on your goals. The property is yours either way (you can sell it after holding for 2-3 years and the visa survives if you replace with another qualifying asset). For high-net-worth individuals seeking UAE tax residency, banking access and long-term stability — yes, it's a low-friction path.
15-30 days for investor track (proof of investment is straightforward). 30-60 days for talent / executive tracks because the endorsing authority (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, ICA) reviews credentials. Investment-based tracks are faster.
You can hold an Investor Visa instead — they're separate tracks. You'd cancel the Golden Visa and apply for the Investor Visa via your company. Usually no reason to downgrade though — Golden is strictly better unless you don't qualify anymore.
Apply for Golden Visa
