Golden Visa Services in the UAE

The UAE Golden Visa is a prestigious long-term residency permit designed to attract and retain investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists, outstanding students, and professionals in key sectors. It is essentially a 10-year, self-sponsored visa that can be renewed upon meeting the eligibility criteria.

If you want to know how to get Golden Visa UAE, it allows you to live and work freely without a local sponsor. Business owners can also have full ownership, which is great for entrepreneurs.

The UAE offers several categories for the Golden Visa, ensuring the program attracts a diverse range of talents and investments. The main types of Golden Visa in UAE are tailored for specific profiles, from seasoned investors to brilliant students.

1. 10-Year Golden Visa

The 10-year Golden Visa is open to:

• Real Estate Investors
• Public Fund / Fixed Deposit Investors
• Entrepreneurs & Startup Investors
• Highly Skilled Professionals & Exceptional Talents
• Outstanding Students & Graduates
• Frontline & Humanitarian Workers

10 Year Golden Visa Requirements (2025):

• Real Estate Investment: Own property worth AED 2 million or more. It can be ready or off-plan, and mortgages are allowed. There is no minimum down payment requirement.
• Public Investment / Fixed Deposit: Deposit AED 2 million in a UAE-regulated public investment fund or fixed deposit account.
• Entrepreneurs / Startups: Own or be a partner in a project or startup valued or funded at AED 500,000+, with endorsement from an approved business incubator.
• Talents & Professionals: Includes doctors, scientists, artists, athletes, and other creatives who have received approvals from relevant UAE authorities (e.g., Ministry of Health, Emirates Council for Scientists).
• Students & Graduates: High-achieving students in secondary/high school or graduates from top-100 global universities or UAE-accredited A/B ranked institutions, meeting specific GPA and graduation date requirements.
• Frontline & Humanitarian Workers: Individuals with over 5 years of service or significant funding contributions in fields like healthcare and humanitarian aid.

2. 5-Year Golden Visa

The 5-year Golden Visa applies to:

• Real Estate Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• High-Performing High School Students

5 Year Golden Visa Requirements (2025):

• Real Estate Investment: Previously, lower investment thresholds (AED 1–2 million) applied, but current rules are now mostly aligned with the AED 2 million requirement used for the 10-year visa.
• Entrepreneurs: Same as the 10-year category—projects or startups worth AED 500,000+ with incubator endorsement.
• Students: Secondary school students achieving 95% or higher in their final exams or equivalent qualifications.

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit designed to retain global talent, investors, and exceptional professionals. It allows you to live, work, and study in the UAE without a local sponsor, and includes extensive benefits such as family sponsorship and flexibility for travel or absence from the UAE.

1. Investors & Entrepreneurs

Investors and entrepreneurs are a cornerstone of the Golden Visa program. Investors can qualify by investing AED 2 million or more in real estate or in a UAE-accredited investment fund

• Real Estate Investors: This is a popular route for those looking to invest in property.
• Public Investors: You can also qualify by investing in a UAE-accredited investment fund. Off-plan purchases may be eligible with just 10% down payment under specific conditions. Investments must be held for at least two years post-visa issuance.
• Entrepreneurs: Founders of successful projects or those with an approved business idea can apply. Entrepreneurs qualify by delivering approved, innovative business projects—often valued at AED 500,000 or greater

2. Skilled Professionals

The UAE seeks to attract top-tier professionals with specialized knowledge and experience. A key Golden Visa requirement is having a valid employment contract and a salary threshold (typically a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000) meets the quota.

• Key Fields: This includes disciplines like science, engineering, information technology, business and administration, medicine, and education.
• Educational Level: A bachelor's degree or its equivalent is typically required.

3. Property Owners

Owning property in the UAE can be your direct ticket to a Golden Visa. This category is a prime opportunity for real estate investors seeking long-term residency.

A minimum property value is set to qualify for this category.

4. Students & Graduates

The UAE is keen on retaining bright young minds. Exceptional students and high-achieving graduates from accredited universities can secure their future in the country with a Golden Visa.

This applies to top students from UAE secondary schools and graduates from UAE-accredited universities, and the world's top 100 universities are eligible. Specific GPA requirements apply when considering applying for the Golden Visa in the UAE for students.

5. Healthcare Workers (Doctors, Nurses)

The UAE highly values its healthcare professionals. Doctors, nurses, and other medical staff are encouraged to apply, especially in light of their critical contributions. The UAE Golden Visa for nurses has specific criteria to facilitate their application.

6. Teachers & Academic Talent

The Golden Visa for teachers program is designed to attract the world's best educators and academic minds. This includes teachers from various educational levels and researchers with significant contributions to their fields.

• Minimum Salary: The UAE Golden Visa salary requirement mandates a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies.

The documents required for the UAE Golden Visa vary by category, but being well-prepared helps ensure a smooth application process.

1. General Documents (Required for All Applicants)

• Passport copy with at least six months' validity.
• Passport-size photo, white background and recent.
• Current UAE visa or entry permit (if you’re already residing in the UAE) or documents enabling entry if applying from abroad.
• Emirates ID copy, if already issued.
• Medical fitness certificate from a UAE-approved medical center (including communicable disease screening.
• Health insurance policy valid in the UAE for applicant and dependents where applicable.
• Police clearance or good conduct certificate from your home country and/or UAE.
• Proof of family relationships (e.g., marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates) if sponsoring dependents.
• Attestation/translation of all foreign-issued documents by UAE-recognized authorities, and translation into Arabic if required.

2. Investor Categories

Public Investment (10-year Golden Visa):

• Letter from a UAE-accredited investment fund confirming AED 2 million deposit, or
• Commercial/industrial license + Memorandum of Association showing AED 2 million capital, or
• FTA letter confirming AED 250,000 annual tax payments.
• Proof of full ownership, medical insurance, and supporting documents like bank statements.

Real Estate Investor (5-year Golden Visa):

• Land Department letter confirming property ownership worth at least AED 2 million (or financed via approved bank loan), plus medical insurance.

3. Entrepreneurs (5-year Golden Visa)

• Auditor’s letter confirming project value ≥ AED 500,000.
• Approval from a relevant UAE authority affirming technical or future-oriented innovation.
• Letter from an accredited UAE business incubator.
• Business plan, trade license, and proof of funding (if available).

4. Skilled Professionals & Specialized Talent (10-year Golden Visa)

Depending on the profession (e.g., executives, doctors, scientists, artists):

• Executive Directors: Accredited degree, ≥ 5 years in role, salary certificate (AED 50,000+), valid UAE work contract.
• Doctors: License approval from the UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention.
• Scientists: Recommendation from Emirates Scientists Council or certificate of Scientific Excellence.
• Inventors: Letter from Ministry of Economy confirming the patent’s economic value.
• Creative Professionals: Approval from Ministry of Culture/Arts and portfolio, media coverage or awards.
• Athletes: Recommendation from General Sports Authority.
• Engineering/Science Specialists: Accredited degrees, valid work contract.

5. Outstanding Students & Graduates

• High School Toppers (Nationals): Recommendation letter, ≥ 95% marks.
• University Students:
  • UAE-based universities (A or B ranked): GPA 3.5+ and recommendation letter, graduated within last two years.
  • Foreign universities (Top-100 globally): GPA 3.5+, accredited certificate, recent graduate.

6. Humanitarian Pioneers & Frontline Heroes

• Proof of ≥ 5 years’ involvement in humanitarian initiatives, recognized awards, or funding ≥ AED 2 million.
• Frontline workers need a recommendation from the UAE’s relevant office or authority.

The application process for getting  the Golden Visa is a multi-step procedure that requires careful attention to detail. While the specifics can vary slightly between emirates and application channels, the general workflow is as follows:

Step 1: Eligibility Assessment and Document Preparation

This is the most critical and often the most time-consuming phase. First, the applicant must accurately determine the visa category for which they are eligible (refer to the “Who is Eligible for a Golden Visa” section above). Once the category is identified, all required documents must be gathered.

For professionals with foreign degrees, this involves a multi-stage attestation process: certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the home country, followed by attestation at the UAE embassy in that country, and finally, attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) upon arrival in the UAE. This process alone can take several weeks.

Step 2: Choose an Application Channel

Applicants have several options for submitting their nomination request. Online submission is encouraged via:

• ICP Smart Services (federal portal)
• GDRFA Dubai (for applications within Dubai)
• TAMM Portal (Abu Dhabi)

Step 3: Submit the Application and Pay Fees

The applicant must fill out the "Golden Visa Nomination Request" form, either online or at a service center. All prepared documents must be uploaded or submitted in the correct format. Upon submission, the applicant will be directed to pay the required government fees.

Step 4: Medical Fitness Test

Authorities review your documents, eligibility, and conduct background checks. Processing times vary—typically 2–6 weeks.

Once the initial nomination request is approved, the applicant will receive a notification to proceed with a mandatory medical fitness test at a government-approved health center. This test typically screens for communicable diseases like tuberculosis and HIV. Expedited or "VIP" services are often available, which can deliver results in a matter of hours.

Step 5: Cancellation of Existing Visa (for current UAE residents)

This step is a crucial prerequisite for those already residing in the UAE on a different visa. The current residency visa must be officially cancelled by the existing sponsor (usually the employer) before the Golden Visa can be processed and stamped. This step is external to the Golden Visa application itself and can sometimes cause delays if not handled promptly by the sponsor.

Step 6: Final Visa Issuance and Emirates ID

After the medical test is passed and the old visa is successfully cancelled, the immigration authorities will grant final approval. The Golden Visa is then issued, often as an electronic visa (e-visa).

The final step involves visiting a service center to have the visa stamped in the passport and to provide biometrics for the new 10-year Emirates ID card, which will be delivered a few days later.

It is vital to understand the legal framework and privileges that come with holding a Golden Visa.

• Legal Status of Golden Visa Holders in the UAE

Golden Visa holders are granted long-term residency, allowing them to live, work, and study in the UAE with full legal rights under this status.

• Sponsorship Rules and Dependents

This is one of the most significant Golden Visa benefits. Holders have enhanced sponsorship capabilities.

• Self-Sponsorship: The visa holder is self-sponsored and not tied to an employer.
• Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor your spouse, children (with no age limit), and parents for the same 10-year duration.
• Support Staff Sponsorship: You are also permitted to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic support staff.

• Work Rights and Employment Laws

The visa offers complete flexibility in employment, empowering holders to pursue their career goals without restrictions.

• Property Ownership Rights

The Golden Visa real estate path is directly linked to property ownership rights. Holders can own property in designated freehold areas across the UAE.

• Compliance Requirements and UAE Immigration Laws

To maintain your visa status, you must continue to abide by all UAE laws and immigration regulations. This includes any reporting or renewal requirements.

• Visa Cancellation and Revocation Policies

Your visa can be canceled if you violate UAE laws or if it is discovered that the visa was obtained through fraudulent information. However, the visa remains valid even if you stay outside the UAE for more than six months.

Costs can be broken down into mandatory government fees and optional service fees.

The processing time is highly variable, ranging from a few days for straightforward cases to several months for more complex applications requiring extensive document verification and attestation.

The Golden Visa is granted for a validity period of either five or ten years, depending on the category of application. A key feature of the program is its renewability, which allows for a continuous, long-term residency.

The procedure for renewal mirrors the initial application process in many respects:

• Submission of Application: The renewal application must be submitted through one of the official channels, such as the ICP or GDRFA websites, or via an AMER center.
• Required Documents: The applicant will need to provide a copy of their valid passport, their current Golden Visa and Emirates ID, and proof of valid medical insurance.

Crucially, they must also resubmit proof of their continued eligibility, such as a current property title deed for an investor or a valid employment contract and salary certificate for a professional.

• Medical Fitness Test: A new medical fitness test at an approved health center is required for renewal.
• Payment of Fees: Renewal fees must be paid. These fees are estimated to range from AED 5,000 to AED 10,000, varying by visa category and service channel.
• Issuance of New Visa: Upon approval, the renewed visa will be stamped in the passport, and a new, updated Emirates ID will be issued for the next term.

The UAE Golden Visa benefits are extensive and can significantly enhance your life and career in the Emirates.

• Long-Term Stability: Enjoy peace of mind with a 10-year renewable residency visa.
• Complete Independence: You are not tied to a national sponsor, giving you greater freedom.
• Unified Family Residency: Secure a stable future for your spouse, children of any age, and parents.
• Full Business Ownership: Own 100% of your business on the UAE mainland.
• Flexibility to Travel: Your visa remains valid even if you stay outside the UAE for more than six months.
• Exclusive Health and Insurance Packages: Access special offers on health coverage and other financial products.

Get started with Safe Ledger today and ensure your UAE Golden Visa application is handled correctly, securely, and positioned for guaranteed approval.