Get a Golden Visa in the UAE

A UAE Golden Visa is not just a residency status, but a real opportunity to secure your place in one of the most dynamically developing regions of the world. Today, Dubai attracts entrepreneurs, investors, remote professionals and those seeking stability, comfort and international prospects for themselves and their families. A Golden Visa gives the access to a wide range of opportunities: investments, real estate, high-quality medicine, and prestigious education. It is crucial to understand that the process of obtaining a visa includes several mandatory steps and is associated with certain costs, which should be calculated in advance. With proper preparation, the registration is quite fast, especially if you use the support of professional counsellors. In this article we will look at why the Golden Visa is becoming an increasingly popular solution for foreigners choosing the UAE for life and work.

Why Apply for a Golden Visa in Dubai?

Obtaining a Golden Visa in Dubai is a strategic step for those, looking for opportunity to provide themselves and their family with long-term stability and privileged access to the region's opportunities. The main benefit is the granting of an official residence permit in the UAE for up to 10 years, renewable. This gives you the freedom to live, work, invest and study without the need to constantly renew your visa.

Particular attention is drawn to the tax advantages: the UAE has no personal income tax, dividend and capital gains tax. This makes Dubai a financially favourable jurisdiction for international entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.

In addition, the Golden Visa allows you to obtain a residence permit for family members: spouses, children, and in some cases - parents. This solution is suitable for those who consider Dubai as a platform for a comfortable life, a secure future and expansion of their business horizons.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Golden Visa in the UAE

The process of obtaining a UAE Gold Visa is structured but requires careful adherence to all steps. Initially, the applicant must determine the appropriate category: investor, entrepreneur, skilled professional, property owner or outstanding talent.

Next, an application is submitted through the relevant government portal. Depending on the Emirate, this may be ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship), GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai) or MoHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) for employers.

Image caption: MoHRE official website

The first step requires uploading a package of documents: passport, photo, income, investment or qualification certificates, depending on the visa category.

Once pre-approved, the candidate will be granted an entry visa (if outside the UAE) or convert the current status to resident.

The next step is a medical examination and biometric data submission. At this time, personal presence in Dubai may be required.

Upon successful verification, the applicant will receive an Emirates ID and a resident visa for up to 10 years.

For a faster and correct process, it is recommended to use the services of accredited counsellors or register access to an e-channel to track the status of the application.

Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Golden Visa

The Dubai Golden Visa is granted to a limited number of persons who fulfil the set requirements, which vary depending on the category of the applicant.

• Deposit of AED 2,000,000 or more in an accredited fund or company capital of at least AED 2,000,000, no credit facilities.
• Mandatory annual tax payment of at least AED 250,000 per annum.
• Availability of valid health insurance.

• Ownership of a property worth at least AED 2,000,000, with a possible mortgage through a local bank.

• Ownership of a technology or innovation start-up worth AED 500,000 or more.
• Confirmation from an auditor, Emirate relevant authority and an accredited business incubator is required.

Outstanding Talent

Doctors, scientists, artists, inventors and others with some requirements

• For doctors - an endorsement from the Ministry of Health.
• For scientists - recognition from the science authorities.
• For inventors - approval patent from the Ministry of Economy.
• For creatives - endorsement from the Emirates' cultural departments.
• For executives - higher education, ≥ 5 years of experience, salary ≥ AED 50,000.

• School students with ≥ 95% marks and recommendation from the Ministry of Education - visa for 5 years.
• A/B graduates with GPA ≥ 3.5-3.8 (graduation up to 2 years ago) or from a top-100 world ranking - 10-year visa.

UAE Golden Visa: Required Documents

To apply for a UAE Gold Visa, the applicant needs to prepare and submit a full package of documents corresponding to the selected category. The standard list usually includes:

• A copy of a valid passport (validity period of at least 6 months);
• A copy of a current visa or entry stamp (if the applicant is already in the UAE);
• A passport photo on a white background that meets ICP requirements;
• Emirates ID application form;
• Medical insurance valid in the UAE;
• Medical examination certificate (to be obtained from UAE licensed medical centres);
• Proof of income: for employees - salary certificate, for freelancers - contracts and bank statements, for investors - ownership documents or company registration data;
• Bank statement (usually for the last 6 months);
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) - if necessary, e.g. for employees changing visa status;
• For property owners - title deeds, proof of payment and a statement of the current market value of the property.

Depending on the category and Emirate, additional references, letters of recommendation or proof of professional qualifications may be required.

Image caption: ICP official website

Want to learn more about UAE business setup services?

Book a consultation

Golden Visa Cost and Validity

Applying for a Golden Visa in Dubai requires not only careful preparation of documents, but also an understanding of all the associated costs. The final cost of the visa is made up of several mandatory steps and government fees.

Mostly, processing a Golden Visa in the UAE costs between 7,000 and 15,000 AED. This cost includes:

• State application fee - 2,800 to 4,800 AED;
• Medical examination - from 700 to 800 AED;
• Issuance of Emirates ID for 5-10 years - from 1,000 to 1,200 AED;
• Administrative and typing centre services - around 300 to 1,000 AED;
• e-channel services and printing fees - about 150-350 AED;

Additional counselling and support - between 2,000 and 10,000 AED, depending on the complexity and level of support.

The standard validity of the Golden Visa is 5 or 10 years depending on the category. Renewal requires proof of fulfilment of visa conditions (e.g. investment or stable income), medical examination, renewal of Emirates ID and renewal fees, which typically cost 4,000-7,000 AED.

The cost can vary depending on the Emirate, the method of submission and the need for professional support. Many applicants prefer to consult a counsellor to expedite and complete the procedure correctly.

Renewal and Cancellation of a Golden Visa

Renewal of UAE Golden Visa is usually done 30-90 days before the expiry date. It is advisable to apply early to avoid interruptions in residency status. The renewal process needs the next steps:

• Submitting an application through ICP or GDRFA;
• Re-examining the medical examination;
• Renewing Emirates ID;
• Providing up-to-date supporting documents: bank statements, income statements, up-to-date property or business records;
• Payment of government fees similar to the initial processing.

Image caption: Emirates ID

If the visa holder voluntarily cancels the visa (for example, when leaving on a permanent basis or changing visa status), it is necessary to officially close the visa through the migration authorities. In this case, a standard grace period of 30 days applies, during which time a legal stay in the country is allowed in order to finalise matters or apply for a new status.

In case of overstaying the visa or losing the right to extend it (e.g. sale of real estate below the minimum threshold), the resident status is automatically cancelled and the same 30-day grace period applies. After this period, it is considered illegal to be in the UAE and is subject to fines.

Who Should Apply for a Golden Visa?

The UAE Gold Visa is suitable for those, seeking long-term residency status with minimal restrictions and maximum flexibility. It is ideal for:

• Property investors buying properties worth AED 2 million or more;
• Business owners with a proven annual income or investment in the UAE;
• Remote employees and freelancers with an annual income of AED 360,000 or more, working for international companies or on their own;
• Retirees wishing to live in a comfortable and safe country with a developed medical system;
• Highly skilled professionals in priority sectors including medicine, science, engineering and information technology;
• Individuals with recognised achievements in culture, sport, arts or science.

However, the Golden Visa is not the optimal choice for those who plan to be employed by local companies without having their own investment or qualification basis. It may also be redundant if the applicant plans a short-term stay or an active operational activity within the UAE that requires a local licence and employment contract. In such cases, standard work or business visas will be more appropriate and less costly.

Conclusion

The UAE Golden Visa is a unique opportunity to obtain long-term residency status with maximum freedom of movement, tax advantages and access to a stable economy. This type of visa opens the door to property investment, secure accommodation, comfortable infrastructure, high quality medical care and prestigious education for the whole family.

Dubai remains one of the most attractive international destinations due to its political stability, high level of security, lack of personal income tax and status as one of the key financial centres of the world. Flexible processing conditions make it possible to obtain a residence permit quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy.

Although the process of obtaining a Golden Visa involves several steps, with professional support you can avoid mistakes, speed up processing and ensure full compliance with the requirements. Expert support helps you optimise your application package, select the right visa category and communicate effectively with government agencies.

If you think, that Dubai can become your new home or business location, the Golden Visa can be your reliable tool for long-term development. Contact our consultants for a detailed assessment of your situation.