What are UAE Golden Visa Requirements?

The UAE Golden Visa is a new long-term residency visa that allows foreign talent to live, work, or study in the UAE without the need for a sponsor, while enjoying exclusive benefits.

UAE Golden Visa, UAE Golden Visa Requirements, What is UAE Golden Visa — What are UAE Golden Visa Requirements?

What Are UAE’s Golden Visa Benefits?

A 6-month entry visa with multiple entries
A renewable 5- or 10-year residence visa
No need for a sponsor
The ability to stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months without invalidating the visa
The ability to sponsor family members, regardless of their age
The ability to sponsor unlimited domestic helpers
The right for family members to remain in the UAE until the end of their visa duration, even if the primary visa holder passes away

The Golden Visa is available to a variety of eligible individuals, including investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes.

If you are interested in applying for the Golden Visa, please contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or the UAE’s embassies and consulates. For Dubai visas, contact the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD).

Human-written version:

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa for foreign talent. It offers a number of exclusive benefits, including:

A 6-month entry visa with multiple entries
A renewable 5- or 10-year residence visa
No need for a sponsor
The ability to stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months without invalidating the visa
The ability to sponsor family members, regardless of their age
The ability to sponsor unlimited domestic helpers
The right for family members to remain in the UAE until the end of their visa duration, even if the primary visa holder passes away

The Golden Visa is available to a variety of eligible individuals, including investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes.

Additional notes:

The Golden Visa is a highly sought-after visa, as it offers a number of significant advantages over other types of visas.
The application process for the Golden Visa can be complex, so it is important to seek professional advice before applying.
The Golden Visa is a renewable visa, so holders can continue to live and work in the UAE for as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

UAE Golden Visa Requirements

To apply for a Golden Visa in the UAE, you must meet certain requirements, which vary depending on the type of residence you are seeking.

Investors:

You must invest at least AED 2 million in an investment fund accredited in the UAE.
You must have a valid commercial or industrial license and a memorandum of association stating that your capital is not less than AED 2 million.
You must submit a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that you pay the government at least AED 250,000 annually.
You must own the invested capital completely and it must not be a loan.
You must provide proof of medical insurance for yourself and your family (if any).

Real estate investors:

You must own one or more properties worth at least AED 2 million.
You can purchase a property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.

Entrepreneurs:

You must own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk and innovation.
You must have an approval letter from each of the following:
- An auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than AED 500,000.
- The authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature.
- An accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.

Outstanding specialized talent:

Doctors
Scientists
Creative people of culture and art
Inventors
Executives
Specialists in scientific fields
Athletes
Doctoral degree holders and
Specialists in the fields of engineering and science

Furthermore, the subjects relating to engineering and science include:

Epidemiology and viruses
Artificial intelligence
Big data
Computer engineering
Electronic engineering
Software engineering
Electrical engineering
Genetics and biotechnology engineering

If you have an outstanding specialized talent, you may be eligible for a 10-year Golden Visa in the UAE. Here are the requirements for each category:

Doctors and scientists:

A letter of approval from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) to practice medicine (for doctors)
A letter of recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence stating that you have been awarded the Medal of Scientific Excellence (for scientists)

Inventors:

A letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Economy stating that your patent has added value to the UAE economy

Creative people in the fields of culture and art:

A letter of approval from the Department of Culture and Arts in the respective emirate

Executive directors:

A copy of a university degree accredited by the Ministry of Education, with an educational attainment of not less than a bachelor’s degree
A letter of experience of no less than 5 years holding the same position
A salary certificate with a salary of at least AED 50,000
A valid work contract

Athletes:

A letter of recommendation from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils

Specialists in engineering and science:

A copy of a bachelor’s or master’s degree certified by the Ministry of Education and a work contract

Outstanding students:

High school students – If you are a high school student and a national-level topper (with a minimum grade of 95% in public or private secondary school), you may be granted a 5-year Golden Visa without a sponsor, subject to submission of a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment). The duration of the Golden Visa for students is 5 years and may be extended if you are enrolled in one of the majors/colleges in the country that requires a study period of more than five years.
University students – If you are an outstanding university student, you may be granted a 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor, provided that:
- The university is rated either A or B class by the Ministry of Education
- You submit a letter of recommendation from the university or an accredited graduation certificate or an accredited academic record stating that your cumulative GPA is not less than 3.5 for A class universities and 3.8 for B class universities
- It has not been more than 2 years since you graduated

Outstanding students of foreign universities may be granted a 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor, provided that:

The university is rated among the best 100 universities globally according to the rating system recognized by the Ministry of Education
Your cumulative GPA is not less than 3.5
It has not been more than 2 years since you graduated
Your graduation certificate is accredited by the Ministry of Education

Pioneers of humanitarian work:

If you are a pioneer of humanitarian work, you may get a 10-year Golden Visa. You must be one of the following categories to qualify as a pioneer of humanitarian work:

Members and outstanding employees who have worked for international and regional organizations for a minimum of five years
Members and outstanding employees who have worked for civil associations and institutions of public interest for a minimum of five years
Individuals who have received an appreciation award from a local, regional or international organization that focuses on humanitarian work
Funders of humanitarian work provided that the value of the support does not fall below two million UAE dirhams or its equivalent

Frontline heroes:

Frontline heroes who displayed extraordinary effort in crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may also get the Golden Visa with a recommendation from a competent authority. Frontline heroes include nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists and other cadres approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.

If you meet the requirements for any of these categories, you can apply for a Golden Visa online through the official UAE government website.

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