Long-term residency
UAE Golden Visa
Ten-year renewable residency that is not tied to an employer or a sponsor. Available through property, business ownership, specialist talent or salary — each with its own criteria.
Get a fixed quote
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Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109
Which route do you qualify under?
There are several distinct paths to a Golden Visa, and people frequently qualify under one without realising it. The eligibility check is free.
- AED 2 million property value
Property investors
Ownership of one or more UAE properties with a combined value at or above the threshold. Mortgaged properties can qualify subject to conditions from the lender and the land department.
- AED 2 million capital, or an approved startup
Business owners and entrepreneurs
Company owners meeting the capital threshold, or founders of startups approved by an accredited UAE business incubator with the required valuation.
- Sector-specific criteria
Specialist talent
Doctors, scientists, engineers, senior software professionals, and specialists in priority sectors, with accredited qualifications and a qualifying salary.
- AED 30,000 monthly salary
Skilled professionals
Employees at or above the salary threshold, holding at least a bachelor's degree and classified in the first or second occupational level.
- Academic distinction
Outstanding students and graduates
High-performing secondary students and graduates from accredited universities, with the required grade average.
How do I get a Dubai Golden Visa?
There is no open application. The government publishes a fixed set of conditions, and the only question worth answering first is whether you already sit inside one of the named categories. Everything after that is documents, fees and waiting.
Those categories are wider than most people assume — they reach well beyond investors into senior management, academia, medicine, engineering and sport.
Categories the criteria name directly
- Business owners
- CEOs and managing directors
- PhD holders
- Doctors
- Engineers
- Athletes
- Outstanding students
- Property and capital investors
72 hours to 30 days is the approval window once a complete file reaches the authority. Attestation beforehand is what usually sets the real timeline.
Why it's worth having
Beyond the ten-year term, the practical difference is independence: your residency does not depend on an employer or a company you must keep alive.
- Ten-year renewable residency, rather than the standard two
- No local sponsor required — your residency is not tied to an employer
- Sponsor your spouse, children and parents regardless of their age
- Remain outside the UAE for extended periods without losing residency
- Sponsor domestic staff without the usual restrictions
- Family retains residency in the event of the primary holder's death
- No personal income tax on what you earn in the UAE
- 100% ownership of a mainland UAE company, with no local partner
- Full access to UAE banking, investment and healthcare services
- Eligible to apply for a UAE driving licence
Documents you'll need
Which of these apply depends on your route. We confirm the list before you start attesting anything — attestation is slow and expensive to redo.
- Passport copy with at least 6 months validity
- Current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, if you hold them
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- Title deed, for the property investment route
- Trade licence and share certificate, for the business route
- Salary certificate and employment contract, for the professional route
- Attested degree certificates, where the route requires them
- Bank statements evidencing the qualifying investment
- Valid UAE medical insurance
How the application works
Eligibility assessment
1–2 working daysWe confirm which route you qualify under before you spend anything on attestation.
Document collection
1–3 weeksGathering and, where needed, attesting supporting documents.
Nomination or application
3–7 working daysSubmitted to ICP or the relevant emirate authority.
Initial approval
2–4 weeksAuthority reviews the application against the criteria. If you already hold a standard residence visa, it is cancelled at this point so the Golden Visa can be issued in its place.
Medical and Emirates ID
3–7 working daysFitness test and biometric capture.
Visa issuance
5–10 working daysTen-year residency stamped.
Golden Visa questions
Does a Golden Visa let me work anywhere in the UAE?
Yes. Unlike a standard employment visa, the Golden Visa is not tied to a sponsor, so you can work, change employer or run your own business without needing a new visa. It is the main practical advantage beyond the ten-year term.
Can I lose it by living abroad?
The Golden Visa is considerably more forgiving than a standard residence visa on absence from the country. Standard residence visas can lapse after six months outside the UAE; the Golden Visa does not carry that restriction in the same way.
Does a mortgaged property count towards the threshold?
It can, subject to conditions set by the land department and your lender — typically a minimum amount already paid and a no-objection letter from the bank. We check this before you apply, as it is a common reason for rejection.
Can I include my family?
Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouse, children of any age and parents, which is broader than standard residence visa sponsorship. Each family member's visa is aligned to the primary holder's term.
How long does the whole process take?
Typically six to ten weeks from first assessment to a stamped visa. Document attestation is usually the slowest part, particularly if certificates need to be attested in your home country.
Find out if you qualify
A short conversation is enough to establish which route fits and whether it is worth applying. If you do not qualify yet, we will tell you what would change that.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109