United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden Visa Programme

There are several key advantages for those applying to the UAE Golden Visa Programme*, including:

• The right to live in any of the seven emirates of the UAE.
• Receive an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance.
• Receive a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five or ten years.
• No sponsorship requirement.
• Minimal residency requirement.
• Ability to sponsor family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages.
• Ability to sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers.
• Family members may stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration if the primary holder of the Golden Visa passes away.

• Aged 21 or over
• Sufficient funds to make the investment
• Documentation to prove that all investment capital is legally sourced
• Health insurance that covers you in UAE
• Clean criminal record

Requirements for the Golden visa depend on the type of residence, whether investor, talent, entrepreneur, etc.

Investors in public investments

If you invest in an investment fund, you may be granted a Golden Visa for a period of ten years without a sponsor, subject to the:

1. submission of a letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that the investor has a deposit of AED2 million, or
2. submission of a valid commercial licence or industrial licence and a memorandum of association stating that the investor’s capital is not less than AED2 million
3. submission of a letter from Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the Government no less than AED250,000 annually.
   
   

Additionally, you must:

1. own the invested capital completely; it must not be a loan and
2. provide proof of medical insurance for himself and his family (if any).

Real estate investors

If you own a property or a group of properties, you may be granted a Golden Visa for a period of 5 years, renewable on the same conditions and without a sponsor subject to the:

1. provision of a letter from the land department of the respective emirate stating that he owns one or more properties whose value is not less than AED2 million
2. purchase of a property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.

Entrepreneurs

If you are an entrepreneur, you may get a Golden Visa for a period of 5 years if you own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk and innovation. In addition, you must have an approval letter from each of the following:

1. an auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than AED500,000
2. the authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature
3. an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.

Outstanding specialised talents

If you have an outstanding specialised talent, you may get a Golden visa for ten years.

Outstanding specialised talents include:

• 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.

Path to Citizenship

There is no standardised path to citizenship through the UAE Golden Visa Programme. The only possibility is through allowance of citizenship by discretion through the Nationality Act, which needs to come from the rulers of the United Arab Emirates.

Step 1: Choose an Investment:
One of the most significant steps is to determine the investment path, whether you will make a direct investment in public investments, real estate or apply as an entrepreneur.

Step 2: Invest the Funds:
Make the required capital investment amount based on the investment route chosen.

Step 3: Source of Funds Verification:
Prepare documentation to prove that the investment funds were obtained through lawful means such as employment, business ownership, investments, inheritance, gift, etc.

Step 4: Application Form:
Applications must be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents.

Step 5: Due Diligence and payment of service fees.

Step 6: Application Submission.

Step 7: Initial Approval:
Pending initial approval of the application, the successful applicant receives a six-month multiple-entry visa.

Step 8: Complete the Golden Residency Procedures:
Applicants must travel to the UAE and apply for an ID card and undergo a medical check.

Step 9: Final Approval:
Once final approval is granted, successful applicants receive the residence visa.

The processing time for the residence application takes over eight weeks.

Who is eligible to apply?

Investors wishing to apply for the must possess sufficient funds to make the investment as well as have the documentation to prove that all investment capital is legally sourced. They should also have a clean criminal record.

Which family members can I include in my application?

Applicants may sponsor their family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages as well as an unlimited number of domestic helpers.

Is there a physical presence requirement?

Yes, during the application process, applicants are required to travel to the UAE to apply for an ID card and undergo a medical check. Once the application is successful and applicants have received their residency, residing outside the UAE will not nullify the visa.

How long does the application take to process?

The processing time for the residence application takes approximately eight weeks.

What is the duration of the residence permit?

Successful applicants receive a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five or ten years.

Is this programme for me?

The following persons may be a good fit for the programme:

• Businesspersons and entrepreneurs seeking to locate their business interests in the UAE.
• Individuals seeking to invest in the Arabian Gulf.
• Extended families seeking to obtain a residence permit.