The UAE Golden Visa grants five or ten years of self-sponsored residency — no employer, no local sponsor, and no cancellation for spending long periods outside the country. For founders and senior professionals it removes the dependency between a job or licence and the right to live in the UAE.
Eligibility is category-based rather than discretionary. The task is identifying the route where your evidence is strongest and presenting it in the format the authority expects.
Who qualifies
- Property investors: UAE property with a value at or above AED 2 million, including some mortgaged properties subject to bank confirmation
- Entrepreneurs and company owners: an approved project or a business valuation supported by an accredited auditor and an incubator or authority endorsement
- Specialised talent: doctors, scientists, engineers, IT specialists and other regulated professions with recognised accreditation
- Senior professionals: a valid employment contract, a degree at bachelor level or above, and a monthly salary at or above the published threshold
- Creatives, athletes, outstanding students and top graduates from accredited universities
Five years or ten years?
Property investors and certain entrepreneurs typically receive five years, while specialised talent, investors in public investments and several professional categories receive ten. The visa is renewable for as long as the qualifying condition still exists — a sold property or lapsed accreditation ends eligibility at renewal.
Documents you will need
- Passport valid for at least six months and current UAE visa or entry stamp
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- Title deed and a property valuation certificate (investor route)
- Trade licence, shareholder certificate and audited valuation (entrepreneur route)
- Attested degree certificate and professional accreditation (talent route)
- Salary certificate and employment contract (professional route)
- Six months of bank statements or proof of investment funds
- Existing Emirates ID copy where already issued
The application process
- Eligibility review and selection of the strongest nomination route
- Document collection, attestation and legal translation where required
- Nomination submission to ICP or the relevant Dubai authority
- Nomination approval, typically two to four weeks
- Medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics
- Visa issuance and passport stamping, usually one to two further weeks
Sponsoring your family
A Golden Visa holder can sponsor a spouse, children of any age and domestic workers for the same duration as their own residency. If the primary holder passes away, dependants may remain in the country until the end of the permit period — a meaningful protection compared with employment-linked visas.
Practical benefits beyond residency
- No employer sponsorship and no six-month absence rule
- Ability to own 100% of a mainland business without a local partner in eligible activities
- Stronger position with banks, landlords and school admissions
- Multiple-entry status for family members while the application is processed
الأسئلة الشائعة
How much does the Golden Visa cost?
Government fees generally fall between AED 3,000 and AED 6,000 per applicant including medical and Emirates ID. Property valuation, attestation and processing support are additional.
Does a mortgaged property qualify?
It can. Most authorities accept a mortgaged property where the value meets the AED 2 million threshold and the bank issues a no-objection or outstanding-balance letter.
How long does approval take?
Nomination approval usually takes two to four weeks with a complete file, followed by one to two weeks for medical, Emirates ID and stamping.
Can I apply from outside the UAE?
Yes for the nomination stage in many categories, but you must enter the UAE to complete the medical fitness test and biometrics before the visa is issued.
Will my Golden Visa be cancelled if I live abroad?
No. Unlike a standard residence visa, long-term residency is not cancelled for staying outside the UAE beyond six months.
Can I work for any company on a Golden Visa?
Yes. The visa is self-sponsored, so you may work, change employer or run your own business without transferring sponsorship.
What salary is required for the professional route?
The published threshold is a monthly salary of AED 30,000 or above, together with a valid contract and an attested degree at bachelor level or higher.
Does a Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
No. It is long-term residency. UAE citizenship is granted only by nomination in exceptional cases and is a separate process.