How to Get a Golden Visa in the UAE? A Complete Breakdown

The program for the Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is still an attraction for global talent interested in long-term residency for investors, professionals, and gifted people. Originally, more confined to only high-net-worth investors, the program has relaxed and subsequently expanded its reach to others from a large pool of professions and talent over time. This guide covers the very essence of the UAE Golden Visa, updated for the year of 2025, for your application guidance.

1. What is the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden visa refers to a longer offshore residency visa that permits a foreigner to stay, work, or even study in the UAE without any requirement for the services of a national sponsor. Such a visa is prohibited for a period of five to ten years, depending on the type that the holder has applied for. However, issuance of this visa is indefinite as long as the holder continues to fulfill the eligibility criteria. The policy seeks to attract and retain global investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, scientists, outstanding students, and other talented individuals who may contribute toward the economic development and diversification of the UAE. However, in recent weeks, there has been a progressive expansion in categories, making the visa more freely accessible to applicants apart from conventional investors.

2. Key Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa

Holders of the Golden Visa enjoy a plethora of exclusive benefits, including:

• Long-Term Residency: The visa gives you stability with a residency permit extending for 5 or 10 years.
• Sponsor-Free Living: The visa holder need not have a local sponsor or employer; hence, much independence is permitted.
• Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor your spouse, children (for unmarried daughters, there is no age limit, and for sons, up to 25), and parents. There is no limit on the number of domestic workers you can sponsor.
• Flexible Re-entry: There are no restrictions on how long you can stay outside the UAE, as long as the visa remains valid.
• Full Business Ownership: The visa gives 100% ownership of businesses within the mainland UAE.
• Multiple-Entry Permit: A month’s multiple-entry permit to accomplish the processing of residency will be granted.
• Financial Perks: Those residing within the UAE will enjoy the tax-free status on personal income.

To help with global business expansion
make sure you choose us.

Get in touch with our team to find out about our approach

BOOK FREE CONSULTATION

Response within 24 Hours

3. Who is Eligible? (Categories Explained)

There are several categories of persons eligible to apply for the Golden Visa, which come with differing requirements. All applicants must obtain valid health insurance within the UAE and must undergo a medical fitness test.

3.1. Investors

The 10-year Golden Visa in UAE will thus be obtained by an investor upon fulfilling one of the following conditions:

• Real Estate Investment: Buying property worth AED 2 million or more. This includes such property developments offered by local developers registered specifically with the authority. The mortgage may be secured through specified local banks only.
• Public Investment: Keeping not less than AED 2 million as a deposit in an investment fund accredited from within the UAE.
• Business Ownership: Setting up a business in the UAE with a minimum investment commitment of AED 2 million.
• Tax Contribution:  Owner of a company paying government taxes of AED 250,000 and above annually.

The investment must be kept for at least two years from the date when the visa is issued.

3.2. Entrepreneurs

The Golden Visa may be issued for 5 or 10 years, depending on the case. To be eligible, entrepreneurs should bring in an economic project regarding the technical or future basis of risk and innovation. The eligibility criterion is:

• Existing project or business with a minimum valuation of AED 500,000.
• Possession of an approval letter issued by an accredited business incubator or relevant authority in the UAE.

3.3. Specialized Talents & Professionals

This is one of the most favored categories, granting a 10-year visa to highly skilled persons.

Skilled Professionals: Those who possess advanced competency in any respective field, including medicine, sciences, engineering, IT, business, and education, feature in this category. Fundamental requirements involve:

• A basic pay per month of AED 30,000 minimum (excludes allowances)
• A valid contract of employment in the UAE.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Classification under MOHRE Skill Levels 1 or 2 (e.g., managers, specialists).

Executive Directors: There is a sub-category for higher executive roles that must be educated to a degree level, hold five years of experience in leadership, and have a minimum AED 50,000 salary per month.

Exceptional Talents: This includes artistic creators in arts and culture, creative geniuses, elite sporting professionals, and scientists who might expect to display exceptional results and secure recommendations or endorsement from a relevant governmental jurisdiction.

3.4. Outstanding Students

Outstanding students can get a 5-or 10-year Golden Visa with the possibility to also sponsor their families.

High School Students: Must graduate with a minimum of 95% out of a public/private school final exam, while they may require a nomination from the Ministry of Education.

University Students:

• UAE University graduates must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA from a university evaluated as Class A or B by the Ministry of Education.
• Graduates from top international universities (among 100 globally) with a 3.5 GPA are eligible if they graduated two years max before applying.

To help with global business expansion
make sure you choose us.

Get in touch with our team to find out about our approach

BOOK FREE CONSULTATION

Response within 24 Hours

3.5. Humanitarians & Frontline Workers

This category appreciates those who gave back in humanitarian fields or the frontline heroes during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Requires nomination from a recognized entity.

4. Debunking the “Nomination-Based” Lifetime Visa Myth

Recent reports in mid-2025 made wild claims about a new nomination-based “lifetime” Golden Visa. Reports claim a fee of AED 100,000 will be charged, mainly targeting Indian and Bangladeshi citizens. These claims are said to have originated from a private consulting firm and have since been dismissed by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

The ICP clarified that:

• There is no such thing as a lifetime visa. The Golden Visa is a 5- or 10-year renewable residency permit.
• No fixed fare program of AED 100,000 guarantees a Golden Visa.
• All applications must eventually be taken through official government channels; no private entity is entitled to issue or guarantee any visa.

The mischief-making consultancy has now apologized for the whirlwind confusion that it created.

However, there exists a legitimate nomination basis for exceptional talent, and this is not a new program, nor is it a fixed fee. In this pathway, a specific relevant UAE governmental body (e.g., Dubai Culture for artists, Sports Council for athletes) shall vet and endorse the nomination.

5. Step-by-Step Application Process

Determine Your Category: First, identify which Golden Visa category you qualify for based on your investments, profession, or academic record.

Prepare Required Documents: Gather all necessary paperwork. While specific documents vary by category, all applicants generally need:

• A copy of your passport (valid for at least six months)
• Recent passport-sized photographs with a white background
• Proof of eligibility (e.g., property title deed, salary certificate, attested degree)
• Valid UAE health insurance
• A police clearance certificate
• Medical fitness test results from an authorized UAE center

Submit Your Application: Applications must be submitted by the respective official channels listed below:

• The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) portal
• The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) portal for applications in Dubai
• Authorized service centers such as AMER in Dubai

Approval and Visa Issuance: When you submit your application, the authorities will process it. Once approved, you will be issued the Golden Visa and a new Emirates ID valid for 10 years.

6. Comparison: Investment vs. Professional Golden Visa

Document Type	All Applicants	Investors	Entrepreneurs	Professionals	Students	Nomination Route
Passport (all pages)	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Passport photos	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Proof of eligibility (investment, etc)	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Bank/financial statements	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Health insurance	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Police clearance certificate	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Academic/professional certificates	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Additional (salary slip, endorsements)		✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️

To help with global business expansion
make sure you choose us.

Get in touch with our team to find out about our approach

BOOK FREE CONSULTATION

Response within 24 Hours

7. Comparison Table: Investment vs. Nomination-Based Golden Visa

Feature	Investment Route	Nomination-Based Route
Minimum Outlay	AED 2 million (property/funds)	AED 100,000 (one-time fee)
Investment Required	Yes	No
Validity	5 or 10 years (renewable)	Lifetime
Family Sponsorship	Yes	Yes
Vetting	Financial, background	Background, social media
Who Can Apply	Investors, entrepreneurs, talents	Professionals, creators, etc.
Application Channel	ICP, GDRFA	Authorized agencies, ICP

8. Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I apply for the Golden Visa from outside the UAE?
• Yes. Applicants can receive a six-month multi-entry visa to enter the UAE from outside and complete the procedure.
• Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
• No, whereas the Golden Visa provides long-term residence, it does not provide for citizenship in the UAE.
• What happens if I sell my investment property?
• Selling the property that qualified you for the visa may affect the validity of the visa. You will have to maintain the investment for at least two years.

9. Conclusion

With the Golden Visa scheme, the UAE brings a revolutionary initiative that affords unmatched security and comfort to the individual and family members alike. Here, the applicants ought not to be misled by false information but rely on legitimate and official eligibility criteria through which to secure their future in one of the dynamic and innovative countries globally. Ready to begin your journey? Trust Arnifi to guide you every step of the way.

How Arnifi Can Help

With all its peculiarities, applying for a UAE Golden Visa becomes more difficult. This is where a committed corporate services provider such as Arnifi can come in handy. Arnifi specializes in market entry facilitation and compliance for businesses and professionals looking to set up in the UAE. In addition, Arnifi HR, an Employer of Record (EOR) service provider, will take care of all the related complexities concerning visa processing, payroll, and ensuring local labor law adherence, especially for professionals or entrepreneurs. Utilizing their vast knowledge of UAE laws, Arnifi works to clear up the whole process, reiterate the possible mistakes, and give expert assistance in making the application a success.