Are you ready to seize a new opportunity to live and work in the United Arab Emirates? The Golden Visa program is your gateway to long-term residency and exciting new opportunities in this thriving country. This initiative is designed to attract talented individuals, investors, entrepreneurs, academics, researchers, and medical professionals to the UAE, and help drive its economy forward.
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term visa that allows foreign nationals to reside, study and work in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor. The visa is valid for up to 10 years and can be renewed, depending on the category of the visa, giving you plenty of time to plan your future in the UAE.
Benefits of UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa offers several benefits, including the ability to reside and work in the UAE without a national sponsor. Other benefits include the ability to establish a new business or invest in an existing one, bring family members to the UAE, and open a bank account in the UAE. Additionally, Golden Visa holders are eligible for health insurance, and their children can attend schools in the UAE.
- a renewable long-term residence visa
- no requirement for a visa sponsor
- the option to stay outside of the UAE beyond the standard six months, while keeping their residence visa active
- the option to sponsor family members, including spouses and children, regardless of their age
- the capability to sponsor unlimited domestic helpers
- in the event of the Golden visa holder’s death, family members are allowed to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit’s validity
It is also advantageous for companies when hiring someone who holds a golden visa as it reduces the cost spent by the company on the employee’s visa and/or labour card. Based on the jurisdiction, some companies can also benefit by having no dependency on quotas.
UAE Golden Visa Requirements
To qualify for the UAE Golden Visa, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, including investing in property in the UAE, owning a business in the UAE, or having specialized skills in certain fields. The eligibility requirements vary depending on the category of the Golden Visa you are applying for.
To qualify for the Golden Visa, you’ll need to meet certain requirements, including having a valid passport, a clean criminal record, and good character. Depending on your category, you may also need to have a certain level of education or experience in your field.
Investors: To be eligible for the Golden Visa as an investor, you must invest at least AED 2 million in the UAE. The investment can be in the form of a deposit in a UAE bank, investment in a company or project, investment in real estate, or any other approved form of investment.
Entrepreneurs: As an entrepreneur, you must have an existing business in the UAE with a minimum capital of AED 500,000 or have the approval of a UAE business incubator to be qualified for the Golden Visa.
Specialized Talents: To apply for the Golden Visa as a specialized talent, you must have specialized skills in one of the following fields: science, medicine, research, and development, or culture and art. You must have a degree from a reputable university or at least 10 years of experience in your field of specialization.
Researchers and Innovators: If you are sponsored by a research institution in the UAE or the holder of a patent certified by the UAE Ministry of Economy, you may receive the golden visa.
Outstanding specialized talents, such as 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, may get a Golden visa after meeting the requirements for each category. For example, doctors need an approval letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE to practice the profession of medicine, while inventors need a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy stating that their patent has an added value to the country’s economy.
High school students who are national-level toppers and have a minimum grade of 95 percent in public or private secondary school may be granted a Golden visa for 5 years without a sponsor, subject to submission of a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment). University students with outstanding academic records may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor if their university is rated A or B class by the Ministry of Education and their cumulative GPA is not less than 3.5 for A class universities and 3.8 for B class universities.
Pioneers of humanitarian work who have worked for international and regional organizations, civil associations, and institutions of public interest, or have received an appreciation award from a local, regional or international organization that focuses on humanitarian work may also be eligible. 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.
Check your eligibility on this link from Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) or contact ACT Corporate Services at +971 4 428 1505.
https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/checkEligibility
Benefits of UAE Golden Visa for Family Members
Golden Visa holders can sponsor their family members to come to the UAE and reside with them. This includes the spouse, children under 18, and parents. The Golden Visa allows family members to reside and work in the UAE as well. Moreover, sponsored family members are allowed to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit’s validity, in the event of the Golden visa holder’s death.
How to Apply for UAE Golden Visa
The application process for the UAE Golden Visa involves submitting the necessary documents, including a passport copy, a passport-size photograph, and proof of eligibility. Once the application is submitted through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship’s e-channel, it will be reviewed by the relevant authorities, and applicants will be notified of their status.
Applicants must also provide proof of their financial stability, such as bank statements or other financial documents. Additionally, those applying for a golden visa based on their investments must provide documents related to their investments, including bank statements, property deeds, or business registration documents.
After submitting the application, the ICA will review it and issue a decision. If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a golden visa, which is valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on the category.
- You may either be nominated/pre-approved directly by the respective authorities in the UAE or you need to apply for a nomination request & be pre-approved before you can finalise & be issued a golden visa.
- If you are nominated & wish to know how to finalise your Golden visa you can contact ACT Corporate Services at +971 4 428 1505.
- If you wish to apply for a pre-approval, you can either apply via the ICP app or the GDRFA app in the links below. Real estate investors will need to apply directly in the Dubai Land Department.
ICP – https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/goldenServicesDashboard
GDRFA – https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/335969f4-8045-11ed-4fe5-0050569629e8
UAE Golden Visa Processing Time
The processing time for the UAE Golden Visa varies depending on the category of the visa and the individual’s circumstances.
Pre-approval can take between 3 to 7 working days from nomination application date and finalisation can take between 7 to 10 working days. These estimated timelines are subject to availability of all mandatory documents, timely approvals & action by relevant parties.
UAE Golden Visa Price
The price of the UAE Golden Visa varies depending on the category of the visa. Please contact ACT Corporate Services at solutions@actgroupservices.com or +971 4 428 1505 to discuss which category might apply to you.
Find Out Your Eligibility for UAE Golden Visa
The Golden Visa program has already received significant interest from investors, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals, and will likely continue to do so in the years to come.
If you are considering applying for a golden visa in the UAE, it is essential to understand the eligibility criteria, benefits, and disadvantages before making a decision. It is also recommended to seek professional advice and assistance to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
If you’re interested to learn more about the UAE Golden Visa and eligibility, please contact our specialists for a free consultation at solutions@actgroupservices.com or +971 4 428 1505.
Additional information can also be found in the link below from ICP.
You Might Also Like...
