01What the UAE Golden Visa is
The Golden Visa is a long-term, renewable UAE residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on the category. According to the official UAE government portal, holders can sponsor family members, including a spouse and children.
It is aimed at people the country wants to keep long term: investors, entrepreneurs, people with exceptional talent or rare specialisations, outstanding students, and humanitarian pioneers.
02Who qualifies for the Golden Visa
The official categories listed on the UAE government portal are:
- Investors in public investments — 10 years. The listed requirement is a minimum capital of AED 2 million.
- Real estate investors — 5 years. Property ownership, or a contribution to an establishment that pays at least AED 250,000 a year in taxes.
- Entrepreneurs — 5 years. Proof of an innovative or technical project, documents showing the project’s value, and a letter from a business incubator or the relevant authority in your emirate.
- Exceptional talent or rare specialisations — 10 years. This covers doctors, scientists, inventors, creatives in culture and arts, executives, athletes, PhD holders and specialists in priority scientific and engineering fields. Requirements differ by subcategory, such as recommendation letters, practical experience or accredited degrees.
- Outstanding students — 5 years for high school achievers and 10 years for top university students, with certificates of excellence and recommendation letters from the school or university.
- Humanitarian pioneers and Frontline Heroes — 10 years, with certificates of appreciation, documentation of humanitarian work, or at least 5 years of service.
The government portal does not list every threshold (for example salary levels for skilled professionals, or property value details). Those rules are set by the authorities and can change, so check your own case with the official eligibility checker before you pay anyone to prepare an application.
03How to apply for the Golden Visa
- Pick your category. Match your situation to one of the categories above.
- Check eligibility. Use the eligibility checker on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) website.
- Gather your documents. These depend on the category: certificates, recommendation letters, project or property documents, and your passport.
- Apply through the official channel. Applications go through ICP or the residency authority of your emirate, such as GDRFA in Dubai.
- Complete the visa steps. As with any residence visa, expect a medical test and Emirates ID biometrics, as explained in our Emirates ID guide.
Be careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed Golden Visa. Eligibility is decided by the authorities, not by an agent.
04Golden Visa vs Green Visa
These are two different visas. The Green Visa is a 5-year renewable visa for skilled workers, freelancers and self-employed people, and investors or business partners. The Golden Visa has the categories listed above and runs for 5 or 10 years. If you are not sure which one fits you, start with our UAE visas and residency guide.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the UAE Golden Visa valid?
It is valid for 5 or 10 years depending on the category. Investors in public investments, people with exceptional talent, top university students and humanitarian pioneers receive 10 years. Real estate investors, entrepreneurs and high school achievers receive 5 years.
Can I sponsor my family on a Golden Visa?
Yes. The official UAE government portal lists the ability to sponsor family members, including a spouse and children, as a benefit of the Golden Visa.
Do I need a UAE employer to get a Golden Visa?
The categories are based on your investment, project, talent or achievements rather than on a single employer. Each category has its own documents, so check your case with the official eligibility checker.
Where do I apply for a Golden Visa?
Through the official channels of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or the residency authority of your emirate, such as GDRFA in Dubai.
Is the Golden Visa the same as the Green Visa?
No. The Green Visa is a 5-year visa for skilled workers, freelancers, self-employed people and investors or partners. The Golden Visa is a separate visa with its own categories and runs for 5 or 10 years.
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