Several groups of expatriates with plans of obtaining permanent residency in the UAE have taken advantage of the UAE Golden Visa system since its implementation in 2019.  What are the requirements to apply for a golden visa?  Read on to find out how if you are eligible to apply for this long-term residence visa in the UAE.

What is UAE’s Golden Visa?

A long-term residence visa allows foreign talent to live, work, and study in the UAE without requiring a national sponsor. The visa is granted to attract talents and highly skilled workers and professionals & boost the investment environment and foster business success & growth for a period of (5) or (10) years and automatically renewed if the same conditions are met.

Golden Visa UAE Categories: Requirements, Benefits, the Application Process, and more.

Who are eligible for a Golden Visa?

Golden visas are available to the following individuals if they meet one or more of the following criteria: 

List of Categories for Golden Visa:

1. Property Investor Visa – 5 YEARS
2. Investors in Public Investment – 10 YEARS
3. Doctors – 10 YEARS
4. Executive Directors – 10 YEARS
5. Specialist in Engineering and Science – 10 YEARS
6. Outstanding Students and Graduates of 2019 and above – 5 YEARS
7. Entrepreneurs – 5 YEARS
8. Creative Specialists for Culture & Art – 10 YEARS

1. Golden Visa for Property investor visa (5 years)

A 5-year visa is granted to a Property investor who has:

• A minimum of 2 Million Dirhams value property or owned share (one property or more) under the applicant’s name.
• For mortgage property, at least 2 Million Dirhams of property value must be paid to the bank and a NOC letter in Arabic is required mentioning the amount paid from the mortgage.

Notes:

• The applicant’s presence is required at the government office for 3 stages: Submission, Medical test, and Passport collection.
• If a husband and wife share a property, a marriage certificate is required.

2. Golden Visa for Investors in public investment (10 years):

•  Investor or partner in UAE license with shares value of 2 million Dirhams.
• Bank deposit of 2 Million Dirhams for two years.
• Tax Return Investor.

Note:

• If the license is in free zones or special development zones, it is required to bring a “To Whom It May Concern Certificate” from the relevant free zone authorities.

3. Golden visa for doctors (10 years):

A 10-year residence visa is granted to any specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge for (10) years without a sponsor. It is subject to renewal if the requirements are met.

Notes:

•  Certificate of licensing to practice the profession in Arabic from (Dubai Health Authority/Ministry of Health/Dubai Health City).
•  Submission of an accredited letter from the competent authorities (Dubai Health Authority/Ministry of Health/Dubai Health City) by practicing the profession for no less than one year.

4. Golden visa for Executive Directors (10 years):

A 10-year visa is granted to any employee who assumes the position of an executive director or performs similar duties or holds a position in the executive management of the employer.

Notes:

• Submission of a bachelor’s degree or higher attested, or a letter of an equivalent degree from the Ministry of Education in case the certificate is issued from outside the country.
• The applicant should have residency visas during the last (5) years holding the same position.
•   Submission of a salary certificate with a salary of at least AED 50,000

5. Golden visa for Specialists in Engineering and Science (10 years):

A 10-year visa is granted to any Professionals or highly skilled workers with high educational qualifications and professional experience in all disciplines, including medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture, and social sciences can get Golden Visa if they:

Notes:
1. Submission of a Bachelor’s or master’s degree or higher attested, or a letter of an equivalent degree from the Ministry of Education in case the certificate is issued from outside the country.
2. Submission of a work contract with a profession in one of the following specializations:
Epidemiology and Virology | Artificial Intelligence | Big Data | Computer Engineering | Electronics Engineering | Software Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Genetic Engineering | Biotechnology Engineering

6. Golden visa for Outstanding students graduates of 2019 and above (5 years):

• A Highschool student who ranked top in the country (with a minimum grade of 95% in public and private secondary schools) is granted a Golden Visa for (5) years without a sponsor.

Notes:
1. Submission of a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment).
2. The duration of the Golden Visa for the student is 5 years and may be extended if he is enrolled in one of the majors/colleges in the country that requires a study period of more than five years, such as (the College of Human Medicine).

7. Golden visa for Entrepreneurs (5 years):

A 5-year residency visa is granted to an entrepreneur who owns an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk & innovation. This type of application for (entrepreneurs) is submitted through Dubai Future Foundation.

Notes:
1. Submission of a Letter from an accredited auditor in the United Arab Emirates stating that the project value is not less than AED 500,000.
2. Submission of an approval Letter from the concerned authorities in the Emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature in which entrepreneurship is achieved.
3. Submission of a Letter from an accredited business incubator or a competent authority in the Emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature.

8. Golden visa for Creative specialists in Culture and Art (10 years):

Creative Specialists in Culture and Art and submission of an accredited recommendation letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the emirate.

What are the benefits of a Golden visa?

1.  Long-term and renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years(depending on the category)
2.  Self-sponsored visa, as there is no need for an employment sponsor
3.   Ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual restriction of six months in order to keep their residence visa valid
4.  Sponsoring their family members, including the spouse and children regardless of their ages
5. Sponsoring an unlimited number of domestic helpers
6.  Allowing family members to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, if the primary holder of the Golden visa passes away.
7. Enjoy attractive and exclusive benefits through their Esaad cards, including a host of discounts on a wide range of services, products, attractions, and experiences.

How to apply for a golden visa in the UAE?

GDRFA-Dubai Smart Application

1. Download the GDRFA-Dubai application through the authorized stores: Apple store/Play store
2. Register a new user account (in case there is no account registered)
3. Select the required service
4. Attach the required documents
5. Pay the fees due for the service
6. Submit the request

AMER Centers

1. Head to one of the service branches of the Amer Centers
2. Select the required service at the receptionist
3. Submit the required documents to the service employee
4. Checking documents
5. Pay the fees due for the service
6. Submit the application

Notes: 

A text message + an email is sent to the customer with the status of the application:

• If there are missing documents on the application, the customer is notified of the need to attach the missing documents within 30 days, and if the missing documents are not attached, the application will be canceled.
•  In case there are no missing documents in the application, the customer will be notified of the approval and the approved application will be sent by e-mail.

To learn more, contact us

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