UAE Golden Visa

Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa

The Golden Visa offers a number of benefits over traditional residency options:

• Initial Entry Visa: Holders receive an entry visa valid for six months, allowing multiple entries to finalise relocation plans and complete the necessary formalities.
• Long-term Residency: The visa provides a renewable residence permit valid for up to 10 years, allowing holders to establish deeper roots in the Emirates compared to standard residency visas.
• Self-Sponsorship: This visa allows holders to self-sponsor, eliminating the need for a national sponsor or employer sponsorship. Providing greater control over residency status, the ability to freely change employers and pursue entrepreneurial ventures without the constraints of traditional sponsorship requirements.
• Flexibility of Stay: Holders can stay outside the UAE for any length of time without their visa being nullified, providing greater flexibility for international travel.
• Family Sponsorship: The Golden Visa allows holders to sponsor their immediate family members, including parents, spouses and children of any age, without the need for additional deposits.
• Domestic Helpers: Holders can sponsor an unlimited number of domestic helpers.
• Family Security: In the event of the primary visa holder’s passing, family members are permitted to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, ensuring stability during difficult times.
• Property ownership: Golden Visa holders can benefit from streamlined property ownership processes and improved mortgage approval prospects, allowing them to purchase and manage real estate in prime locations with greater ease.
• Multiple entry privileges: The visa includes multiple entry privileges, allowing holders to travel in and out of the UAE without the need to apply for new visas. There is no minimum days required to be present in the UAE. This flexibility is ideal for business professionals and expats with international commitments.

What are the requirements for the UAE Golden Visa?

The application process for the Golden Visa is straightforward but varies depending on the channel through which you apply and the route you choose so it’s important to understand the requirements and steps for your particular situation. Eligibility for the Golden Visa is categorised into several groups, each with specific criteria:

Investors: Requires a minimum investment of AED 2 million in UAE. The investments can be into a business, or real estate properties, this can include off-plan properties, and can be under a mortgage.

Entrepreneurs: Founders or co-founders of businesses registered in the UAE, with a minimum annual revenue of AED 1 million, or founders of a previous business sold for at least AED 7 million. Approval from the Ministry of Economic Development for an idea for a start-up.

Skilled professionals: Must be employed in the UAE with 5 years’ experience - the applicant can share proof of a total 5 years' of work experience in UAE to obtain approval. A minimum educational level of bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The applicant must hold a role classified by MOHRE’s occupational classification scheme as follows:

• - Level 1 Classification – Managers & Business Executives.
• - Level 2 Classification – Professionals in the fields of Sciences, Engineering, Health, Education, Business and Management, Information Technology, Law, Sociology, and Culture.

Outstanding Students: High-achieving students from recognised universities, having graduated from one of the world's top 100 universities or having achieved an average mark of 95% in high school, and a recommendation from the Ministry of Education (MOE). The visa may include the student’s family members. Other criteria considered is year of graduation, classification and cumulative average.

Pioneers of humanitarian works

An individual should be a pioneer or worker in humanitarian work within one of the following categories to be eligible for a golden visa:

• Individuals who have worked in international and regional organisations, or outstanding employees, for a minimum of 5 years
• Members of civil institutions and associations of public interest, or outstanding employees, for a minimum of five years
• Those who have received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international organisation that focuses on humanitarian work
• Awarded outstanding humanitarian volunteers with at least 5 years of service or at least 500 hours of volunteer service
• Individuals who fund humanitarian work, provided that the value of support is not less than AED 2 million or its equivalent
• All other categories of humanitarian work are agreed upon between the authority and the Ministry
• A minister can also nominate pioneers of humanitarian work

Other requirements include holding a university degree, and fulfilling any other criteria imposed by a ministry or authority.

Creative People in the field of Culture and Art

Applicants are required to meet 3 of the following:

• Provide an approved latter from Department of Culture and Arts in relevant Emirate
• Certificate of appreciation/nomination from a prestigious International or regional authority in the field.
• An honorary position in a prestigious International authority because of his/her outstanding creativity.
• An active member of a prestigious international art organization or association.
• His/her creations must have received attention from critics, media or industry professionals.
• His/her works have been shown in prestigious forums locally, regionally or internationally (exhibitions, forums, festivals, events).

Information provided by UAE Ministry of Youth and Culture. Apply for a recommendation letter here

Outstanding Specialised Talents: Professionals with expertise in critical fields such as science, engineering, IT, medicine, and culture. Applicants must have a valid employment contract in the UAE, classified in the first or second occupational level by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), and earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000.

This category encompasses any individual who demonstrates exceptional ability in the fields of science and technology, creative areas such as culture and art, and can contribute to the UAE’s economy in some way.

The criteria for obtaining a visa within this category is recognition of the individual’s skills and accreditation by a relevant UAE government ministry.

The criteria for eligibility in this category are:

• For creative individuals – An approval letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the relevant emirate
• For inventors - The attainment of a patent of value which is approved by the Ministry of Economy and contributes to the UAE economy in some way
• For individuals with exceptional talent in the field of science - Their work must be published in a recognised scientific journal
• For scientists – A letter of recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council or the Secretariat of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Academic Excellence stating that he is a recipient of the Academic Excellence Medal
• For business investors - They must be owners of an internationally recognised company or holders of a high academic position
• For specialists in the fields of athletes and science – A specialised certificate in the fields specified by the authorities in the country, or a letter of recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils
• For holders of doctoral degrees and specialists in the fields of engineering and science –
• A certified copy of a Ph.D. from the Ministry of Education in one of the priority disciplines
• A university degree from the MOE with a major in engineering or science
• A work contract for a profession in the engineering or science fields
• For doctors – An approval letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) in the country to practice the profession of medicine, and the meeting two of the following requirements:
• Ph.D. degree from one of the top 500 universities in the world
• An award or certificate of excellence in a relevant field
• A contribution to major scientific research in their respective field
• Published articles or books in renowned publications in their respective field
• Membership of an organisation related to their field
• A Ph.D. and 10 years professional experience in their field
• Another specialisation in a field of priority to the UAE

Other requirements include having a valid passport copy, and valid health card insurance that is not less than one year and can be extended.

For more information on the terms and conditions for the issuing of golden visas, please visit the Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website.

What Documents are required for the Golden Visa?

Applications for the Golden Visa will typically require the following documents for the application:

• A valid passport
• Proof of investment or business ownership (for investors and entrepreneurs)
• Educational certificates (for students and specialised talents)
• Employment contract (for professionals)
• Medical insurance
• Police clearance certificate

The processing time for the Golden Visa typically ranges from 30 to 60 days, depending on the applicant's category and the completeness of the application, so accuracy and completeness are crucial to avoid any errors that could extend the processing time or lead to rejection. Ensure all documents are correctly filled out and submitted to avoid delays.

What are the costs of the Golden Visa?

The costs associated with obtaining a Golden Visa include several components, and the total expense varies based on the applicant's category and location:

• Application Fees: If applying from outside the UAE, the cost is higher.
• Medical Examination Fees: for the medical examination required for the Emirates ID.
• Insurance Costs: Mandatory health insurance coverage, the price of which can vary depending on the provider and coverage level.
• Additional Expenses: May include document attestation, translation services, and legal fees.

For those applying for the 10-year Golden Visa, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has updated the entry permit fees. The cost for the six-month entry permit includes:

• Issuance fee
• Application fee
• Smart services fee
• Electronic services fee
• ­­­ICP fee

These fees can vary based on the applicant's category, such as investors, entrepreneurs, or specialised talents. It is advisable to check the specific fee structure relevant to your category before applying.

How will Sovereign PPG help me?

Sovereign PPG have experience obtaining UAE Golden Visas for our clients. We assist our clients to access that they meet the requirements and preparing the right documentation. Our team of expert advisors can help with the registration process throughout all the required steps up to issuance of the Golden Visa and additional family members as well. If you need assistance looking at the options to obtain an UAE Golden Visa, please get in touch with us on +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or +971 (0)2 448 5120 for Abu Dhabi, email us at SovPPG@SovereignGroup.com or complete the contact form below and we will be delighted to assist you.