Moving around the world used to be something only a few people did – at least, for a while. But for the past couple of decades, more people than ever have been moving to different countries, getting residency and citizenship in second countries, and putting down roots in new places. 

Some people move as workers, some marry a spouse that is from a different country, but a growing number are using so called “golden visa” programs to leverage their financial wealth to open immigration doors. 

The UAE is one of the places that offers a so called “golden visa” program, which is essentially immigration by investment. Here’s what that means, and how you can take advantage of this immigration option. 

UAE’s Golden Visa

Most countries look for what is called “foreign direct investment” to boost their GDP and increase the among of money in their economy. 

About a decade ago, many countries around the world realized that one of the best ways to get people to invest in their country was to offer them something in return, and that the opportunity to live and work as a resident or citizen of that country was a great way to entice them. 

Golden visa programs were born, and in Europe and many other places, they’ve been responsible for tens of thousands of successful immigrations – and billions of dollars of cash injected into each economy. 

The UAE wasn’t really at the head of the pack. 

In fact, the UAE golden visa program only came into being very recently – in 2019. However, it’s already allowed many high-net-worth individuals to start putting down roots in the UAE, including Dubai and other emirates. 

This has meant a big injection of cash for the country, and of course, the people who do move to Dubai and the UAE usually invest even more money to start a business of their own – so it’s a big win for everyone involved. 

The UAE golden visa program doesn’t waive all immigration requirements. You still have to be eligible for immigration based on criminal, security and health criteria. But it does move people who have the money to invest in the country to the front of the line, and that’s a very attractive proposition in the sometimes costly and long-winded immigration world! 

5-year UAE long-term residence visa

If you want to apply for a 5 year long term UAE visa under the UAE golden visa program, you need to:

• Invest at least 5 million AED in property that is not “on loan” and that you retain for at least 5 years after purchase
• Start or invest in a business from a minimum of 500,000 AED
• Be an “outstanding student” who scores at least 95 percent on their courses

If you qualify for a 5 year long term UAE golden visa long term residency permit, you can bring your family along with you when you move to the emirates. 

10-year UAE long-term residence visa

The criteria for the 10 year long term UAE golden visa residency permit are similar to the 5-year option, but you need to:

• Invest at least 10 million AED
• Invest in an investment fund in the country
• Partner with a new or existing business
• Start a new business
• Invest up to 60% of the 10 million minimum in property, with the rest spread over any of the other options on the list

If you choose the investment route to get your long-term residency in the UAE, none of the amount invested can be a loan. 

Another option for getting a UAE golden visa for ten years is to be an exceptional talent or academic, which includes people with PhDs, high level business executives, people involved in cultural pursuits that are also approved by the ministry of culture, or scientists. 

Whether you choose to apply based on investment or your skills and talents, you can bring your family along, and you still need to meet all other immigration criteria. 

What does UAE’s Golden Visa Offer?

There are other ways to get residency in the UAE (usually based on a job offer and being sponsored by your employer), but there are several benefits to choosing the UAE golden visa instead, including:

• The option to have long term residency in the UAE for 5 or ten years
• The ability to live, work and study in any field, business, or program you choose
• The ability to own your own business outright on the UAE mainland
• The security of knowing that you have a guaranteed extended stay in the UAE
• No requirement to have a sponsor for your application

Like any immigration process, there are many steps, and you will have to meet many criteria – but when you apply for a UAE golden visa, it does take some of the requirements and restrictions of other kinds of permits off the table. 

Who are eligible to apply for UAE’s Golden Visa?

The UAE golden visa for Dubai and the UAE is designed to attract high net worth people as well as people with extraordinary skills and abilities to the country, so the list of people who can apply reflect that. Some of the types of people who can apply for this type of residency permit are:

• Real estate investors and entrepreneurs
• Data experts, scientists, and PhD holders
• CEOs and other high-level executives
• Medical doctors with a variety of specialties
• University graduates who score exceptionally in their courses
• Financial investors

Most of these people can apply with their family (spouse and children), and most can apply for either five- or ten-year permits. 

Essentially, the UAE wants to bolster the number of exceptionally skilled, gifted and driven people who call their country home, and this program is a way to do just that. 

How much does the Golden Visa cost?

The cost to apply for a golden visa for the UAE is the same for both the five- and ten-year permit. In fact, you don’t choose which one to apply for – the government decides what they want to give you. 

As with most immigration programs, there is a fee to be paid when you apply, which in this case AED 4850, plus an AED 150 application fee. 

Once your application is approved, you will need to pay another AED 1000 to get the document issued so that you can travel to the UAE and enter the country as a long-term resident. 

How to apply for a UAE’s Golden Visa?

Like most immigration processes, the application for the UAE golden visa program is paperwork heavy and requires a lot of attention to detail. However, provided you meet minimum immigration requirements and the requirements of the golden visa program, there’s every chance that you will be accepted for the program. 

Here’s what the application process usually looks like:

• Decide which category you plan to apply under (investor, exceptional student, skills, and talents and so on)
• Gather the paperwork you will need for your application – you will need to prove who you are, provide criminal record checks, provide proof of meeting the immigration and golden visa criteria and so on – you can find a full list of what you need on the government website
• Go to the government website at https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visa/long-term-residence-visas-in-the-uae to start your application
• Request nomination for the program
• Your request will be reviewed and approved or declined within 30 days, and you will get an email
• If you are approved, you will be given an application link where you will fill in information and upload your documents
• The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, which is the UAE immigration authority, will review your application and decide if they will give you a long residency permit
• You will be issued the visa and be able to enter the UAE

It’s very important to remember that every immigration process is time sensitive. You will need to ensure that you submit all required paperwork within the timelines set by the government. If you miss a deadline or fail to provide the right documentation, your application may be denied. 

Application Routes of UAE’s Golden Visa

Like most golden visa programs, the UAE golden visa offers several different streams or application routes that you can use to apply for residency. They are all based on investments or skills that will be beneficial to the UAE, but they do also give you the opportunity to get sponsorship free, long-term residency in the UAE – so it’s a good trade off! 

Here are some of the ways you might be able to apply, depending on your skills, talents, and financial means:

Special Talent Route

The special talent route to a UAE golden visa is based on your skills, talents and certifications, and your options include: 

Doctors

If you are an internationally trained and licensed medical doctor (including doctors from Dubai), you can apply for the special talent route for a UAE golden visa, provided you do so before the deadline which is currently September 2022. 

You will need to provide detailed information about your training and license when you apply. You also need to have at least a PhD from one of the top 500 universities in the world, and at least 10 years of experience in your field. 

Artists

Artists, which includes everything from painters and writers to actors and other kinds of performance artists can also apply for a UAE golden visa. The criteria for this category are more fluid, but are based on your level of artistic achievement, and will be assessed on ca case by case basis. You also need to be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.

Scientists

Scientists who want to get a UAE golden visa need to be accredited by the Emirates Scientists Council or holders of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence. 

In addition to accreditation, you need to have at least a PhD from one of the world’s top 500 universities, and at least 10 years of experience in your field. You also need to have had your work or research published in a recognized journal in your field. 

Innovators

Innovators are people who aren’t scientists or doctors but are considered leaders in their fields. 

You will either need to have graduated from one of the world’s top 500 universities or have received an award or certificate of appreciate in your field. You should also have extensive, demonstrable experience in your field and be considered a leader. 

Executive Directors

If you are the CEO of a company and meet the requirements for the UAE golden visa program, you are also eligible to apply. This means you have at least a bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant and related work experience. You will also have a contract with the company you work for, and you must earn at least AED 30,000 per year to qualify. 

Academics and Students

Academics and students who excel in their studies are also welcomed to apply for a UAE golden visa. 

To qualify for this option, you need to have at least 95% or a 3.8 GPA or higher in high school or university or be a student of one of the top 500 universities in the world or have received a certificate of appreciation or award in your field of study. 

 Athletes

Exceptional athletes are another type of person that the UAE would like to have apply for the golden visa program. In order to qualify for this option, you will have to be competing at the very top level of your sport and provide proof of your achievements. 

PhD Holders

Highly skilled PhD holders who have graduated from one of the world’s top 500 universities are another type of person that is in demand for the UAE golden visa program. You will need to provide information about your studies and your achievements in your field when you apply. 

Engineers

Engineers in a large variety of fields including computers, civil engineering, building and electrical (among others) are all welcome to apply for the UAE golden visa program. 

Like most other skills-based streams, you will need to provide information about your studies (and prove that you attended an approved university) and meet the minimum experience requirements for your field. 

Entrepreneur Route

The UAE golden visa is definitely geared towards entrepreneurs, and the country does want to attract this kind of immigrant to make their home in one of the emirates. However, you do need to prove that you are a seasoned, experienced entrepreneur, rather than just starting out, so there are some requirements that need to be met.

What are the conditions for Entrepreneurs?

If you want to apply for a UAE golden visa as an entrepreneur, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Have an approved project valued at AED 500,000 or above in process, or be starting one that has been approved by an accredited business incubator
• Be approved by a recognized and official start up centre
• Have health insurance for yourself and your family for the duration of your stay

Entrepreneurs are usually approved for a 5 year long term residency permit. You will also have a renewable 6-month multi entry visa, and you can bring your family with to the UAE for the duration of your stay. 

Real Estate Route

If you want to invest in real estate to support your UAE golden visa, you will need to invest at least AED 5 million in an approved project, and you are eligible for a five-year residency permit. 

Your investment will need to remain in place while you stay in the country – so you cannot resell the property while you are in the country. You also should not have to lend money in order to make the investment. 

Education Route

If you are an exceptional student who has scored 95% or have a 3.8 GPA or higher, and you want to continue your studies at an accredited university in the UAE, you can also qualify for a UAE golden visa while you continue your studies in the country. 

How to get an Investor Visa in Dubai?

If you want to get an “investor visa” in Dubai, which falls under the UAE golden visa program, you need to meet the minimum investment requirements for the type of investment you plan to make, and you need to keep the investment in place for at least as long as your visa is valid (or you are in the country.) 

You also need to invest your own funds – not money that you have lent elsewhere, and you need to meet all the other immigration requirements set by the government. 

FAQ

Which countries are part of the UAE?

There are seven emirates that make up the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. While the UAE golden visa program applies to all of them, most people who want to move to the UAE want to live in Dubai. 

What is live like for foreigners in the UAE?

The UAE and its emirates are considered Islamic countries, so the rules and customs are a little different to what you might expect in the west. That does not mean all of these countries enforce strict Islamic laws and customs, but you should definitely investigate the customs in the emirate that you are considering moving to. 

Is it safe to live in the UAE?

It is generally considered very safe to live in the UAE, and the emirates have very good infrastructure and security services. It is, however, in the middle east, and that region is sometimes considered volatile, so that might affect where you can travel in the region and other aspects of your stay. 

Again, as always, make sure you investigate the area you are planning to move to in detail so that you know what to expect. 

Is the UAE golden visa a permanent residency program?

No. Unlike some countries that offer permanent residence or even citizenship as part of their golden visa programs, the UAE golden visa program is a long-term residency program only. They are, however, renewed automatically, so as long as you still meet the residency and visa requirements, you will be able to continue living and working in the country. 

Can I be deported on a UAE golden visa?

Yes. Depending on what you do to warrant deportation, most countries around the world have some kind of mechanism to deport even long-term residents. In some cases, countries can even strip naturalized citizens of their country of citizenship and send them back to their home country. 

However, that is exceptionally rare, and you would need to commit a serious offence to have that happen to you. 

Is alcohol illegal in the UAE?

Not exactly. It is illegal to be drunk or under the influence of alcohol in public in the UAE, but non- residents can apply for a permit to drink alcohol in their homes or in private venues for non- guests. Dubai generally has the most tolerant attitude towards the use of alcohol though, so be sure to check the regulations for the area you are planning to move to.

Do women need to wear a hijab in the UAE?

No. Women are expected to dress modestly, and swimsuits and similar attire are only allowed at beaches and swimming pools. If you are visiting certain holy sites, however, you will be expected to wear the customary garb as a sign of respect. 

Can I bring a common law spouse with to the UAE?

No. Sexual relationships outside of marriage are illegal in the UAE, and there are strict penalties. So, if you want to move to the UAE with a partner, you are not legally married to, you should plan a wedding before you move! 

Can I move to the UAE with a same sex partner?

No. Strictly speaking, same sex relationships are illegal in the UAE – although this is not enforced very often. However, whether you are legally married elsewhere or not, you will not be able to bring a same sex partner with on a UAE golden visa. 

Contact Us

Smart Citizenship has been helping people to move to new countries around the world for many years. We specialize in golden visa and immigration by investment programs, and we can help with information, advice, and assistance if you want to move to the UAE under the UAE golden visa program. 

Whether you’re ready to start the process, or you just want to know more about the requirements, the process and whether you qualify, our team is always happy to help. 

Contact us to discuss your immigration needs and goals and let us help you to find a new place to call home.