Golden Visa UAE
Your Gateway to Long-Term Residency
The new visa rules in UAE introduced many changes to the country’s visa system. Among them was a reduction in the minimum salary requirement for a Golden Visa UAE, going from AED 50,000 a month to AED 30,000. This opened a lot more doors for individuals interested in getting a long-term residency in the country.
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UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term renewable residence visa valid for five or ten years, allowing foreign nationals to live, work, study, and invest in the UAE without requiring a local sponsor. This marks a significant departure from traditional visas that tie residency to employment or family sponsorship.
As of 2026, eligible categories include:
Investors in public investments and real estate
Entrepreneurs and startup founders
Highly skilled professionals and specialised talents
Outstanding students and graduates
Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes
Exceptional educators in Dubai’s private education sector
The Golden Visa was introduced to attract investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, skilled professionals, and outstanding students who contribute to the UAE’s long-term economic growth and innovation agenda.
The key changes from older visa structures include no employer sponsorship requirements, extended stays outside the UAE (up to six months) without visa cancellation, and the ability for the primary visa holder to sponsor unlimited family members and domestic helpers.
Golden Visa Benefitsin UAE
5 or 10-year
residency
Renewable
visa
No limit
on entries
Sponsor
domestic help
Can sponsor
family members
1. Long-Term Residency
Golden Visa holders are allowed to remain in the country for as long as their visa is valid. There is also no need for them to return to the country in six months to keep their visa active. This is one of the biggest benefits of a UAE Golden Visa, especially for individuals who travel frequently or wish to visit their home country for extended periods of time.
2. More Business Opportunities
The UAE is one of the best places to set up a business as it is famous for offering incentives to owners and investors to support their success. You can set up a business in a free zone, on the mainland, or as an offshore company. If you get a Dubai Golden Visa, you can set up a free zone company in the Emirate that can trade with the mainland.
3. Sponsor Multiple Dependents
Another benefit of a UAE Golden Visa is that it allows its holders to sponsor their family to live in the country. You can sponsor your children, spouse, and parents for as long as your visa is valid. They will also enjoy the same benefits your visa provides you in terms of entering and exiting the country.
4. No Local Sponsor Requirement
Dubai Golden Visa holders do not need a sponsor to live and work in the country. This is a major benefit as finding an employer or citizen to sponsor your visa is a common obstacle for anyone hoping to move to the UAE.
5. Exclusive Discounts on Government and Lifestyle Services
Holders of the Golden Visa UAE get access to special discounts exclusive to their visa status. You can get discounts on real estate investments, university and school fees, loans, and credit card applications. If you hold a Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi, you can get a price reduction on health insurance for yourself and your dependents.
Who Can Apply for the UAE Golden Visa?
Eligibility depends on your category, and requirements differ significantly between investment, professional, and talent-based routes. The process, requirements, and costs for the UAE Golden Visa also vary depending on the applicant’s eligibility category, which can influence processing times, costs, and the types of visas available. Understanding which pathway applies to your situation is the first step toward a successful application.
Main categories include:
Investors in public investments (funds, companies, deposits)
Real estate investors meeting property value thresholds
Entrepreneurs and startup founders with innovative projects
Highly skilled professionals including doctors, engineers, scientists, and business executives
Outstanding specialised talents in arts, culture, and sports
Outstanding students and graduates from UAE and global universities
Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes
Special categories such as exceptional educators in Dubai
Eligibility is assessed either through direct criteria (income level, qualification, investment amount) or through golden visa nomination and recommendation from competent authorities such as the Fakhr Al Watan Office, Ministry of Education, or Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the UAE Golden Visa
While each category has specific criteria, many document requirements are standard across all golden visa applications. Preparing these documents early accelerates processing.
Prepare Your Documents
and Paperwork
We can support you with getting all your paperwork ready, reaching out with government authorities on your behalf to make sure you have everything you need to apply.
Submit Your Application
and Pay the Fees
We can prepare your application form and along with giving you an exact cost breakdown of the Golden Visa UAE application fees.
Receive Your
Golden Visa
Once your application has been approved, your visa will be issued.
The application process follows a common sequence, though specific steps may vary slightly between emirates and categories.
Step 1: Eligibility assessment Check your category and confirm that your investment, salary, academic results, or nomination meets current criteria. AA Consultancy offers an initial consultation and detailed eligibility report for eligible individuals.
Step 2: Document preparation Collect passports, Emirates ID, residence visas, investment and employment evidence, and necessary recommendation letters or approvals. Ensure all documents meet attestation requirements.
Step 3: Nomination or pre-approval (where required) Submit details to the relevant authority:
ICP Smart Services “Golden Residency Nomination” portal
Dubai Land Department for property-based applications
Specific ministries for talents, students, and humanitarian categories
Step 4: Golden visa application submission Once pre-approved, apply online through official platforms such as ICP Smart Services, GDRFA-Dubai, or emirate-specific portals. AA Consultancy manages these submissions on behalf of clients.
Step 5: Entry permit or status adjustment For applicants outside UAE, obtain an entry permit. For those inside UAE stating current visa status, complete status change procedures if needed.
Step 6: Medical examination and biometrics Schedule medical fitness test and Emirates ID fingerprinting at authorised centres in the UAE.
Step 7: Final approval and visa issuance Upon approval, the visa appears in ICP/GDRFA systems. Emirates ID is printed and digital residency is linked to the ID card. Golden visa passes through the system once all requirements are met.
Golden Visa Costs & Fees
Exact government fees depend on emirate, applicant category, and whether the person is applying inside or outside the UAE.
Typical fee components:
Application fee
Issuance fee
Emirates ID fee
Medical examination fee
Status change fee (if applicable)
Service charges
Approximate ranges:
Total government fees typically range in the low thousands of AED per main applicant
Each family member (spouse, children) requires separate visa and Emirates ID fees
Family size directly scales total costs
Additional expenses:
Mandatory health insurance premiums
Document attestation costs
Translation fees for non-English/Arabic documents
Federal Tax Authority registrations if establishing business structures
Start Your Golden Visa UAE Application with AA Consultancy
The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term security, tax-efficient living, and a stable base in Dubai and other emirates for investors, professionals, and families seeking opportunity in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
Contact AA Consultancy today for a personalised eligibility assessment and step-by-step plan for obtaining your golden visa and family sponsorships.
Secure your long-term future in the UAE. We stay continuously updated with the latest 2026–2027 golden visa regulations to ensure your application succeeds the first time.
Golden VISA Faq's
Can I Stay Outside the UAE With a Golden Visa?
A major benefit of a UAE Golden Visa is that it allows the holders to remain outside the country for extended periods of time. There are no restrictions on travel, and you do not need to visit the country every 6 months to maintain your visa.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Golden Visa?
A Golden Visa in Dubai takes anywhere from 1-3 weeks to be processed. It may take longer if you require an equivalence certificate.
What are the Golden Visa Fees in UAE?
The golden visa fees depend on the type of category you are applying for (investors, entrepreneurs, manager, graduate). It will also depend on whether you need extra attestation certificates from the government.
What is the Salary Requirement for Golden Visa UAE?
The minimum salary to get a Golden Visa UAE is AED 30,000. The country lowered it from AED 50,000, making it much easier for individuals to be eligible for the visa.
What are the Advantages of a UAE Golden Visa?
Benefits of a UAE Golden Visa include the ability to sponsor multiple dependents and domestic help, long-term residency in the country, exclusive service discounts, reduced health insurance packages, and more business opportunities.
Can I Sponsor my Parents on a Golden Visa UAE?
Getting a Dubai Golden Visa means being able to sponsor your parents to stay in the country. Dependents also get the same benefits as the visa holder.
Can I Get UAE Citizenship After a Golden Visa?
Getting a Golden Visa UAE does not guarantee citizenship. The country does not allow visa holders to apply for citizenship, unless in special circumstances.
Can I Get a UAE Visa If I Buy a Property?
You can apply for a property investor Golden Visa if you have a property investment of at least AED 2 Million in the country.
Who Can I Sponsor with a Golden Visa?
The Dubai Golden Visa allows you to sponsor your parents, children, and spouse. Once they receive their visas, they will also be able to remain in the country till their visa expires.
Can I Travel to Other Countries With a Golden Visa UAE?
You are allowed to travel to other countries with a Golden Visa. The visa is still a proof of your residence in the country so you can travel like you normally would. The only difference is that Golden Visa holders do not have a limit on how long they can stay out of the country.
Is the Golden Visa the same as the 10-year investor visa in Dubai?
Yes, the 10-year property investor visa is one of the golden visa routes. “Golden Visa” is the umbrella term for long-term residence permits issued under the UAE’s residency programme, encompassing various categories including investors, professionals, and students.
What is the minimum property investment for the real estate Golden Visa?
The current threshold in Dubai is AED 2 million. Multiple properties can be combined to reach this value. Bank mortgage is permitted up to a specified percentage if obtained from approved UAE banks. Off-plan properties may qualify at certain completion stages.
Do Golden Visa holders need a separate company licence to run a business?
Yes. The golden visa provides residency only it does not grant business operation rights. A separate trade licence (mainland or free zone) is required to conduct commercial activities, though the visa provides flexibility in the same position regardless of employer changes.
Are there physical presence requirements during the application?
Yes. Medical examination and biometrics must be completed in person at authorised UAE centres. Entry permits have validity limits, so timing your arrival and appointments is important.
Can Golden Visa holders change jobs without cancelling their visa?
Yes. Unlike standard employment visas, the golden visa is not tied to a specific employer. Holders can change jobs, work for multiple employers, or transition to freelance work without affecting their residence permit.
What happens if I sell my property or lose my job before renewal?
If the qualifying criteria are no longer met at renewal time, the golden visa may not be renewed. For property investors, maintaining ownership above the threshold is essential. Professionals should ensure continued employment or transition to another qualifying category.
Can I sponsor parents and domestic workers?
Yes. Golden visa holders can sponsor family members including parents and can sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers (housemaids, drivers) according to regulations.