Through the golden visa in the Emirates, which grants some categories of foreigners long-term residence if certain conditions are met, the United Arab Emirates seeks to facilitate residency and investment operations for foreigners with the goal of highlighting the country’s pioneering and unique role as a global strategic economic center.
The restrictions for getting a golden resident visa in the UAE, as well as the categories eligible for it, are continually changing depending on the country’s conditions and periodic requirements.
In a previous article, we evaluated the most important characteristics of the UAE Golden Visa, as well as several conditions and categories based on recent UAE regulatory amendments.
We also emphasized that the quickest approach to obtaining a golden visa is to contact one of our Freezoner experts, which will save you time and money. Where a qualified person will notify you of your eligibility for the conditions and support you from the start until you receive your visa.
In this crucial essay, we go over the requirements for acquiring a golden visa in the UAE, as well as all eligible categories, based on the most recent changes to the country’s legislation.
2023 UAE golden visa requirements
After His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the permanent residence system with the “Emirati Gold Card” in 2019, this system has seen a number of revisions in an effort to incorporate outstanding individuals and those with promising ideas in the development process.
The most recent upgrade to the UAE’s golden residence system for foreigners, which took effect in April 2022, is the most flexible ever, as it incorporates new amenities and categories.
Foreigners applying for a golden resident visa in the UAE must meet a number of requirements, depending on their category.
For example, if you are a real estate investor, you must submit proof of ownership of real estate assets worth at least 2 million dirhams, according to the April 2022 amendments, which sought to simplify the criteria for obtaining a golden visa and broaden the range of categories eligible for the program by lowering the minimum investment. Before, the property was valued at 5 million dirhams.
In terms of real estate investment, it is important to demonstrate full ownership of the capital employed in the investment, as well as proof of the availability of fixed dwelling in the UAE (whether a contract of ownership or rent for a fixed property).
Ensuring that investors and their families have complete health insurance in the UAE for the duration of their stay and that everyone who applies for a visa must undergo a medical examination to guarantee that the application is safe and disease-free.
UAE golden visa categories 2023
According to recent system modifications for gaining permanent residence in the United Arab Emirates, there are a number of categories that qualify for the Emirates Golden Visa for the year 2023, with a length ranging from 5 to 10 years without a guarantor, and these categories are classified as follows:
Owners of public investments in the United Arab Emirates
When the following conditions are met, any foreign investor in UAE public investment funds is eligible for permanent residency for a period of ten years, subject to renewal:
- A valid commercial or industrial license, with the company’s incorporation contract in the Emirates, demonstrates that the proportion of capital invested is at least 2 million dirhams.
- A statement from the Federal Tax Authority that he owns or partners in the ownership of a facility and pays its taxes to the government on a regular basis, and that his contribution to the tax is not less than 250,000 dirhams per year.
- Own the invested capital completely; it must not be a loan.
- Proof of health insurance for you and your family is required (if any).
Real estate investors can obtain a golden residence in the UAE
Foreign real estate owners in the UAE can get a golden residency visa for 5 years, renewable, without a guarantor, under certain situations and after meeting the following requirements:
- A statement from the Real Estate Registration Department in the competent emirate saying that you possess one or more properties worth at least 2 million dirhams and that they are not subject to any loans.
- The property must be finished.
- If the property is mortgaged, the applicant must have paid more than half of the loan amount.
- Evidence of legal residency in the country (house ownership or lease contract).
Those who do not meet the preceding requirements can still obtain residency in the UAE for a period of two years by applying for:
A residence visa for a real estate investor in Dubai
This new system, announced by the Dubai Land Department in September 2021, is subject to certain conditions, the most important of which is ownership of a property in Dubai worth at least 750,000 dirhams.
The two-year investor residence system in Dubai allows the investor to obtain a visa that is valid for two years and can be renewed, and the investor can sponsor (the husband or wife) and children.
For a period of five years, retired expatriates may reside in the UAE
Residency for retired expatriates is a distinct case of applying for residency in the UAE, in which the expatriate can reside in the country for a period of five years under the following conditions:
- Not younger than 55 years old.
- He must have worked in the UAE or abroad for at least 15 years before being referred for retirement.
- Owning one or more properties in the UAE worth at least one million dirhams, or having financial savings worth at least one million dirhams, or receiving a monthly fixed income of 20,000 dirhams (15,000 dirhams in the Emirate of Dubai).
- Submit a 6-month account statement.
In this case, the expat can renew his residency for the same period under the same conditions and requirements.
Entrepreneurs that are breaking new ground
Entrepreneurs with proof of ownership or collaboration in one of the Emirates’ pioneering economic ventures of a technical or futuristic nature, focused on risk and creativity, can earn the Emirates Golden Visa for permanent residence.
This must be confirmed by many official papers, as follows:
- A statement from an auditor stating that the project’s ownership value is greater than half a million dirhams.
- Proof from the emirate’s relevant authorities that the project is of a technical and futuristic nature.
- In the position of the founder, a statement from an accredited business incubator or the emirate’s responsible authority stating that the initiative is pioneering and of a technical or futuristic nature must be presented.
The UAE’s golden visa for scientists and specialists
When the following qualifications are completed, distinguished doctors and outstanding scientists can receive a golden resident visa in the UAE for a duration of ten years:
- To practice the medical profession, doctors must submit a statement certified by the country’s Ministry of Health.
- Submitting a recommendation from the Emirates Council of Sciences or a statement from the Secretariat of the “Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prize for Scientific Achievement” indicating that the applicant has won the Medal of Academic Excellence.
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an international university with a recognized international categorization is the minimum educational level.
Golden Visa for extraordinary talent
Athletes, artists, innovators, and specialists in any field of culture, digital technology, or areas of strategic importance to the UAE have a great opportunity to obtain a golden residency visa, with no need for a work contract in the country and no minimum educational qualification, professional level, or salary. monthly, it is granted to talent exclusively.
The primary criteria for qualifying this category is the recommendation from the federal or local government agencies.
Talented Emirati students
Excellent secondary students with a high state rating and a grade of no less than 95% in a public or private school can receive a golden intermediate residence visa for themselves and their families for a period of 5 years without the requirement for a guarantor, as an outstanding university student can acquire a 10-year golden visa if they meet the following requirements:
- For high school pupils, a letter of reference from the Ministry of Education, Emirates Education Foundation, is required.
- If he intends to extend his residency, he must submit a statement of student registration at an Emirati university for a study period of more than 5 years.
- The university to which the student belongs must be classed as (A) or (B) according to the Ministry of Education’s categorization.
- A graduation certificate or other evidence of academic distinction for the applicant, with a GPA of at least 3.5 at A-ranked colleges and at least 3.8 at B-ranked universities.
- It must have been more than two years since graduating from university.
UAE golden visa requirements for top students and graduates
Outstanding graduates of foreign universities outside the Emirates have the option to get a golden visa to remain in the Emirates under the new long-term residence system for foreigners legislation.
To obtain a golden residency for international university graduates (top ones), the following requirements must be met:
- That the university be ranked among the top 100 in the world by the Ministry of Education’s approved international categorization.
- Bachelor’s degree graduates should have a cumulative average of at least 3.5 degrees.
- It hasn’t been more than two years since graduation.
- The Ministry of Education must authorize the certificate.
The UAE’s golden visa for Ph.D. holders
Ph.D. holders are eligible for a 10-year golden residence visa in the UAE if they meet the following criteria:
- A copy of your passport (clear scan in PDF format with at least 8-9 months validity).
- A duplicate of the residence visa.
- A copy of your Emirates ID.
- Passport-size photograph (white background, as per UAE immigration standards).
- Attested and Ph.D. certificate from UAE embassy origin country & MOFA (English).
- The Ph.D. provider must be from a known university.
Terms and conditions for applying for an executive director UAE Golden Visa
UAE executives who present the following documents will be granted a 10-year golden residency visa:
- Bring a copy of the university certificate attested by the Ministry of Education proving the completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience is required.
- A salary certificate worth at least 50,000 dirhams.
- A legally binding employment contract.
This list also included humanitarian pioneers, members of international and regional organizations, civil organizations of public benefit to society, and workers in the first line of defense in times of crisis, such as the “Corona pandemic,” who were granted long-term golden residency with the approval of the appropriate authorities.
You can contact us from this page if you need advice or clarification about golden residency, or if you want to set up a business in the UAE.
Note: This information is one of the most recent revisions in the golden visa system as of March 19, 2023.