How to get golden visa in UAE – benefits, and cost

UAE golden visa is a long-term resident visa. Expats with the right skills can live, work or study with this golden visa in the UAE.

Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, students with good academic results, and frontline heroes are eligible for UAE golden visas.

This article covers:

• How to apply for a golden visa
• What are the benefits of a golden visa
• What’s the minimum required salary to apply for a golden visa
• What’s the processing time to get a golden visa
• What’s the total fee to get a golden visa

Where can you apply for a golden visa:

• eServices related to golden visa – Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security
• Find out if you are eligible for a golden visa– Abu Dhabi Residents Office
• Golden visa (Specialists in Engineering and Science) – GDRFA
• Golden visa (Investors) – GDRFA
• Golden Visa (Creative Specialists in Culture and Art) – GDRFA
• Apply for a recommendation of a golden visa (for creatives)– Ministry of Youth and Culture

Do you have any questions related to the golden visa? Please contact authority for identity, citizenship, customs and port security(ICP) or the UAE embassy.

You call Amer Dubai at this number 800-5111 if you are in the UAE. Or call this number +9714-313-9999 to contact Amer if you live outside of the UAE.

Related Links:

• UAE Cabinet approves Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners – WAM
• Golden Residency – Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security
• Golden visa in Abu Dhabi and ‘Thrive in Abu Dhabi’ programme – TAMM
• Discover the golden visa and its categories – Abu Dhabi Residents Office

So what benefits does UAE golden visa provide?

• It’s a multiple entry visa for 6 months. This visa can be changed to a resident visa.
• This golden visa is valid for 10 years. It’s a renewable visa.
• It’s a self-sponsored visa. So golden visa holder does not need a sponsor.
• A golden visa will be valid if the holder stays out of the UAE for more than 6 months.
• A golden visa holder can sponsor any family member regardless of age.
• A golden visa holder can sponsor any number of home assistants.
• Family members of the golden visa holder can stay in the UAE even if the holder dies.

Who can apply for a golden visa?

1. Investors

Real estate investors can apply for a golden visa in the UAE. The eligibilities are:

• Invest in a property worth at least AED 2 million, or
• Take a loan from a local bank and invest in property, or
• Buy a property from an approved local real state company worth at least AED 2 million

2. Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are also eligible for a golden visa if:

• The owner owns a start-up in the UAE which is registered as a Small and mid-size enterprise (SME). Company income needs to be at least AED 1 million, or
• Approval from the finance ministry as a startup, or
• Approval from an official business incubator as a startup

3. Highly qualified individuals

Innovators, highly skilled individuals, and artists, digitalization experts can apply for a golden visa based on their job situation, and monthly salary.

Any individual requires approval from local government to apply for a golden visa.

4. Scientists

Scientists and researchers can also apply for a golden visa. This requires approval from the emirates scientist council. Professionals with a Ph.D. degree will be eligible for the golden visa under the law.

5. Engineers:

Engineers from different fields are also eligible for a 10-year visa. They are as follows.

• Epidemiology and Virology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Big Data
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Electronics Engineering
• Genetic Engineering
• Biotechnology Engineering

6. Front line heroes:

Front-line heroes can apply for a golden visa if they meet the eligibility:

• A prestigious member of an international or national institute
• Member of the society which works for the benefit of the people
• Awarded for humanitarian work

Total fee to get a golden visa:

How much does it cost to get a golden visa? Well, it depends on the type of golden visa.

For people living in the UAE, a golden visa can cost between 2800 AED and 3800 AED.

For people living outside the UAE, a golden visa can cost between 3800 AED and 4800 AED.

Processing time to get a golden visa:

The minimum time to get a golden visa is 72 hours. It can take a month or more. Once the visa is approved, the next procedure is to do medical checkup and wait for the visa.