The Requirements for Obtaining a Golden Visa in the UAE

Meeting the golden visa requirements and eligibility is practically a guarantee of obtaining the document. The authorities updated certain rules to make the requirements for this type of visa more flexible. In this way, applicants can fall into one of the categories that are now broader.

In this article, you will learn about the Dubai golden visa requirements and the other Emirates in the nation. Likewise, you will learn what the eligibility criteria are according to the categories, as well as the financial aspects of the procedure.

Understanding the Eligibility Criteria

Before talking about the golden visa requirements, you need to understand what this document in the UAE is all about. This is a long-term residence visa (5-10 years), which allows eligible individuals to live, study, or work in the country. Golden visa holders in the UAE can enjoy the following benefits:

• Live in the country for the duration of the document, which can be 5 or 10 years.
• You do not need a sponsor.
• You can leave the country for more than 6 months without losing the validity of the visa.
• Ability to sponsor domestic workers.
• You can sponsor your family members, spouse, or children regardless of their ages.
• If the holder dies, family members can remain in the country for the duration of the golden visa.

The authorities expanded the eligibility criteria so that people belonging to specific categories can apply. Applicants must meet the UAE golden visa requirements determined for each category. Below we will show you the categories allowed for applying for a golden visa in the United Arab Emirates:

Investors

Two types of investors can apply for a golden visa in the nation, investors in the public sector and real estate. In the first case, investors must do so in an investment fund with specific financial criteria. These investors must provide proof of health insurance and have full ownership of the invested capital.

On the other hand, real estate investors must have a property investment of at least AED 2,000,000. However, those who purchase a property with a loan from a local bank authorized by the local entity can obtain a golden visa.

Entrepreneurs

The golden visa requirements for entrepreneurs include possessing a technical or innovative risk-based economic project. However, you must have a letter of approval from the following people and authorities:

• An auditor who certifies that the value of the project is not less than AED 500000.
• Certification by the authorities of the emirate in which the investment will be made indicates that it is a technical or future project.
• An incubator authorized to establish the activity that the entrepreneur has proposed.

Exceptional talents

Authorities also issue golden visas to exceptional talents, including inventors, innovators, and talents in certain fields. In the latter case, they include areas such as those we will mention below:

• Culture
• Art
• Sports
• Digital technology

Talents in these areas can apply for a visa regardless of their educational qualifications, professional level, employment status, or monthly salary. However, one of the golden visa requirements UAE for Exceptional Talents is the recommendation or approval of a federal or local government entity.

Researchers and scientists

Researchers and scientists with significant achievements or influence in their field also qualify to apply for a golden visa. However, in both cases, they must have the recommendation of the Scientific Council of the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, applicants must have a doctorate or master’s degree in engineering, technology, life sciences, or natural sciences.

Moreover, the degree must have been obtained from one of the best universities in the world and have significant achievements.

Professionals

Professionals or workers with high qualifications and sufficient experience and educational qualifications can apply for this visa. Next, we will show you the areas that fall within the category of professionals who want the golden visa:

• Medicine
• Science
• Engineering
• information technology
• Business
• Administration
• Education
• Right
• Culture
• Social Sciences

Applicants must have an employment contract and be within the first or second occupational level of the UAE. These levels are determined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE), which regulates labor relations. Two of the golden visa requirements are that the applicant must have a minimum bachelor’s degree and a monthly salary of AED 30,000 or more.

Outstanding students and graduates

Excellent students in UAE secondary education (at least 95% average) are also eligible for this visa. Likewise, university students with high grades at a university classified by the Ministry of Education as A or B are calcified. The cumulative GPA of the university student must be at least 3.5 for class A and 3.8 for class B.

In addition, outstanding students from foreign universities can apply for the visa as long as the said university is among the 100 best in the world. However, they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and must be no more than 2 years out of graduation.

Humanitarian pioneers

Humanitarian pioneers who meet the golden visa requirements Dubai or other Emirates can apply for it. In this case, these are distinguished members and employees of both international and regional charities. In both cases, they must have worked in said organizations for no less than 5 years.

Also, the authorities also include those who meet any of the following characteristics:

• Prominent members and employees of civil associations and public interest institutions.
• People who have received recognition from a local, regional, or international organization focused on humanitarian work.
• Individuals funding humanitarian work worth not less than AED 2 million or its equivalent.

Frontline Heroes

In this category are people who do healthcare work or frontline workers. These workers must have helped in extraordinary circumstances, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In this case, it includes nurses, physician assistants, laboratory technicians, pharmacologists, and personnel approved by the Office of Frontline Heroes.

Financial Requirements for the UAE Golden Visa

Golden visa requirements for certain eligible categories include those we will describe below:

• Those making public investments must have a deposit or capital of at least AED 2000000. Make an annual payment to the Federal Tax Authority for a total amount of AED 250000.
• Real estate investors must own one or more properties in the country with a minimum value of AED 2 million.
• For investors, one of the UAE golden visa requirements is to have a project with a minimum value of AED 500000.

Exploring the Business Requirements for the UAE Golden Visa

Investors must meet the golden visa requirements that we will describe below:

• To apply for a 10-year golden visa, the applicant must have a public investment of at least AED 10 million. In this case, it includes both investment funds and an investment in a company.
• Similarly, business partners who contribute AED 10 million each can also extend the 10-year visa.
• On the other hand, those who invest AED 5 million can obtain a golden visa with a validity of 5 years.
• Another requirement is that individuals must keep the amount for 3 years, so they should not lend it.
• Natural persons must also fully own the assets and must not have more than 60% in real estate.

Document Requirements for the UAE Golden Visa

The documents that you must submit when applying for a golden visa depend on the category. However, within the golden visa requirements common to each of those who fall within the eligibility criteria are:

• Passport of the applicant
• Emirates ID
• Copy of visa
• Photograph the same size as the passport
• Title deed for property owners
• Salary certificate
• No Objection Company certificate for salaried workers
• Professional and educational certifications
• Audit reports for investors

In the same way, you must meet other essential requirements to be able to apply for the visa, which are:

• Possess a valid health insurance policy
• A valid residence in the UAE
• Do not have considerable debts in the country

Academic and Professional Qualifications for the UAE Golden Visa

Golden visa requirements for some categories include the delivery of certificates of professional qualifications. Next, we will show you which categories require it and what certificates it requires:

• Outstanding students who wish to obtain a golden visa must have a minimum grade of 95%, both in public and private secondary schools.
• College students must have a GPA of at least 3.8 to apply for the visa.
• For CEOs, the requirement is to have a bachelor’s degree.
• Engineering and science majors must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Sponsorship and Dependent Requirements for the UAE Golden Visa

The UAE Golden Visa allows holders to live, work, and study in the country for the duration of the visa. Plus, you can do it without having a job with a local company, so you can live without working in the country. It means that the visa holder can work for a local company or work independently without the need for a sponsor.

On the other hand, holders of this type of visa can sponsor their parents, spouses, children, and domestic workers. This means that those you sponsor will be able to live in the country for the same years that the visa of the holder lasts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the UAE Golden Visa

If you meet the golden visa requirements UAE you can start applying at some of the qualified entities. Therefore, we will show you the three possible methods to apply for a visa in the country:

Online application through the ICA

The online application process on the Federal Authority website for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) is as follows:

1. Enter the official website of the ICA.
2. Go to Golden Visa in the Public Services section.
3. Next, select Visa to Complete the Golden Residency Procedures.
4. Then, you must fill out all the requested information.
5. Submit the documents that require the golden visa requirements.
6. Lastly, pay the service fees.

Upon completing the process, you must wait for approval from the authorities to obtain your golden visa. However, if you are outside the UAE, the ICA will issue a 6-month entry permit (renewable for 6 more months) to complete the application procedures.

Online application on the GDRFA website

Upon meeting the Dubai golden visa requirements or in other Emirates, you can apply at the GDRFA. In this case, you can visit the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and follow the steps that we will indicate:

1. Go to the GDRFA website.
2. You will need to select the golden visa form from the list of services.
3. Then, you must select Investor Residence Visa (Golden Visa).
4. Select Start Service, provide the necessary information, and submit the documents.
5. Next, pay the fees and wait for the authorities to contact you.

However, you can go to one of the authorized typing centers to have your request processed by professionals. If you meet the golden visa requirements, the authorities will send you a message and the original entry permit.

Property Ownership Requirements for the UAE Golden Visa

Owners of property or properties in the UAE can also obtain a renewable 5-year golden visa. Additionally, you will not need any sponsor but you must meet one of the following requirements:

• Submit a letter from the Land Department of the emirate in which you are applying for the visa. In it, you must indicate the possession of one or more properties with a value that cannot be less than AED 2 million.
• Buy a property using a loan from one of the banks approved by the competent local entity.

Renewal Requirements for the UAE Golden Visa

The renewal process for a golden visa allows you to extend it for the same period as the initial application. Below we offer 3 methods to request the renewal of the document:

GDRFA website

1. Go to the GDRFA website or the smart application.
2. Log in to the system using your username or a UAE Pass.
3. Select the service (golden visa renewal).
4. Then, complete the information requested by the system.
5. Pay the applicable fees.

Customer Happiness Centers

1. You will need to go to a customer happiness center in the relevant Emirate.
2. Get an automated turn ticket and wait your turn.
3. Submit the renewal application and documents to the customer service employee.
4. Pay the fees

Amer Service Center

1. Go to one of the Amer centers
2. Get an automated turn ticket and wait your turn.
3. Submit the renewal application and documents to the customer service employee.
4. Pay the fees

Tips for Meeting the Requirements of the UAE Golden Visa

Obtaining this document is not difficult if you meet all the golden visa requirements based on the category you qualify for. This is one of the most requested visas due to all the benefits it grants to the holder of said document. Some of the things you can do to meet the requirements to obtain a golden visa are:

• Be sure to check the requirements for the category you fit into.
• You must have a passport with sufficient validity, so renew it if necessary.
• Obtain the necessary educational qualifications and certify it with the relevant entity.
• Verify that you have all the documents before starting the procedures so that there are no delays.

Obtaining one of these visas depends on meeting the golden visa requirements according to the eligibility category. This visa allows you to obtain great benefits, such as sponsoring your family, working in the UAE, or enjoying the convenience of living in the country. If you have any questions or would like to consult us about employment issues in the UAE, you can contact us.