UAE Golden Visa – All the Essential Information

The UAE Golden Visa offers multiple advantages to foreign individuals who are currently residing in Dubai and across the UAE territory. In addition to that long list of benefits non-EUA residents can enjoy, the Emirati authorities are permitting Golden Visa holders to get a driver’s license in an easy, fast, cost-effective way.

In this article, you will learn how to obtain a driver’s license in a short time and without classes if you are a Golden Visa holder. Also, we will explain to you what a UAE Golden Visa is and how to be an eligible candidate. Furthermore, you will discover:

1. What is a Golden Visa?
2. Why opt for a UAE Golden Visa?
3. Why will Golden visa holders be allowed to obtain a driver’s license in less time?
4. New driver’s license benefits for Golden Visa holders
5. What is the process UAE Golden Visa holders should follow to get a driver’s license?
6. How can we help you get a UAE Golden Visa?

1. What is a Golden Visa?

The United Arab Emirates has become a territory for investment, technology, science, and the breeding of bright minds and successful professionals.  Therefore, in order to continue attracting top professionals in the financial, technological, cultural, and scientific fields, the UAE created the Golden Visa.

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So, this legal document allows talented individuals to reside in any part of the UAE territory for a long period. Unlike other visas, the UAE Golden Visa has a duration of 5-10 years depending on the candidate’s profile. Another feature of this document is that it allows applicants not to resort to a local sponsor to settle in the country.

Among the main benefits of the Golden Visa are the following:

• Multiple-entry permits
• 100% ownership for entrepreneurs and top executives
• Getting a driver’s license in a short time
• Beloved one’s visa extension
• Access to special aid and assistance programs
• Possibility to opt for a renewal
• Low cost compared to other country’s residential visas
• Ease for business formation in the country

Likewise, UAE Golden Visa offers a specific amount of permitted residential years according to the candidate’s profile. To clarify, there are two types of visa: a 5-year visa and a 10-year visa. Each one has a list of specific requirements that apply to them.

1.1 Golden Visa Cost

The UAE Golden Visa cost starts at AED 5,000. However, the price may vary according to the requirements and duration of the visa. In addition, it is important to add extra expenses such as additional fees, services charges, and payments for setting up a business like PRO services, business centers, and VAT registration.

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Nevertheless, it remains one of the most economical options for experienced investors, business owners, promising students, and forward-looking professionals who want to thrive in the UAE market.

1.2 Who can apply for a UAE Golden Visa?

Golden Visas are the product of UAE’s strategy to attract and retain the world’s most promising minds and investors. Therefore, there is a very specific list of requirements and profiles that the applicant must meet in order to successfully apply for a Golden Visa. On the other hand, these may vary according to the duration of the visa.

In the case of the 5-year visa, only the following can apply:

• Entrepreneurs
• Investors
• Outstanding college and secondary students

Similarly, the following individuals may apply for the 10-year visa:

• Entrepreneurs who have invested at least AED 10 million capital in the Emirati market
• Individuals with specialized talents (doctors, inventors, scholars, artists, and researchers)

2. Why opt for a UAE Golden Visa?

Dubai and the rest of the UAE jurisdictions certainly have developed as one of the most financially prosperous and visionary countries. Over the last 5 years, the main purpose of the Emirati market is to become a leader in the investment, technology, and innovation field.

Consequently, thanks to their pro-migration policy, the UAE provides investors, students, specialized professionals, and entrepreneurs with endless resources to settle easily in an environment full of comfort, luxury, and competitiveness.

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As a result, by successfully opting for a Golden Visa, you will be gaining access to one of the most thriving financial markets worldwide. In addition, it will allow you and your family to settle safely in the UAE for a long-term period. Lastly, the normal legal procedures for permits, licenses would be much easier.

3. Why will Golden visa holders be allowed to obtain a driver’s license in less time?

Coming to the main topic, foreign residents were not allowed to get their driving license without completing the mandatory hours of classes before taking the driving test. However, following a recent tweet from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), UAE Golden Visa holders were allowed to obtain a license without taking the mandatory classes.

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As a result, Golden Visa holders can head straight to taking the driving test and forget about the previous lessons altogether, lengthening the list of benefits of this visa.

Nevertheless, the measure does not exempt Golden Visa foreign residents who have failed the exam. Those Golden Visa holders with a failed driving test result must take at least 4 hours of mandatory driving lessons before taking the driving test again.

3.1 Permission for swapping license

As part of this change from the RTA, a modification was made to the list of countries eligible for a swapping license. That is to say, individuals of legal age with a legal driver’s license from their home country are also allowed to swap their permit for a local license if they come from one of the countries authorized by the UAE authorities.

Originally, the RTA had only allowed 32 countries to perform the Swap license. However, several countries were added to the list. Here we leave you the updated country list:

• Australia,
• Austria,
• Bahrain,
• Belgium,
• Canada,
• Denmark,
• Finland,
• France,
• Germany,
• Greece,
• India
• Ireland,
• Italy,
• Japan,
• South Korea,
• Kuwait,
• Netherlands,
• New Zealand,
• Norway,
• Oman,
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Poland,
• Portugal,
• Qatar,
• Romania,
• Saudi Arabia,
• South Africa,
• Spain,
• Sweden,
• Switzerland,
• Turkey,
• UK
• USA

4. New driver’s license benefits for Golden Visa holders

In addition to waiving the mandatory driving lessons to obtain a driver’s license, some benefits were added to the list to help foreign UAE Golden Visa holders. Some of them are:

4.1 Cost-effective process

Firstly, in the eyes of many Golden Visa holders, the measure allows many expatriates to obtain the permit requirements more easily, allowing foreign residents to save time and money in the process of obtaining a driver’s license in the UAE. Besides, this measure shortens the list of requirements that Golden Visa holders must submit to obtain a permit.

4.2 Short fast-track courses

Secondly, although experienced and inexperienced drivers with a Golden Visa can skip conventional driving lessons, the Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) provides short fast-track courses so that individuals can familiarize themselves with the roads, rules, and driving laws of the Emirates.

Lastly, if you do not have a valid driver’s license it is essential you take 20 hours of beginner training. Subsequently, the Emirates Driving Institute offers multiple courses for UAE Golden Visa holders who cannot drive. Among them are

1. Regular Driving Course
2. Night Driving Course
3. Weekend Driving Course (Friday or Friday & Saturday)
4. Shift Driving Course (flexible)
5. Gold Driving Course (VIP)
6. Gold Excellence Driving Course (VIP)
7. Platinum Driving Course (VIP)
8. In case you do have a Golden Visa and valid driver’s license from your homeland, you can just sign up for the Direct Test Course to get your permit.

5. What is the process UAE Golden Visa holders should follow to get a driver’s license?

Although there are fewer restrictions thanks to this new ARP measure, there are some requirements and steps you must follow to obtain your driver’s license quickly, easily, and economically. Therefore, you must submit some documents, take a driving test, pay some fees and opt for the license online or in person at the authorized facilities.

In the same vein, among the general steps UAE Golden Visa holders should follow are:

5.1 Requested documents

The first step to take for opting for a driver’s license is to compile the list of mandatory documents. To sum up, the list is very short and simple. In the case of UAE Golden Visa holders, the papers would be:

• Copy of previous driver’s license
• Results of the knowledge and road test
• Emirates ID of the applicant

5.2 Pay the correspondent fees

Similarly, there are different prices for each fee. It will depend on what you may need along the way to get your driver’s license. However, as a UAE Golden Visa holder, the expenses are much lower than in regular visas cases.

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For instance, the fees you must pay to take the Knowledge Test are Dh200 for RTA plus Dh20. Also, when taking the Road Test is Dh220 AED in total. In short, the total fees go around Dh 200 RTA plus Dh20 for test, knowledge, and innovation fees.

Other services fees to consider are:

• New driver’s license (Price may vary according to the age of the applicant)
• Electronic eye test
• Traffic file opening
• UAE driver’s handbook manual
• Driving license fees

5.3 Take the tests

There are different tests you must take to get your driver’s license in the UAE. Normally the tests to take are three: theory, parking, and road. Normally, the applicant has to take mandatory training classes, whether the applicant has experience or not.

In the case of UAE Golden Visa holders, there is no need for taking the training courses. That is to say, there are some fast-track courses experienced and non-experienced Golden Visa drivers can take.

Further, you can take the knowledge test in person at any of the authorized facilities. Some of the authorized driving centers you can find in Dubai are:

• Excellence Driving Centre,
• Emirates Transport Driving Institute, Al Ahli Driving Centre
• Galadari Motor Driving Centre branches
• Belhasa Driving Centre branches
• Dubai Driving Centre branches
• Dubai International Driving Centre or Drive Dubai

You can also take the knowledge test online through the official RTA website. After passing the Knowledge test, it will be time to take the road and parking test. Approving both will mean getting your driver’s license in a short time.

6. How can we help you get a UAE Golden Visa?

Now you know the benefits a UAE Golden Visa can provide to foreigners, it is time to apply for one. From fewer requirements in getting a driver’s license to, most importantly, a long-term opportunity for staying in the Emirati territory, applying for a Golden Visa can change your life completely.

If you have a suitable profile, the first step before applying for a Golden Visa is getting the right counseling to help you through the process. With over 20 years of experience, Connect Zone has experience in guiding entrepreneurs, investors, students, and talented professionals in the process of establishing themselves in the UAE Mainland and Free Zones successfully.

Furthermore, if you would like to set up a business further, we can assist you too. We offer Local Partner services, Business Centers, and VAT registration systems to local partners, we ensure 24/7 support during the entire company formation process.

Would you like to contact Connect Zone to know how to get a Golden Visa and get your UAE driver’s license faster? In case you have any questions, call us on +971 43 316 688. Moreover, you can email us at contact@connectzone.ae, and you will talk to one of our representatives who will answer your questions.

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