Golden Visa in Dubai, UAE

UAE Golden Visa Requirements: Who Can Apply?

The UAE Golden Visa requirements depend on the applicant's eligibility category. Investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, exceptional talents and outstanding students follow different criteria, so the first step is to identify the route that matches your profile. The main Golden Visa categories include: Public and business investors — subject to applicable investment, capital or tax-related criteria. Real estate investors — qualifying Dubai property investment of at least AED 2 million. Entrepreneurs — qualifying UAE SMEs, approved entrepreneurial projects or eligible previous ventures. Skilled professionals — subject to employment, professional classification, qualification and salary criteria. Exceptional talents — including eligible scientists, creatives, doctors, inventors, athletes and specialists. Outstanding students and graduates — based on academic performance and applicable education criteria. Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes — subject to the applicable recognition and eligibility requirements. The exact Golden Visa requirements in the UAE vary by category and application channel. Applicants should confirm the current eligibility criteria and required documents for their specific route before applying.

Real estate investors may qualify for a Dubai Golden Visa through eligible property ownership. Under the current Dubai Land Department requirements: Minimum AED 2 million qualifying Dubai property value. One or more eligible properties may meet the threshold. 10-year renewable residence. Mortgaged property may qualify subject to DLD requirements and bank documentation. Family sponsorship may be available subject to requirements.

Entrepreneurs may qualify for the Golden Visa UAE through different routes depending on their current or previous entrepreneurial activity. Under current UAE requirements, an applicant may qualify by meeting one of the applicable criteria: UAE-based SME — own or be a partner in an entrepreneurial venture registered in the UAE, classified as an SME in an approved field, with annual revenue of at least AED 1 million. Approved business idea — obtain approval for an entrepreneurial project idea from an accredited business incubator, the Ministry of Economy, ICP or a relevant local authority. Previous entrepreneurial venture — be the founder or co-founder of one or more entrepreneurial ventures previously sold for a combined value of at least AED 7 million. Supporting evidence depends on the eligibility route, and final approval remains with the relevant UAE authority.

Eligible skilled professionals may qualify for a Dubai Golden Visa based on their employment, professional classification, qualifications and salary. Current requirements for this category include: UAE employment — hold a valid UAE work permit under an approved employment contract. Professional classification — be classified at professional level 1 or 2 under the occupational classification approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Minimum salary — earn at least AED 30,000 per month, or the equivalent in another currency. Academic qualification — hold at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent, with the applicable recognition or attestation requirements. Salary evidence — supporting bank statements showing salary transfers may be required. Professional licence — applicants in regulated professions must hold the applicable licence to practise their profession.

Eligible creatives and specialised talents may qualify based on recognition in their field and approval or recommendation from the relevant UAE authority. Categories can include arts and culture, science, medicine, sports, technology and other specialised fields.

Outstanding students and eligible university graduates may qualify for the UAE Golden Visa based on their academic performance, institution and graduation date. Requirements vary by education category: Outstanding secondary school students — applicants generally need a Grade 12 certificate from an eligible UAE school and a minimum score of 95%, or its equivalent, together with the applicable education authority requirements. Graduates of UAE universities — eligible graduates must hold a recognised bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree. Current ICP criteria specify a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 for Category A universities and 3.8 for Category B universities. Graduates of international universities — the university must rank among the world's top 100 according to the ranking recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education. Eligible bachelor's degree graduates require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, or equivalent. Recent graduation — for applicable university graduate routes, no more than two years should have passed since graduation at the time of application. Academic qualifications and supporting documents must meet the applicable UAE education authority requirements.

Documents Required for the Golden Visa in UAE

The documents required for a Golden Visa UAE application depend on your eligibility category and the authority handling your application. Applicants should prepare the documents applicable to their specific Golden Visa route.

Common documents may include:

Passport and photograph
Property or investment evidence — for applicable investor routes
Employment, salary and qualification documents — for skilled professionals
Business or project evidence — for entrepreneurs
Nomination or recommendation documents — for applicable talent categories
Family relationship documents — when sponsoring eligible family members

Additional documents may be requested depending on the applicant’s category, circumstances and application channel. Check the current requirements for your specific UAE Golden Visa category before submitting the application.

How to Get Golden Visa UAE: 6-Step Process

The application process varies by eligibility category and authority. Here is a simple overview of how to apply for a Golden Visa UAE:

Check Your Eligibility

Identify the Golden Visa category that matches your profile and confirm the applicable requirements.

Prepare Your Documents

Gather the required documents for your category, including any investment, property, employment, academic or business evidence.

Complete Required Approvals

Obtain any nomination, recommendation or pre-approval required from the relevant UAE authority for your Golden Visa category.

Submit Your Golden Visa Application

Apply through the relevant channel, such as ICP, GDRFA Dubai or the Dubai Land Department, depending on your category and emirate.

Complete Residence Formalities

Complete the applicable medical examination, Emirates ID biometrics and other residence formalities. Once approved, your Golden Residence is issued.

Receive Your Golden Visa

Once all approvals and residence formalities are completed successfully, your Golden Visa is issued. You can then access your digital residence details and Emirates ID through the relevant UAE government channels.

How long does it take? Processing times vary by category, authority and individual application. For Dubai's property-investor Golden Visa service, the Dubai Land Department currently lists a service time of 7–10 business days.

Golden Visa UAE Price: Government Fees and Costs

The Golden Visa UAE price varies by eligibility category, application channel, emirate and whether additional services are required. There is no single government fee that applies to every applicant.

Here is the breakdown the Dubai Land Department publishes for a property investor’s 10-year residence.

Family Residence Fees

For the DLD property-investor route, family members have separate residence fees. The Dubai Land Department currently publishes:

Spouse or child residence: AED 5,774.50 per person
Parent residence: AED 5,774.50 per person
Family sponsorship file opening: AED 318.75

Health insurance, document attestation, translation and other applicable service charges may be additional. Government fees can change, so applicants should confirm the current charges before applying.

For a personalized golden visa UAE price that covers your visa, insurance and any company licence, use our calculator or speak to our team.

Why Choose Start Any Business for Golden Visa Services in Dubai

Applying for a golden visa in Dubai is easier with a partner that knows both the immigration side and the business side. Our golden visa services are built around what applicants actually need, not just the form:

Licensed and local. We operate as a licensed corporate service provider (License No. 927104) from our Al Barsha office in Dubai.
Category-first guidance — we help assess which Golden Visa route may fit your profile and requirements.
Paperwork checks. We review attestations, translations and name matches across your passport, contract and licence before submission.
Family application support — assistance with spouse, children and eligible parent applications where applicable.
Plain answers. If you are unsure how to get golden visa in UAE for your profile, we explain the route, the timeline and the cost before you commit.
Honest scope. Nominations are decided by UAE authorities. We prepare and coordinate your file; we do not sell approvals or promise outcomes.

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

The Golden Visa provides long-term residency for investors, professionals, and entrepreneurs who need 5 to 10 years of residency, while the regular visa grants only short-term access.

Yes, eligible applicants can begin the Golden Visa process from outside the UAE. The exact procedure depends on your eligibility category and the authority processing your application.

Your Golden Visa does not necessarily have the same expiry date as your passport. If your passport expires first, you should renew it and update your passport information with the relevant UAE immigration authority when required.

Eligible property investors may apply for a Dubai Golden Visa if they own one or more qualifying properties in Dubai with a total purchase value of at least AED 2 million, subject to current Dubai Land Department requirements.

The Golden Visa UAE price depends on the eligibility category, application channel and additional services required. For Dubai property investors, the Dubai Land Department publishes specific government fees for its 10-year Golden Residence service. Other categories may have different fees.

Key UAE Golden Visa benefits include long-term residence without a local sponsor, the ability to live, work and study in the UAE, eligible family sponsorship and greater flexibility for long-term residence. The applicable benefits and conditions depend on the holder's Golden Residence category.

Yes. Since the Golden Visa is not tied to a specific employer, changing jobs does not automatically cancel your residence visa. However, employment and work-permit requirements still apply when you work for a UAE employer.

What Is the UAE Golden Visa?

What Is the UAE Golden Visa?

UAE Golden Visa Requirements: Who Can Apply?

Documents Required for the Golden Visa in UAE