Golden Visa Pathways
The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year, renewable residence visa designed for investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, and researchers. It separates your residency from your employment status.
Why the Golden Visa Matters
Historically, expatriate residency in the UAE was inherently tied to an employer (sponsorship) or a company license. If you lost your job or closed your business, your residency was cancelled, and you had a 30-to-60 day grace period to exit the country.
The Golden Visa allows you to live, work, or study completely independently. You can sponsor your spouse and children without age limits, and importantly, in the event of the primary holder's death, dependents can remain in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.
Primary Pathways (Updated 2024)
1. Real Estate Investor
Purchase a property (or portfolio of properties) in the UAE worth at least AED 2,000,000.
- 2024 Update: The previous requirement to have an AED 1M minimum downpayment for mortgaged properties was scrapped. You can now get the visa with a lower downpayment, provided the property value is ≥ AED 2M.
- Off-plan properties are eligible if bought from approved local real estate developers.
2. Entrepreneurs
For founders of economic projects of a technical or future nature.
- Own or be a partner in a startup registered in the UAE with annual revenues of at least AED 1,000,000.
- Alternative: Obtain approval for a startup idea from an official business incubator or the Ministry of Economy.
- Alternative: Have founded an entrepreneurial project that was sold for no less than AED 7,000,000.
3. Executive Professionals
For high-earning professionals across all disciplines.
- Must have a valid employment contract in the UAE.
- Must hold a Bachelor's degree (attested by MoFA).
- Must have a basic monthly salary of not less than AED 30,000. (Note: Many authorities strictly check 'basic' salary, not 'gross' allowance-padded salary).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to visit the UAE every 6 months?
No. Unlike standard residency visas that are cancelled if you stay outside the UAE for 180 consecutive days, Golden Visa holders are exempt from this requirement.
Does it lead to citizenship?
No, the Golden Visa is not a direct path to citizenship. UAE citizenship remains highly restricted and is generally granted only by nomination from Rulers' and Crown Princes' Courts.
Check Your Eligibility
Answer a few logic-gated questions to see if you qualify under any of the 8 pathways.
Run Eligibility Tool