Sub-service · Residence visas · Golden

Golden Visa in the UAE

The Golden Visa is a 10-year, renewable, self-sponsored residence visa. It detaches residency from a single employer: holders live, work and study in the UAE without a national sponsor and can sponsor their spouse, children and support staff. Nominations run through ICP and the specialised committees — investment thresholds are set by category.

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Updated September 2026 · market data verified methodology

Validity: 10 years renewable, self-sponsored
Family: Included spouse, children, support staff
Sponsor: Not required holder is their own sponsor
Main track: AED 2M+ investment or property value

UAE residence · general

Benefits and requirements of a UAE residence visa

Benefits

Legal UAE residency for the route's term — renewable while conditions hold
Family sponsorship: spouse, children and, on many routes, parents
0% personal income tax on salary and earnings
UAE bank account, credit cards and a local driving licence
Multiple entries with no travel restrictions while the visa is active
Access to insurance-based private healthcare and government centres

Requirements

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Medical insurance accepted in the UAE
Entry permit with a change of status, in country or abroad
Medical fitness test at a UAE health centre
Emirates ID registration with biometrics
Route-specific proof of eligibility and a clean immigration record

General rules for UAE residence visas — each route and emirate applies its own conditions, and this page covers this visa’s specifics below.

Process

How the investor visa process goes

Check the category
day 0

Match your profile to a nomination track — property, investment, talent or study — and assemble the category-specific proof.
Get the nomination
1–3 weeks

Property owners file through the Dubai Land Department channel; talents through their council; investors through the Ministry of Economy.
File with ICP
3–5 days

Submit the Golden Visa application with passports, Emirates ID biometrics and medicals for each family member.
Receive the residency
1–2 weeks

10-year Emirates ID issued; family files ride on the holder's nomination.

Typical package sequence in the snapshot: License registration → Establishment card → Investor visa → Corporate bank account (1,833 of 2,047 packages follow this order).

Zones

Where packages include the investor visa

Route	Who qualifies	Validity
Property investor	Real estate of AED 2M+ (completed, or off-plan from approved developers)	10 years
Investor / business owner	Investment of AED 2M+ or a company with AED 500k capital and strong performance	10 years
Specialised talent	Science, engineering, health, education, IT, culture or sport — approval by the relevant council	10 years
Exceptional student	Top graduates from accredited UAE universities with endorsement	10 years
Humanitarian pioneer	Distinctive field members and humanitarian organisations' staff	10 years

Programme rules as of 2026 — confirm current thresholds with ICP or the free zone before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a UAE company for a Golden Visa?

Not necessarily. Property owners and nominated talents are self-sponsored without a company. Investors may qualify through their business, and many Golden Visa holders later add a company for banking and operations.

Does the property need to be paid off?

The AED 2M threshold is based on the property value; mortigated properties qualify when the down payment and the developer's approval meet the programme's conditions.

Can I include my family?

Yes — spouse and children are included, and Golden Visa holders may also sponsor domestic support staff.

Do I have to live in the UAE to keep it?

The visa stays valid regardless of stay pattern, but long absences can affect renewal assessments and Emirates ID services.

Free zone vs mainland company Where the business route is easier Investor visa The 2-year company-tied alternative Company setup Add a company for banking and operations

Planning an investor visa for your company?

We match the license package to your visa plan — quota, family sponsorship and bank account in one scope.