UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign talent to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes are among those eligible for the UAE Golden Visa.
Continue reading to learn about the requirements and benefits of the UAE Golden Visa and how to digitally apply for it.
The UAE’s long-term residency program known as Golden Visa has generated significant interest from expats. The cost to get the 10-year visa is quite competitive when compared to similar schemes elsewhere.
What is the cost of UAE Golden Visa
For applicants currently in the UAE, the 10-year visa will cost between AED 2,800 and AED 3,800. But for applicants outside of the UAE, the Golden Visa will cost between AED 3,800 and AED 4,800, says Nazar Musa, CEO of PRO Partner Group.
“This is a government processing fee, hence the additional cost for applications from outside the country. The exact amount is also dependent on the category in which the applicant is applying.”
The UAE’s immigration authority, according to Musa, will review the application with relevant government departments and in the event of the application being rejected, the applicant will receive a partial refund.
In addition, the applicant will have to pay around AED 1,000 for a medical check-up and Emirates ID processing fee. They will also be required to have UAE health insurance, the price of which varies but starts around AED 800.
Who is Eligible for UAE Golden Visa?
Currently, the 10-year UAE Golden Visa is awarded to seven categories of people – property investors, entrepreneurs, individuals with exceptional talent, scientists, professionals, outstanding students and graduates and contributors to humanitarian causes.
To apply for the Golden Visa, the applicant should fall into one of the following categories:
- A property investor must have invested over AED 2 million in properties;
- An entrepreneur should be the owner or partner in an SME with annual revenues of no less than AED 1 million or a founder of a firm that has been sold for no less than AED 7 million;
- Exceptionally talented individuals in the fields of culture, art, sports, digital technology;
- Scientists,
- Professionals in the field of IT, business, education law, culture, science, and engineering, etc. with a minimum salary of AED 30,000;
- Outstanding students and graduates; and
- People who are distinguished members of international and regional organizations.
Advantages of UAE Golden Visa
The Golden Visa holders have some special advantages as they can sponsor their family members, including spouses and children regardless of their age, and domestic staff without limiting their number. Furthermore, there is no restriction related to the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE in order to keep the UAE Golden Visa valid. There are other benefits for family members, such as they can stay in the UAE in the event of the death of the original holder of the Golden Visa until the end of their permit duration.
