The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden Visa due to its remarkable benefits is no less a dream for a huge crowd of entrepreneurs, and businessmen, with a constant curiosity to know its price structure. The extended residency together with tax exemptions and unmatched investment opportunities is what makes the golden visa a dream to many. But how much does UAE Golden Visa cost? Lets break down the investment requirements and explore the value of this exclusive residency program, so you can make an informed decision about this game-changing opportunity.
What is a Golden Visa in the UAE?
The Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa introduced by the UAE government to attract skilled professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals from around the world. These residence permits enable chosen foreign citizens to live and work in the UAE independent of local sponsor requirements. Each Golden Visa has 5 or 10 years of validity according to the candidate category which can be renewed after expiration for continuous long-term residence in the UAE.
This initiative was taken in 2019. Multiple categories of applicants can obtain the Golden Visa through its diversity of eligibility specifications for professional and investment expertise, enabling residents to develop long-lasting personal and professional relationships within the country because it supports talent preservation and economy expansion. It welcomes individuals who enhance economic growth and knowledge advancement and social progress in the country.
Who is Eligible for UAE Golden Visa?
Eligible individuals include:
- Real estate investors
- Business investors and company shareholders
- Entrepreneurs and startup founders
- Highly skilled professionals (e.g., doctors, engineers, scientists, IT specialists)
- Academics and researchers
- Creative professionals (e.g., artists, designers, performers)
- Outstanding students and graduates
- Humanitarian pioneers
- Frontline heroes (e.g., medical and emergency response workers)
All nationalities are eligible, selection is based on merit, not citizenship
UAE Golden Visa Requirements
It grants permanent residency to people who bring substantial economic value through their social development along with innovation and investment in the country. Different applicants can qualify for the UAE Golden Visa through professional or investment backgrounds, but they must meet the eligibility criteria, including both general and category-specific requirements:
General Requirements for All Applicants
All applicants need to fulfill the following requirements along with specific guidelines per individual program category.
- A valid passport with a minimum of six months’ validity
- A clean criminal record, free from legal violations or pending cases
- Valid health insurance coverage in the UAE
- If residing in the UAE, a valid residency visa at the time of application
Category-Specific Requirements
Investors
People who invest in the UAE economy through business or investment funds can obtain a 10-year Golden Visa with following specified conditions:
- The investment requirements for investors amount to 2* Million AED.
- Proof of funds that don’t originate from loan financing.
- Licenses as well as a memorandum of association showing capital composition.
- A certificate issued by the Federal Tax Authority shows that annual tax contributions reach or exceed AED 250,000*.
Real Estate Investors
Real estate investors could apply for a five- year golden visa if:
- Having property worth at least AED 2* million through investment in real estate sector.
- Finance the purchase approving a loan from a local bank accepted by the competent authority.
- A letter to verify real property ownership issued by the land department of the emirate
Entrepreneurs
Eligible for the five-year Golden Visa are entrepreneurs who develop innovative projects focused on future developments. Required documentation includes:
- The auditing document demonstrating a project worth no less than AED 500,000*.
- Certification from appropriate emirate authorities defining it as technical or forward-thinking in nature.
- A letter issued by a business incubator authorized by UAE authorities.
Outstanding Specialized Talents
This class includes persons with remarkable accomplishments in healthcare and scientific fields together with engineering and artistic disciplines and athletic endeavors. Specific requirements include:
- Doctors: Approval from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.
- Scientists: Recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence Government.
- Creative professionals: Approval from the relevant Department of Culture and Arts.
- Executive Directors: Bachelor’s degree accreditation from the Ministry of Education together with five years’ work experience in the same role along with valid work contract and AED 50,000* minimum monthly salary.
- Engineers and Scientists: An appropriate field-specific bachelor’s or master’s degree certification together with a valid employment contract.
Outstanding Students
Students from domestic as well as international backgrounds can secure eligibility through particular requirements:
- Outstanding high school students who achieve national topper status with minimum grades of 95% recommended by Ministry of Education.
- University students from accredited UAE institutions and a GPA between 3.5 (A-class universities) or 3.8 (B-class universities) and recent graduation (within two years).
- Graduates from top 100 universities with a GPA greater than 3.5 and Ministry of Education accreditation
Pioneers of Humanitarian Work
Any person who has achieved exceptional humanitarian work can enter this visa category. Candidates are required to fulfill at least one of the specifications.
- Have worked minimum five years as a staff member for international humanitarian organizations as well as regional humanitarian organizations.
- The prerequisite for civil service in public interest institutions served for at least five years.
- Have presented have been awarded with recognition by Organizations within the humanitarian sectors.
- Contributions of at least AED 2* million dedicated to humanitarian causes had been done.
Frontline Heroes
The relevant government body can recommend eligible medical workers along with support staff to obtain the Golden Visa program based on their dedication in crises like pandemic emergency, to earn permanent residency rights. The application is open to nurses together with lab technicians, pharmacologists as well as certified other healthcare personnel.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa allows foreign residents to obtain a long-term visa that allows them to work alongside living their children in UAE schools without needing a citizen sponsor. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for the UAE Golden Visa:
Determine Your Eligibility Category
The initial step to requires determining which eligibility group best fits your application. The UAE Golden Visa includes availability for different categories of applicants. You must select an eligibility category that matches your personal profile since each option has unique qualifications.
Gather the Required Documentation
Once you’ve identified your eligibility category, you need to gather all the required documents to provide the eligibility. Passports, visas, academic or professional credentials, investment records, proof of job or business, proof of UAE health insurance, and other necessary papers are required to prove eligibility. Validation of every document by verifying both their accuracy and current status help expedite applications during the assessment period.
Submit a Nomination Request
If you have not been nominated by a government body or official, you will need to submit a nomination request by accessing the Federal Authority for Identity. This can be done through the Federal Authority for identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. Once nominated, you can proceed with your application.
Apply Online
The online application must be filed after receiving confirmation about your eligibility status or nomination from authorities. For your application you can choose from two options: the ICP portal or the GDRFA platform. Complete the online application through the internet portal under “Golden Residence” section by providing all necessary information.
Pay the Applicable Fees
The online application demands payment of various charges starting from visa processing costs, medical examination expenses ending with Emirates ID release costs alongside basic administrative fees. Online payments are available after application completion through the available portals.
Complete Medical Tests and Biometric Registration
It requires you to attend a medical fitness test at authorized health centers. The necessary health requirements of the UAE are verified through this medical examination. The Emirates ID process will require you to give both biometric data and photograph and fingerprints for registration purposes.
Receive Your Visa and Emirates ID
The UAE Golden Visa together with your Emirates ID will be issued to you once your application approval is done. Your long-term residency status will be verified through these documents which provide access to benefits including family sponsorship and healthcare and government service eligibility.
Documents Required for UAE Golden Visa
The required paperwork for all applicants differs by application category yet contains fundamental items which include:
- Valid passport with at least six months’ validity
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Valid UAE residency visa (for current residents)
- Health insurance covering the UAE
- Emirates ID (for current residents)
- Completed Golden Visa application form
- Medical fitness certificate from an approved UAE health center
- Payment receipt for visa and Emirates ID fees
UAE Golden Visa Cost Overview
The costs for obtaining the UAE Golden Visa depend on eligibility criteria and investment decision and any supplementary supporting services. Typically, government fees for a 10-year visa range between AED 5,000* and AED 10,000*. The following list details the expenses related to UAE Golden Visa acquisition:
General Costs
The minimal government fee required for obtaining a 10-year Golden Visa lies between AED 5,000* and AED 10,000* based on visa specification needs.
Additional Costs
- Medical Examination: For medical assessment purposes applicants must pay AED 700* since the test is mandatory to prove their residency eligibility.
- Emirates ID (10 years): AED 1,153*
- Visa stamping Fees: It varies according to which emirate you choose along with the selected service provider.
- Professional Services fees: Additional service fees from professional experts will be charged if you decide to use their application services.
- Translation and Attestation Services: Additional services like document translation and attestation will cost between AED 500* and AED 1,000*.
- Application Processing Fees: Charges for smart and electronic services, usually around AED 1,155*.
Additional Costs for Specific Categories
Costs relating to specialized talents depend on which professional category you apply from (doctors, scientists, etc.)
- Entrepreneurs: Business founders need to submit authority agreements together with an audited assessment of their business project’s worth. The charges for skilled professionals depend both on their occupational field and fulfillments of specialized eligibility requirements.
- Students, Humanitarian Pioneers, and other categories: The expenses fluctuate according to specific category requirements.
Other Considerations
- Health Insurance: Mandatory for all Golden Visa holders, with premiums ranging from AED 1,500* to AED 5,000* annually, depending on the coverage.
- Family Sponsorship: Spouse, children, and domestic workers under your visa, can be sponsored with additional fees for each dependent.
Specific Example Costs
- Visa Application and Issuance Fees (10-Year Visa):
- Within UAE: AED 2,800* – AED 4,800*
- Outside UAE: AED 3,800* – AED 4,800*
- Within UAE: AED 2,800* – AED 4,800*
- Medical Examination: AED 250* – AED 700*, depending on service.
- Emirates ID: AED 1,000* – AED 1,500*, depending on the visa duration.
- Health Insurance: AED 1,500* – AED 5,000* annually.
- Translation and Typing Services (Optional): AED 500* – AED 1,000*.
Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa
- Long-Term Residency (10 Years): The renewable 10-year UAE Golden Visa establishes a secure base which helps residents both personally and professionally. It offers people and their families more than ten years to fully establish themselves within the UAE community while developing professional goals and establishing businesses.
- Visa-Free Travel & Global Mobility: Golden Visa holders obtain easy global access because they can enter more than 150 countries without visas or by using simplified arrival procedures. The flexible components of this program simplify international business travel which aids global enterprises in operational management and enterprise expansion.
- No Sponsor Required: UAE Golden Visa abolishes the requirement for investors to have local sponsorship in order to live and work in the country. Foreign investors entrepreneurs along with professionals receive independent status through which they can freely operate within the UAE for business management purposes.
- Tax-Free Personal Income: Pressing among the Golden Visa benefits is its full absence of personal income taxation exemption. Professionals and investors choose to establish themselves in the UAE due to its tax-free policies on salaries and freelance and investment earnings
- Family and Domestic Workers Sponsorship: Golden Visa provides the privilege to those holders who can support their spouse and children together with certain potential inclusion of parents and sibling sponsorship. They may obtain sponsorship for their housemaids and drivers to ensure their family lives comfortably in the UAE.
- Access to Premier Healthcare & Education: Golden Visa holders and their families acquire entry to top healthcare and educational facilities in the UAE. The discounts offered to children pursuing education at high-ranking international educational institutions enable Golden Visa holders to provide their children with excellent learning opportunities.
Conclusion
The UAE Golden Visa offers a wealth of opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals seeking long-term residency in one of the world’s most dynamic economies. While the cost of obtaining a Golden Visa depends on the type of investment you choose. From long-term residency and tax-free personal income to exclusive access to healthcare, education, and real estate, the UAE Golden Visa presents a unique opportunity for those looking to establish themselves in the UAE. Understanding “How much does UAE Golden Visa cost?” is crucial, as it allows you to plan your investment and take full advantage of the incredible perks that come with this prestigious residency program.
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FAQs
How Much Does UAE Golden Visa Cost?
The UAE Golden Visa typically costs between AED 5,000* and AED 10,000* for a 10-year residency, excluding additional processing and medical fees. It also grants access to premium healthcare and education services, adding long-term value for families and investors.
What are the Benefits of UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency, business stability, and access to top-tier services. The visa can also provide benefits like sponsoring family members, easier travel, and access to premium healthcare and education in the UAE.
How to Apply for a Golden Visa UAE?
To apply for a UAE Golden Visa, check your eligibility based on your profession or investment status, then submit your application via the ICP portal. Ensure all required documents are in order and complete the medical and fee procedures for approval.
