Residency by Investment
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden Visa Programme
Established in 2019, the UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreign talents 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 Golden Visa.
The UAE is well known for its solid economy attributed to its strategic location, strong financial reserves, large sovereign wealth fund, consistent government spending on infrastructure, progressive economic policies and increased foreign direct investment (FDI).
- Minimum investment
- AED 500,000 / AED 2,000,000
- Processing time
- 8 weeks
- Residence requirement
- Minimal
UAE Golden Visa Programme
Benefits of UAE Golden Visa
There are several key advantages for those applying to the UAE Golden Visa Programme*, including:
- The right to live in any of the seven emirates of the UAE.
- Receive an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance.
- Receive a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five or ten years.
- No sponsorship requirement.
- Minimal residency requirement.
- Ability to sponsor family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages.
- Ability to sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers.
- Family members may stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration if the primary holder of the Golden Visa passes away.
General Requirements
- Aged 21 or over
- Sufficient funds to make the investment
- Documentation to prove that all investment capital is legally sourced
- Health insurance that covers you in UAE
- Clean criminal record
Requirements for the Golden visa depend on the type of residence, whether investor, talent, entrepreneur, etc.
Investment Options
- 01
Investors in public investments
If you invest in an investment fund, you may be granted a Golden Visa for a period of ten years without a sponsor, subject to the:
- submission of a letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that the investor has a deposit of AED2 million, or
- submission of a valid commercial licence or industrial licence and a memorandum of association stating that the investor’s capital is not less than AED2 million
- submission of a letter from Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the Government no less than AED250,000 annually.
Additionally, you must:
- own the invested capital completely; it must not be a loan and
- provide proof of medical insurance for himself and his family (if any).
- 02
Real estate investors
If you own a property or a group of properties, you may be granted a Golden Visa for a period of 5 years, renewable on the same conditions and without a sponsor subject to the:
- provision of a letter from the land department of the respective emirate stating that he owns one or more properties whose value is not less than AED2 million
- purchase of a property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.
- 03
Entrepreneurs
If you are an entrepreneur, you may get a Golden Visa for a period of 5 years if you own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk and innovation. In addition, you must have an approval letter from each of the following:
- an auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than AED500,000
- the authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature
- an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.
- 04
Outstanding specialised talents
If you have an outstanding specialised talent, you may get a Golden visa for ten years.
Outstanding specialised talents include:
- Doctors
- Scientists
- Creative people of culture and art
- Inventors
- Executives
- Specialists in scientific fields
- Athletes
- Doctoral degree holders and
- Specialists in the fields of engineering and science.
Path to Citizenship
There is no standardised path to citizenship through the UAE Golden Visa Programme. The only possibility is through allowance of citizenship by discretion through the Nationality Act, which needs to come from the rulers of the United Arab Emirates.
Application Process
- 1
Step 1
Choose an Investment:
One of the most significant steps is to determine the investment path, whether you will make a direct investment in public investments, real estate or apply as an entrepreneur.
- 2
Step 2
Invest the Funds:
Make the required capital investment amount based on the investment route chosen.
- 3
Step 3
Source of Funds Verification:
Prepare documentation to prove that the investment funds were obtained through lawful means such as employment, business ownership, investments, inheritance, gift, etc.
- 4
Step 4
Application Form:
Applications must be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents.
- 5
Step 5
Due Diligence and payment of service fees.
- 6
Step 6
Application Submission.
- 7
Step 7
Initial Approval:
Pending initial approval of the application, the successful applicant receives a six-month multiple-entry visa.
- 8
Step 8
Complete the Golden Residency Procedures:
Applicants must travel to the UAE and apply for an ID card and undergo a medical check.
- 9
Step 9
Final Approval:
Once final approval is granted, successful applicants receive the residence visa.
The processing time for the residence application takes over eight weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Government Advisory
CS Global Partners – Government Advisory
CS Global Partners is the world leading international legal advisory firm, London-headquartered, providing high-net-worth individuals and families with citizenship and residency solutions. As a trusted partner of many governments, CS Global Partners works directly with governments and is mandated to promote some of the world’s longest-standing citizenship programmes, giving clients accurate, up-to-date guidance straight from the source.
For advice shaped by real expertise, contact CS Global Partners.
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