Who is eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?

The categories and their main criteria, from the federal immigration authority (ICP): [1]

Category Main criteria
Investors AED 2 million deposited in a UAE investment fund or national bank; or a UAE company with AED 2 million capital; or a partner's share of AED 2 million; or a company paying at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes. The money must be your own, not borrowed. [1]
Property owners Property worth AED 2 million or more, registered in your name. Property bought with a loan from an approved local bank counts, as does off-plan property worth AED 2 million or more from an approved local developer.
Entrepreneurs A UAE small or medium business with revenue of at least AED 1 million a year; or a founder of past ventures sold for at least AED 7 million in total; or a project approved by an accredited incubator, the Ministry of Economy or a relevant local authority.
Skilled professionals MOHRE skill level 1 (chairpersons, chief executives) or 2 (specialists), a valid work permit and contract, a bachelor's degree, and a salary of at least AED 30,000 a month
Outstanding students and graduates School leavers with at least 95% in Grade 12; graduates of a top-100 world university with a GPA of 3.5 or more within two years; graduates of qualifying UAE universities
Scientists and specialists Scientists, researchers and specialists in industry, health or education, recommended by the relevant body (such as the Emirates Scientists Council or the Ministry of Health and Prevention)
Exceptional talents Culture, arts, sport, innovation and digital technology, shown through awards, recognition or a professional track record
Humanitarian pioneers 5 or more years as a member or outstanding employee of an international, regional or non-profit organisation, or contributions of AED 2 million or more. ICP also lists a university degree.
Frontline workers Listed by ICP, with no published criteria

Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development states the same AED 30,000 salary for skilled professionals. [4]

How long does it last? Is it permanent residence?

  • The term. ICP describes the Golden Visa as 10 years and renewable. [1] The federal government portal describes it as "a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years". [2]
  • Renewal. GDRFA Dubai says it can be extended if the same conditions are still met. [3]
  • Not permanent residence, not citizenship. Neither ICP nor the federal portal calls it permanent residence. Holding it gives no route to UAE citizenship. Under rules announced on 30 January 2021, foreigners acquire UAE citizenship only through nomination by the Rulers' and Crown Princes' Courts, Executive Councils and the Cabinet. [1][2][5]
  • The "lifetime" story was false. Reports in July 2025 of a "lifetime Golden Visa" for certain nationalities were denied by ICP. It described them as false rumours with no legal basis. [6]

How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost?

There's no official total. The published fee lines include: [3][7][8]

  • GDRFA Dubai:
    • residence permit fee AED 1,100, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and AED 20 delivery
    • AED 500 if you apply from inside the UAE
    • AED 100 more for each year above two
  • ICP (other emirates): AED 100 per year of the permit, plus an application fee and a smart service fee of AED 100 each.

The medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance and, for property, Dubai Land Department charges are extra.

How long does approval take?

GDRFA Dubai gives an expected completion time of 5 days for investors and 48 hours for scientists, specialists and skilled professionals. [3][8]

How do I apply for the UAE Golden Visa?

The usual steps: [9][3][10]

  1. Check eligibility and apply online with ICP (Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates), or in Dubai online with GDRFA Dubai, at an Amer centre or, for property, at a Dubai Land Department accredited centre.
  2. If you're outside the UAE, you can be issued a six-month multiple-entry visa, renewable for six months, to complete the process.
  3. Receive approval.
  4. Cancel any existing UAE residence visa, after which your status is changed.
  5. Medical test (aged 18 or over) and health insurance.
  6. Fingerprints, if asked.
  7. Emirates ID, delivered to your registered address.

Documents depend on the category, alongside your passport. Examples from GDRFA Dubai: [3][8]

  • a property status statement from the Dubai Land Department, for property owners
  • a bank certificate showing the AED 2 million deposit is frozen, for investors
  • an audited financial report and a trade licence, for business owners
  • a work contract, degree and six months of salary statements, for skilled professionals

ICP states that applications must go through official government channels only. [6]

Family sponsorship and health insurance

  • Family. Holders can sponsor their spouse, their children regardless of age, and their parents. Domestic workers can be sponsored under the applicable regulations. [1][2]
  • If the holder dies, sponsored family members may remain in the UAE for the validity of their residence permits. [1]
  • Health insurance is required for investors, entrepreneurs and specialists, and their families. [1]

Benefits, and the conditions to keep in mind

Benefits:

  • No sponsor. You don't need an employer or a family member to sponsor you.
  • Time abroad. You can stay outside the UAE for more than six months, while the visa is valid. [3][2]
  • Family. Your spouse, children of any age and parents can live with you. [1]

Conditions to keep in mind:

  • You must keep what qualified you. For Dubai investors, GDRFA places a lien on the qualifying property, which can't be sold during the 10-year residency. A qualifying deposit can't be withdrawn in that time. [3]
  • Skilled professionals. The visa is cancelled if your salary falls below AED 30,000 or the contract is cancelled. [8]
  • Don't let it lapse abroad. The exemption from the 180-day rule applies only while the visa is valid. [3]

Notes by nationality

ICP's criteria make no reference to nationality. [1] What differs is your home country's rules:

Is the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa on hold?

We've found no official notice of a pause. Abu Dhabi's Golden Visa pages were live and taking nominations in October 2026. [4]

How Marlborough Gulf helps

What we do:

  • We form and run the UAE company that the investor and entrepreneur routes rely on.
  • We prepare the supporting documents, and coordinate the application with your wider plan.

What others do: ICP and GDRFA Dubai decide every application. We don't issue visas and can't promise an outcome.

Book a consultation

Questions people ask

How do I get the UAE Golden Visa as an Indian?

In the same way as any other nationality: by meeting one category's criteria and applying through ICP or GDRFA Dubai. ICP's criteria make no reference to nationality, and ICP called the July 2025 reports of AED 100,000 golden visas for certain nationalities false. [1][6]

What is the minimum salary for a Golden Visa?

AED 30,000 a month for skilled professionals, with a MOHRE skill level 1 or 2 job and a bachelor's degree. [1][4]

How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost?

GDRFA Dubai's residence permit fee is AED 1,100, with extra for each year above two and for applying from inside the UAE. Medical, Emirates ID and insurance costs are extra. [3]

Does the Golden Visa lead to UAE citizenship?

No. Foreigners acquire UAE citizenship only through nomination by the Rulers' and Crown Princes' Courts, Executive Councils and the Cabinet. [5]

Can my parents live with me on a Golden Visa?

Yes, holders can sponsor their parents. [1]

This guide is general information. Golden Visa rules, categories and fees are set by the UAE authorities and change from time to time. Applications must be made through official channels.

Related guides

Sources

  1. ICP, What is the UAE Golden Residency?, updated 10 Sep 2026. https://icp.gov.ae/en/uae-golden-residency/
  2. u.ae, Golden visa, updated 28 Jul 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/golden-visa
  3. GDRFA Dubai, Issuing a golden residence permit (investors), updated 28 Oct 2026. https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/13914
  4. Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, For skilled professionals, updated 27 Oct 2026. https://www.added.gov.ae/en/live/long-term-residency/abu-dhabi-golden-visa/for-specialists/for-skilled-professionals
  5. Dubai Media Office, "UAE opens citizenship for investors, professionals, special talents", 30 Jan 2021. Opened 28 Oct 2026. https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2021/Jan/30-01/mohammed-bin-rashid
  6. The National, "UAE says reports of Dh100,000 golden visas for certain nationalities are false", 9 Jul 2025. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/07/09/uae-golden-visa-india/
  7. ICP, Issuing Residency Permit, updated 11 Dec 2024. https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64
  8. GDRFA Dubai, Issuing Golden Residence Permit (Specialized Scientists), updated 28 Oct 2026. https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/13916
  9. Gulf News, "UAE Golden Visa without a sponsor: ICP reveals 8-step guide", updated 27 Jul 2025. https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-golden-visa-without-a-sponsor-icp-reveals-8-step-guide-for-property-owners-1.500212534
  10. ICP, Golden Residency Guide, updated 10 Sep 2026. https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-golden-residency/
  11. HMRC, RDR3: Statutory Residence Test notes, updated 11 Jun 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdr3-statutory-residence-test-srt/guidance-note-for-statutory-residence-test-srt-rdr3
  12. IRS, U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad, updated 20 Oct 2026. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/us-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad
  13. Income Tax Department (India), e-filing help, Non-resident (residential status under the Income-tax Act 2025, section 6). https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/help/all-topics/e-filing-services/non-resident