Dubai: If you are new to the UAE, you may have heard of the UAE’s Golden Visa, a long-term residence permit. But did you know that there are several additional benefits you can benefit from as a Golden Visa holder?

Introduced as part of the UAE’s strategy to attract and retain investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and exceptional global talent, the Golden Visa is designed to support long-term residency and strengthen the country’s position as a global hub for business, innovation and knowledge-based industries.

Here is all you need to know about the Golden Visa and its benefits.

What is the Golden Visa?

The UAE’s ‘Golden visa’ is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign talents to live, work or study in the UAE, as stated by u.ae, the UAE government’s official website. Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes are among those eligible for the Golden visa.

Here’s a breakdown of the many benefits you can enjoy from the UAE Golden Visa:

1. Long-term residency (5 or 10 years)

Golden Visa holders receive a renewable long-term residency permit valid for either five or 10 years, depending on the eligibility category. At the end of the visa period, you can re-apply for the visa, provided you are still eligible to apply in the specific category.

2. No sponsor required

While your employment or residence visa requires a sponsor, the Golden Visa is a self-sponsorship visa, which means that you have greater flexibility to change jobs and stay in the country for your visa duration.

3. Ability to stay outside the UAE for more than six months

The general rule is that if an expatriate resident lives outside the UAE for more than 180 days continuously, his/her residence visa will be nullified, automatically. If this happens, they will have to apply for a new entry permit to enter the UAE again.

However, this requirement is not applicable if you are a Golden Visa holder, giving you greater flexibility to travel.

4. Family and domestic worker sponsorship

The UAE Golden Visa is designed not just for the individual, but for the entire family. Once the primary applicant secures their 10-year residency, they have the right to sponsor their family members for the same duration.

You can also sponsor an unlimited number of household helpers, like maids, nannies and drivers.

5. Additional consular support abroad

Last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced consular services that will be offered to UAE Golden Visa holders and their family members, which were previously only available to UAE nationals.

The new consular services include the issuance of an electronic ‘Return Document’ in case of a lost or damaged passport while abroad, as well as a dedicated hotline for direct communication and support, in cases of emergency and crisis. MoFA announced a dedicated 24/7 call centre - 0097124931133 to ensure immediate assistance when needed.

The services also cover the repatriation of mortal remains of Golden Visa holders who have died abroad, in coordination with relevant health and official authorities, to expedite procedures and alleviate the burden on the bereaved family.

Who is eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?

According to the ICP, these are the eligible categories that can apply for a Golden Visa:

Investors in Public Investments or Real Estate

Residency duration: 10 years (public investments) / 5 years (real estate investments)

Main requirements: Minimum capital of AED 2 million; property ownership or contribution to an establishment paying at least AED 250,000 annually in VAT or Corporate Tax to the Federal Tax Authority.

Required documents:

Public Investments

A letter from an approved investment fund confirming a deposit of no less than AED 2 million.

A valid commercial or industrial licence with the company’s Articles of Association (capital not less than AED 2 million).

Or a letter from the Federal Tax Authority confirming that the owner/partner pays an annual tax of no less than AED 250,000.

Real Estate Investors

A letter from the Real Estate Registration Department proving ownership of one or more properties valued at AED 2 million or more (without loans).

Proof of residence inside the UAE (property ownership or tenancy contract).

Entrepreneurs

Residency duration: 5 years

Main requirements: Innovative or technical projects, documents proving project value, and a letter from a business incubator or relevant authority in the emirate.

Required documents:

A letter from a certified auditor proving that the project value is no less than AED 500,000.

A letter from the competent authorities or an approved business incubator confirming that the project is innovative and technological/futuristic.

A valid passport copy.

Proof of residence inside the UAE (property ownership or tenancy contract).

Exceptional Talents and Rare Specialisations

Residency duration: 10 years

Who can apply: Includes doctors, scientists, inventors, creatives in culture and arts, executives, athletes, PhD holders, and specialists in priority scientific and engineering fields. Each subcategory has specific requirements such as recommendation letters, practical experience, or accredited educational degrees.

Required documents:

Doctors: Approval letter from the Ministry of Health or the emirate’s health department to practice the profession.

Scientists: Recommendation letter from the UAE Council for Scientists or a Scientific Excellence Award.

Inventors: Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy.

Creatives in culture and arts: Approval letter from the Ministry of Culture and Youth or the Department of Culture and Arts in Dubai.

Executive directors: Attested university degree, minimum five years of experience, employment contract, and a salary certificate of no less than AED 50,000.

Athletes: Recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils.

Specialists in priority scientific and engineering fields: Attested PhD or university degree, employment contract, and passport copy.

Outstanding Students

Residency duration: 5 years for high school achievers / 10 years for top university students

Main requirements: Certificates of excellence and recommendation letters from the school or university.

Required documents:

High school students: Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education and proof of achieving 95 per cent or higher.

University students: Recommendation letter from the university or graduation certificate, with a GPA of 3.8 or higher (for accredited universities), and within two years of graduation.

Proof of financial capability and housing to cover the family.

Humanitarian Pioneers and Frontline Heroes

Residency duration: 10 years

Main requirements: Certificates of appreciation, humanitarian contribution documentation, or at least five years of service.

Required documents:

Certificates of appreciation or documentation of outstanding efforts.

Proof of engagement in humanitarian organisations for at least five years or no less than 500 volunteer hours.

Proof of financial support for humanitarian initiatives of no less than AED 2 million.

Passport copy and health insurance.

How do I know if I am eligible for a Golden Visa?

ICP provides an easy eligibility quiz which you can complete to find out if you are eligible for a Golden Visa, under which category you can apply and the required documents you will need to provide.

To find out if you are eligible, visit: https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/checkEligibility

Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn in Dubai