Obtain a UAE golden visa through a seamless application process
Let our team help you obtain the benefits of a UAE Golden Visa, which include long-term residency, 100% company ownership and more.
Seamless Assistance for UAE Golden Visa Application
In 2019, the UAE launched the Golden Visa program to attract and retain professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and outstanding students worldwide. Our team is dedicated to helping you have a seamless application process for the golden visa so that you can enjoy its benefits without any hassle. These benefits include long-term residency in the UAE, 100% company ownership in the mainland, and the opportunity to live, work, and study in the country.
Must Know
The standard application processing time may take 2 to 4 weeks, subject to additional requirements.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Before you do anything, talk to one of our experts in Dubai. We’ll show you how easy the process is and why we’re the partner of choice for entrepreneurs who want to establish a business in Dubai.
Our Golden Visa Uae Service
Client assessment
Our team will evaluate your profile and determine your eligibility for Visa programs, and walk you through the complete process and all the requirements involved.
Documentation
We will assist you in collecting, preparing and submitting the required documents, such as the following:
Standard requirements
- Copies of your passport, visa and EID card copy.
- UAE labour contract.
- Salary certificate/income confirmation letter.
- Education certificate fully attested and legalized by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Six months of personal bank statements.
- Title deed, if you own property in the UAE.
- Reference letter from your employer or a person of influence regarding your contribution to your industry or the UAE economy.
- Copy of your CV or LinkedIn profile.
- Published articles and write-ups about you, your business or your contribution to the UAE economy.
Existing UAE residents on a non-Dubai visa
- A fixed deposit of AED 2 million for two years is required in a local bank. A bank confirmation letter is mandatory.
- The visa will be cancelled automatically if the deposit is withdrawn/encashed. (risk of auto cancellation confirmed by immigration).
Existing UAE residents on a Dubai visa (company owners/investors)
- Bank statements indicating movement of approximately AED 2 to 3 million in your bank accounts.
- Copies of all corporate documents, including license, share certificate, etc.
- If you hold the position of CEO, you must have been in this position for more than three years.
- If you are a company executive, you must have been in this position for over five years. Office lease or Ejari.
- Audited financial statements.
- Copy of the audit firm's license.
Golden Visa UAE: Everything You Need to Know
Imagine starting your dream business in a luxurious, sunny foreign city with beautiful beaches.
Sound good?
Imagine if that foreign city didn’t make you pay tax.
Even better!
Want to know the best part? You don’t have to imagine. That’s what’s on offer in the United Arab Emirates. The only catch is that you’ll need a UAE Golden Visa to stay in the country long-term.
What's a Golden Visa in the UAE?
We’ve created this guide to provide answers to all your questions about the prestigious Golden Visa of the United Arab Emirates. Keep reading to learn how you can make your dream a reality.
What Is the Golden Visa in the UAE?
The United Arab Emirates has introduced a unique Golden Visa program that allows eligible individuals permanent residence with a 10-year visa, which comes with a range of attractive privileges that most typical residence visa programs do not offer.
The program was launched in 2019 as an effort to attract and retain foreign talent in a tax-friendly environment and foster business development to boost the UAE’s economy. The program has been successful, with 44,000 Dubai residents securing long-term residency through the Golden Visa by late 2021.
The Golden Visa program is designed to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and talented individuals in specific fields, such as medical staff, engineers, researchers, and high-achieving university students. The program aims to bolster the UAE’s global standing and attract top talent to live, work, and kickstart new businesses in the country.
The Golden Visa Residency is applicable for ten years, and in some situations, the visas can be renewed automatically, making the visa application process simple and convenient. This is a handy feature for those who struggle with the endless monotony of bureaucracy, as anyone who has ever applied for a foreign visa knows how painful these processes can sometimes be.
Benefits of a UAE Golden Visa
As its name suggests, the Golden Visa program is the gold standard of long-term residence visas. The UAE government has put in significant effort to ensure that the program is attractive to the best of the best. The year-round sunshine, ultra-modern infrastructure, and stunning beaches are additional perks that make the program even more appealing.
1) You Don't Need a Local Sponsor
Golden Visa holders are not required to have a local sponsor in order to live, study, and work in the UAE.
For people who are not familiar with the common residency processes, this might not seem like a big deal. However, those who are familiar with it know how time-consuming and complicated it can be to obtain a local sponsor. This complexity is often worse if a local company does not employ you or if you do not know any nationals from the country where you are trying to obtain a residency visa.
Not needing a national sponsor to get a Golden Visa makes the process of applying for residency in the UAE much simpler. This is yet another reason why you should consider applying for it.
2) You Can Own 100% of Your Business
One of the major advantages of the Golden Visa is that it allows visa holders to fully own a business based in the UAE.
This is a significant development, as foreign entrepreneurs who previously wished to launch a business in the UAE were required to partner with an Emirati national who would own a portion of the company. Some industries located in particular zones were exempt from this rule.
However, with the introduction of the Golden Visa program, foreign entrepreneurs, business owners and investors who meet the eligibility criteria can now easily overcome these logistical obstacles.
3) You Can Add Other People to Your Visa
Suppose you obtain a visa through the UAE’s Golden Visa program. In that case, you can add your family members and business associates to it, saving you the hassle of obtaining visas for them. However, there are some specific conditions that need to be met. This feature can save you a lot of paperwork and prevent your family from being separated if they travel with you to the UAE.
4) You Can Travel Freely to and from the UAE
Gold Visa holders have the privilege to travel to and from the UAE as many times as they wish, without any restrictions. Having a Golden Visa is almost equivalent to being a UAE citizen. Therefore, you can easily visit your friends and family back home or schedule numerous business meetings overseas without worrying about limits. You are free to go anytime you want!
Golden Visa Holders can enjoy additional benefits in various Emirates
Golden Visa programs in different Emirates offer a variety of benefits to you and your family members across various sectors. When applying for citizenship, it’s important to consider all visa options.
Dubai
- Golden Visa holders in Dubai may receive an Esaad privilege card based on their category. This card is provided free of cost to those who hold a Golden Visa in Dubai.
- Foreign residents in Dubai who possess a driving license from another country and hold a Golden Visa can take the UAE driver's license test without the need for UAE-specific lessons.
- Golden Visa holders who have a license from one of the 32 approved countries are automatically eligible for a UAE driver's license.
- Exceptional foreign students in Dubai and their families may be granted a 10-year residency visa. Expatriate students who fall under this category may also receive discounts on international university fees throughout Dubai.
Abu Dhabi
- In Abu Dhabi, residents with golden visas are entitled to a range of discounts and offers across various industries, including real estate, health, hospitality, banking, insurance, and more. This is made possible by the commercial partnerships that the Resident's Office has established with different companies in these sectors.
- For instance, Imkan Properties, a leading real estate developer, is offering special discounts on selected properties to holders of the Golden Visa.
- Additionally, several banks, such as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank, provide Golden Visa real estate investors with reduced mortgage fixed interest rates. They also offer attractive interest rates on savings accounts to those who don't invest in real estate.
- Golden Visa holders in Abu Dhabi can also enjoy discounts on gym memberships, spa treatments, and stays at selected hospitality establishments.
- Golden Visa holders will also receive exclusive car deals, including priority booking for new releases, special payment facilities, maintenance offers, and licensing services.
- Furthermore, Golden Visa holders in Abu Dhabi will be eligible for reduced premiums on annual health insurance packages for both individuals and families, which is another major benefit of holding this visa.
Am I Eligible for a UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE government has recently expanded the eligibility criteria for the Golden Visa program, which aims to foster business development and boost the economy.
However, it is important to note that the program is highly specific and seeks people of a particular calibre to build a skilled workforce. If you meet the specified conditions for your category, your Golden Visa application will likely be approved.
The following are the major groups eligible to apply for residency in the UAE under the Golden Visa program:
- Investors
- Owners of specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge
- High-level executives
- Athletes
- Specialists in the fields of engineering and science
- Creative people and people of culture and art
- Inventors
- Outstanding students with promising scientific abilities
Individuals applying for the Golden Visa under each category will have to meet different conditions and criteria to succeed. The next section will discuss some of these requirements.
Applying for a Golden Visa in UAE
To apply for a UAE Golden Visa, you need to follow a few basic steps, which may vary depending on your profession and the category you’re applying under. In the next section, we’ll review the specific requirements for each professional category. Here are the general steps you’ll need to take:
- Identify the category you want to apply under and prepare the relevant application form and documentation.
- Submit your documentation and pay the necessary fees.
- Wait for a response regarding the status of your application, which can take up to 30 days.
- If your application is successful and you have a current UAE visa, you will need to cancel it.
- Submit your passport and Golden Visa application, and your new visa will be inserted into your passport.
Who Can Apply for a UAE Golden Visa?
How do you know if you can apply for a UAE Golden Visa? In this section, we’ll look at the various requirements individuals from each professional category will need to meet to obtain one.
Who Can Apply for a UAE Golden Visa?
Investor in an investment fund (commercial investor)
- Company audit report for the previous year.
- A copy of your license and a list of your partners (commercial-industrial).
- A photo of your residence.
- Company account statement for the last three months (VAT returns).
Note:
- Only licenses from the Emirate of Dubai (commercial or industrial) will be accepted.
- If your license is from a free zone or special development zone, you will need to obtain a 'To Whom It May Concern Certificate' from the relevant free zone authorities.
Investor in an investment fund (deposit)
- A letter from the bank with the deposit in Arabic. A note must be mentioned that the deposit will not be broken until after two years, and if it's broken, the deposit will be reported to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.
- Residence photo
- Rental lease
- Occupation when applying – not specified
Investor in an investment fund (tax return investor)
- A letter from the Federal Tax Authority
- A copy of the licence and the partners' list
- Residence photo
- Occupation when applying – not specified
- Given profession – investor
Owners of specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge
Doctors
- Arabic Certificate of Professional Practice from Health Authority – Ministry of Health – Dubai Healthcare City
- Copy of labour card from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation or certified work contract from a relevant authority under The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and free zones
- Residence photo
- Occupation specified in the application – in accordance with the license certificate
- Profession granted – as indicated on the license
Scientists
- Endorsement letter from the Emirates Scientists Council or correspondence from the Secretariat of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Academic
- Excellence as a recipient of the Medal of Scientific Excellence
- Passport copy
- Occupation at the time of application – unspecified
Creative people and people of culture and art
- Endorsement letter from the Culture and Arts Authority
- Passport copy
- Occupation at the time of application – not specified
- Profession granted in accordance with the recommendation letter
Inventors
- Endorsement letter from the Ministry of Economy
- Passport copy
- Occupation at the time of application – not specified
- Profession granted according to the recommendation letter
High-level Executives (General Manager – Executive Director – Chairman of the Board of Directors)
- Company NOC letter for the golden visa, specifying a 5-year term as General Manager, Executive Director, or Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Bachelor's degree or higher (certificate attested by The Ministry of Education)
- Monthly salary certificate of AED 30,000 or above
- Employment contract reflecting the same profession and salary
- Personal bank statements for the past six months
- Occupation during application – General Manager, Executive Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Profession granted – Executive Director
Athletes
- Endorsement letter from a sports council or the General Authority for Sports
- Passport copy
- Occupation during application – unspecified
- Profession granted – determined as per the recommendation letter
Specialists in the fields of engineering and science
- Bachelor's degree or higher, certified or with a degree equivalency letter from the Ministry of Education (if the certificate is from a foreign country)
- Residence copy
- Employment contract for a profession in one of the specified specializations: Epidemiology Viruses, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering
- Occupation during application – aligned with the approved major or higher qualification
- Profession awarded – determined by specialization
Outstanding students with promising scientific abilities (graduates of 2019 – 2020 and above)
- Recommendation from the Ministry of Education (confirmation via text message)
- Copy of the residence permit (Emirate of Dubai)
- Passport copy
- Occupation during application – unspecified
- Profession granted – Outstanding Student
A university graduate with a GPA of 3.8 or above from within the approved state universities only (Bachelor’s) (Master’s)
- Certified university degree and academic transcript
- Copy of the residence permit (Emirate of Dubai)
- Passport copy
- Occupation during application – unspecified
- Profession granted – Outstanding Student
Kickstart Your New Life With a Golden Visa in the UAE
Want to take advantage of the UAE’s yearlong sunshine, luxurious lifestyle and lucrative business opportunities? If yes, then a Golden Visa in the UAE can be your ticket to all of it.
If you are eligible for a UAE Golden Visa, take the first step now and connect with one of our company formation experts in Dubai. With our Gulf Gateway CSP process, we can make it easy for you to obtain a Golden Visa and establish a business in the UAE.
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