What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE government has taken significant steps to develop infrastructure and invest in non-oil projects. One of these initiatives UAE Golden Visa is that, unlike regular visas which have job or family restrictions, it is granted solely based on individual capabilities and investment. This visa is given to individuals with special skills or the ability to invest in urban projects in the UAE.
UAE Golden Visa A long-term residence permit that can be renewed for up to 10 years. This visa is granted to individuals with special skills or investments in urban projects in the UAE.
Since 2019, this visa has allowed immigrants from around the world to live in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor and to have full ownership of their businesses. Visa holders can benefit from work, living, and educational services in the UAE.
Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa
Before being a golden opportunity for immigrants, the UAE Golden Visa has been introduced as an ideal opportunity and a progressive step toward the sustainable development of the UAE. The UAE’s efforts to become the global trade hub in the Middle East are commendable. That is why it has provided exceptional citizenship services and opportunities for immigrants through the UAE Golden Visa.
Additional benefits of the UAE Golden Visa include:
- You have the right to a long-term 10-year residence with the possibility of renewal.
- You can obtain a 6-month entry visa to the UAE with multiple entry permissions.
- You do not need to find an employer to reside in the UAE. Therefore, entrepreneurs can independently and without intermediaries from Emirati companies start their businesses.
- With the Golden Visa, you can stay outside the UAE for up to 6 months while still maintaining your long-term residence.
- You can immigrate to the UAE and live there with your family members under 18 years old without any restrictions.
- In the event of the visa holder’s death, their family members are entitled to reside until the end of the specified period.
- You do not need any Emirati sponsor or local employer to reside in the UAE.
- Golden Visa holders and their families enjoy all citizenship services such as healthcare, education, security services, and the ability to conduct financial and commercial transactions.
- You benefit from unparalleled investment and entrepreneurship opportunities with full support from the UAE government.
- You have the option to retire according to the UAE's citizenship laws.
You can see the most important of these benefits in the image below:
Steps to obtain the UAE Golden Visa
The process of obtaining the UAE Golden Visa is simple yet fully legal, and it is necessary to be aware of the complete details and precise immigration laws of the UAE. Depending on individual circumstances, the path to obtaining the UAE Golden Visa may vary slightly, but overall, the application process and receipt of the Golden Visa are as follows:
Create an account on the UAE Golden Visa website.
Enter your identity information in your account and fill out the relevant forms. Then, you need to prepare the documents according to the website’s checklist and upload them to your account.
You must introduce yourself in a short video of up to 2 minutes and upload it to your account.
The document review and eligibility verification process takes about one month. After one month, your UAE Golden Visa application will be reviewed and the eligibility results will be announced.
After eligibility is confirmed, you must prepare the documents requested by the Identity and Citizenship Department and send them to this department.
The document review process at the Identity Department also takes about one month. If your identity documents are approved, you will receive an email from the department and proceed to the final stages of obtaining the UAE Golden Visa.
At this stage, you will receive a 6-month multiple-entry visa to the UAE, but within this 6-month period, you must complete the initial steps for long-term residency conditions such as investment or starting a business. If you succeed in establishing a business or making an investment, a 10-year UAE Golden Visa will be issued, allowing you to live freely in the country.
Required Documents for UAE Golden Visa
The required documents for the UAE Golden Visa for Iranians vary depending on the type of investment or entrepreneurship program. Investors and specialists need different sets of documents. However, all applicants for the UAE Golden Visa must provide a complete list of the following documents:
- A copy of a valid passport for yourself and all family members, including visa stamps
- If you have previously traveled to the UAE, copies of prior visas are mandatory.
- A color passport photo with a white background
- Proof of financial capability letter
- Health insurance certificate
- Proof of eligibility for the Golden Visa, which varies according to the type of application.
- Police clearance certificate from the country of origin or any country where you have lived for several years.
Additionally, the document requirements differ for those who have previously resided in the UAE; such individuals may need to provide documents reflecting their current residency status. Furthermore, applicants applying for the Golden Visa for investment purposes must provide documents demonstrating financial transparency, such as:
- Financial statements audited by an accountant for the past year
- Company business license and a copy of the list of investment partners
- Copies of residence documents
- Bank statements for the past three months and tax returns for the past year
Processing Time for the UAE Golden Visa
The time from registering for the UAE Golden Visa to receiving it is not very long and varies slightly depending on the types of documents you provide and under what conditions. Generally, the process for Iranians falls into two periods: two months and a temporary six-month residence period.
- The approval stage after registering on the UAE Golden Visa website takes up to 1 month.
- The identity document verification stage at the UAE Federal Authority also takes about 1 month.
After document approval, applicants receive a 6-month temporary visa with multiple entry privileges to the UAE. During this 6-month period, they must complete the legal investment or entrepreneurship procedures to have the Golden Visa issued, granting 5 or 10 years of residency.
Eligible individuals for obtaining the UAE Golden Visa
UAE Golden Visa A solution for developing civil infrastructure This country is the UAE, and the government of the Emirates intends to The potential of immigrants to be used for major non-oil investments, creating job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and attracting individuals with top talents and specialized skills. Therefore, the UAE Golden Visa is a multi-faceted program encompassing many specialties.
People can apply for the UAE Golden Visa through various investment methods or by relying on personal talents and skills, even educational qualifications and work experience. Such individuals include:
Specialists and Skilled Workers
Doctors have an ideal opportunity to obtain the UAE Golden Visa and practice medicine in the country. However, certain criteria are set for selecting doctors, including a minimum of 5 years of professional experience along with publishing books or articles in reputable scientific journals. Additionally, to receive the UAE Golden Visa for doctors, their academic degree must be from one of the top 500 universities worldwide. At the same time, presenting extensive scientific research grants special privileges to these individuals, making the visa acquisition process and ultimately joining the healthcare workforce in the country easier.
UAE Golden Visa for Doctors
Doctors have an ideal opportunity to obtain the UAE Golden Visa and practice medicine in the country. However, certain criteria are set for selecting doctors, including a minimum of 5 years of professional experience along with publishing books or articles in reputable scientific journals. Additionally, to receive the UAE Golden Visa for doctors, their academic degree must be from one of the top 500 universities worldwide. At the same time, presenting extensive scientific research grants special privileges to these individuals, making the visa acquisition process and ultimately joining the healthcare workforce in the country easier.
Recommended Reading: Dubai Golden Visa for Iranian Doctors
UAE Golden Visa for nurses
The entire healthcare staff, especially nurses, are among the target groups in the comprehensive UAE Golden Visa program. The UAE government has even provided special citizenship services for nurses, including long-term residency, companion visas, access to numerous job opportunities, and job security. However, the strict requirements for presenting a valid university degree or scientific publications, as required for doctors, do not apply to healthcare staff, making it easier for them to meet the UAE Golden Visa criteria.
UAE Golden Visa for Doctorate Degree Holders
The UAE government has long planned for the scientific development of the country and places special emphasis on the scientific capabilities of immigrants. The UAE Golden Visa for doctorate degree holders is part of this broader vision to develop the country’s scientific infrastructure. Individuals with doctoral degrees in various fields enjoy significant opportunities such as 10-year residency without the need for a sponsor, family accompaniment, full citizenship services, government support in scientific programs, and the ability to quickly start startups. Access to free educational and healthcare services along with tax exemptions are among the government benefits for doctorate holders.
UAE Golden Visa for Programmers
The UAE is one of the leading countries in computer science in the region and aims to become the IT hub of the entire Middle East in recent years. To achieve this, it needs to benefit from a community of computer engineers, especially programmers. Government support through the UAE Golden Visa for programmers is prominent and includes excellent services.
Applicants for the UAE Golden Visa for programmers must have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields from a reputable university. Additionally, they must have a minimum of 5 years of programming experience and full proficiency in at least one programming language.
Recommended Reading: UAE Golden Visa for programmers
UAE Golden Visa for artists
The UAE government strives to attract artistic talents from around the world through its cultural programs, and the UAE Golden Visa for artists, which offers a 10-year residency, is part of these cultural initiatives. Artists can easily apply for long-term residency without needing a sponsor. However, special conditions are set to review and confirm the artistic status of applicants, such as:
- Individuals in various artistic fields, including fine arts or performing arts, can apply for this visa.
- Applicants must provide a letter of introduction or approval from a local or federal government organization.
- Artists applying for this visa must have a history of creating original and recognized artworks.
Applicants can submit a resume of their artistic and cultural works and professionally prepare a portfolio including photos or videos of their artworks to provide the necessary documents proving their abilities and thus benefit from the UAE Golden Visa services for artists.
UAE Golden Visa for athletes
Professional athletes can also take advantage of the UAE Golden Visa for long-term residency of 5 or 10 years in the country and enjoy full citizenship services with the possibility of starting a business or investing. Professional athletes can apply through this visa to access the UAE’s outstanding sports facilities. Popular sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, all martial arts, swimming and all water sports, gymnastics, and horseback riding are the focus of this visa. Professional athletes with national or international medals and distinguished records in their sports field can apply for the UAE Golden Visa.
UAE Golden Visa for Students
Attracting scientific elites is among the UAE's long-term plans for developing the country's university infrastructure. For this purpose, a program to attract elites through the UAE Golden Visa for students has been prepared. Continuing education at prominent UAE universities is an ideal opportunity offered by the UAE Golden Visa for Iranians. However, certain conditions are set for applicant students:
- The student's elite status must be approved by the UAE Ministry of Education.
- The elite status of art students and students active in cultural fields must be approved by the UAE Ministry of Culture.
- Students who have invented something must present their invention details to the UAE Ministry of Economy and provide a patent registration certificate.
- Having a strong resume with registered patents or published articles in reputable journals is mandatory for the student.
- The student must have studied at a university with a global grade of A or B.
- The student must have a recommendation letter from their university.
- If the student studied at a grade A university, they must have a GPA above 3.5; if at a grade B university, a GPA above 3.8 is required.
- The maximum gap after graduation should be less than 2 years.
In addition to these, having studied at one of the top 500 universities worldwide, receiving scientific awards and certificates of appreciation, or collaborating in publishing reputable scientific books are conditions that serve as advantages in issuing the UAE Golden Visa for students.
UAE Golden Visa for Investors
By investing in the UAE real estate sector, you can also apply for the UAE Golden Visa and obtain a 5- or 10-year residence permit with the opportunity to bring your family. This is an ideal opportunity to migrate and live in the country without specialized or academic challenges, relying solely on investment opportunities. Investors must meet at least one of the following two conditions to obtain the UAE Golden Visa:
- Purchase property in the UAE worth at least 2 million dirhams. They may also take loans from some UAE banks to finance this investment.
- Invest in construction projects in the UAE. The minimum investment must also be 2 million dirhams.
Besides the above, you can apply for the UAE Golden Visa through investment in entrepreneurial projects. In this case, you must own a startup company with a minimum annual income of 1 million UAE dirhams. Of course, your startup company must have received approval from the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Cost of the UAE Golden Visa
The cost of the UAE Golden Visa includes the file review fee and the fee for participating in the immigration program. The file review fee covers the services provided during this process. These services include visa issuance, medical certification, health insurance, and document translation. In any case, the file review fee for the UAE Golden Visa is not very high, but it varies depending on the duration of its validity. The fees are as follows:
- File review fee for the 5-year UAE Golden Visa: The total service fees for file review for the 5-year Golden Visa amount to 650 AED. Of this, 150 AED is for the visa application, and the remainder covers visa issuance costs.
- File review fee for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa: The total service fees for file review for the 10-year Golden Visa amount to 1,150 AED. Of this, 150 AED is for the visa application, and the rest is for visa issuance costs.
The fees mentioned are only the general portion of the amounts charged to immigration applicants for file review. However, depending on immigration categories such as investment or entrepreneurship and company registration, additional costs are required. These fees are prerequisites for starting the UAE Golden Visa issuance process. These include:
- The minimum property purchase cost for the 10-year visa is 2 million AED, equivalent to 245,000 USD. For the 5-year Golden Visa, the minimum property value required is 1.5 million AED.
- The company registration fee for obtaining the entrepreneurial Golden Visa is 160,000 AED, equivalent to 21,000 USD.
- The visa and ID card issuance fee per family member is 3,860 AED, equivalent to 1,043 USD.
- The medical test and health card fees per person are 220 and 400 USD, respectively.
- Each applicant must pay approximately 1,000 USD for document translation and consular services.
I recommend reading the article titled Company registration in Dubai as well.
Can Iranians Obtain the Dubai Golden Visa?
UAE Golden Visa Regulations Designed to attract talented individuals, specialists, and investors from around the world. From the perspective of UAE officials, anyone who holds the status of a talented or skilled specialist or has sufficient investment potential can apply for immigration and long-term residency in this country.
Every Iranian can benefit from this visa, provided they have high skills in fields such as programming, computer science, engineering, or medicine and healthcare staff. Also, Iranian students with a GPA above 18 from top Iranian universities are eligible.
Other ways include Entrepreneurship and investing in the real estate market, buying shares, company registration, and business cooperation with Emirati partners. These paths offer the opportunity to use the UAE Golden Visa services for Iranians.
Recommended Reading: Guide to obtaining Dubai residency through company registration
Validity period of the Golden Visa
The residency validity period is UAE Golden Visa 5 or 10 years. However, depending on different conditions, it falls within one of these two durations. For example, if you apply through the UAE Golden Visa for students, the residency period is five years. But the UAE Golden Visa for PhD holders and generally specialists who provide complete experience, is ten years. is.
Amount Investment value can determine the duration of residency validity through the UAE Golden Visa. To the extent that individuals with an investment of less than 1.5 million dirhams can only use a regular visa with a maximum residency of two years. To qualify for the UAE Golden Visa with a validity of 5 years a minimum investment 1.5 million dirhams is required. Meanwhile, the minimum investment for the UAE Golden Visa ten years is also 2 million AED . Of course, under certain conditions, it is possible to extend the residency period.
Unlike standard visas, the Golden Visa offers a 5 to 10-year renewable residence permit, enabling individuals to live in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor and with full ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland.
Persian Translation
Unlike regular visas, Golden Visa it grants a 5 to 10-year residence permit with the possibility of renewal. With this visa, individuals can live in the country without the need for an Emirati sponsor and have full ownership of their business within the UAE.
Recommended reading: The UAE Golden Visa Guide for PhD Holders
Dubai Golden Visa for Family Members
The UAE government has prepared special and very generous conditions Golden Visa and accompanying family members is one of the most attractive features. All individuals applying for residence through the UAE Golden Visa, including investors, entrepreneurs, doctors, specialists, students, and others, have the option to be accompanied by first-degree family members. First-degree family members include parents, spouse, and children under 18 years old. There are even provisions that in the event of the visa holder’s death, their family members can continue their residence until the specified deadline. Moreover, as long as you hold the UAE Golden Visa and get married, you can easily facilitate your spouse’s residence through your Golden Visa.
Is the Golden Visa renewable?
When the goal of the UAE Golden Visa is to attract skilled professionals and elite individuals, certainly long-term residence plans for these individuals are anticipated. Depending on the type of specialty and Type of Golden Visa other factors, it is possible to renew it after the initial 5 or 10-year period ends.
Even investors can benefit from the conditions for renewing the Golden Visa by maintaining or increasing their capital in the UAE. In certain special cases, Possibility to convert this visa to permanent residency Also available.
Can you work everywhere with the UAE Golden Visa?
Currently, the regulations UAE Golden Visa For Investment, Work, and Entrepreneurship is in Dubai. All individuals who have a 5 or 10-year residence permit through this visa must reside and work in City and suburbs of Dubai Take action.
However, it is possible, if needed, to Obtaining Special Certifications and receive Licenses Apply to work in other cities and regions of the UAE. In this case, you must inform the local authorities and the officials of the UAE immigration department about the necessity of this action. Your presence outside Dubai Be justifiable for work or investment.
Suggested reading: Complete Guide UAE Golden Visa for Iranian artists
Conditions for Obtaining the UAE 10-Year Golden Visa
If as Specialized workforce, elite student or Medical Staff For UAE Golden Visa You take action, in almost all of these cases with the possibility of 10-Year Golden Visa You are eligible for the UAE. However, the conditions for granting this type of golden visa differ for investors in real estate market or starting a business in the UAE.
As an investor, you must be a non-UAE citizen who holds a valid passport and has no Criminal Record criminal record in your home country or current residence. In this case, by purchasing property worth at least 2 million AED in Dubai you can apply for a 10-year UAE golden visa.
If you are startup owners planning to immigrate to the UAE, your business must be able to create at least 10 jobs for UAE nationals, and your defined job must be registered with the UAE Ministry of Economy.
The table below shows the minimum amount required to obtain various types of 10-year UAE visas, including investment, entrepreneurship, outstanding talents, and special visas.
| Visa Type | Minimum Visa Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Investment Visa | 2 million AED |
| General Investment Visa | 5 million dirhams |
| Entrepreneurship Visa | 500,000 AED |
| Outstanding Talent Visa | 500,000 AED |
| Specialists Visa | 250,000 AED |
| Nurses Visa | 100,000 AED |
| Students Visa | 100,000 AED |
Conditions for Obtaining the UAE 5-Year Golden Visa
General Conditions for Receiving the 5-Year Golden Visa It is similar to the UAE 10-Year Golden Visa, with the difference that The investment threshold is lower. Individuals with a minimum 1 million AED investment in real estate market the UAE can apply for 5-Year Golden Visa Take action.
Disadvantages of the UAE Golden Visa
Although the UAE Golden Visa offers many benefits and the application process is relatively straightforward, it also has some drawbacks:
- High Cost: The cost of applying for the Golden Visa is very high and, compared to immigrating to other countries, especially European countries, it is not justifiable.
- No Path to Citizenship: This visa is solely for residency in the UAE, and even with long-term residence, you will not be recognized as a UAE citizen.
- No Access to UAE Passport: Obtaining the Golden Visa does not grant you access to UAE passport services for traveling to other countries, and simply having the visa does not make you eligible for a UAE passport.
- Challenges in Visa Renewal: At the end of the 5- or 10-year period, you must meet specific conditions to renew the visa. Otherwise, you cannot stay in the UAE for a longer duration.
Do you have to live in the UAE with the Golden Visa?
The advantage of the UAE Golden Visa lies in its flexible regulations. Although holders of this visa do not have UAE nationality, they enjoy full services and the freedom to live in the country just like all UAE citizens. The UAE government has not imposed any restrictions on permanent residency for Golden Visa holders. In fact, this visa grants you a 5- or 10-year residency in the UAE. Moreover, you can stay outside the UAE for as long as you want without any issues using your visa.
Can you buy property jointly and obtain the Golden Visa?
The rules for obtaining the UAE Golden Visa through property purchase are straightforward, but some points must be considered. Initially, a minimum investment of 1 million AED in property is required for a 5-year residency, and a minimum of 2 million AED for a 10-year residency. The property must be residential, and ownership must be fully held by one person. Currently, joint property ownership and applying for the UAE Golden Visa is not possible.
There are also restrictions on the property’s usage. The property cannot be commercial or office space and must be listed as residential real estate. Additionally, for residency through the UAE Golden Visa, it is possible to purchase two properties with a combined value of at least 2 million AED.
What is the UAE Golden Visa registration website?
Steps to obtain the UAE Golden Visa by registering on the website Business.goldenvisa.ae It begins. This website has been introduced by the UAE government for pre-registration of the UAE Golden Visa. You need to create an account on this site, provide your email address, enter your identity information, and finally upload the required documents.
Difference between the UAE Golden Visa and Green Visa
The UAE Green Visa is another type of residency option designed by the government to facilitate the stay of highly skilled individuals. The Green Visa is quite similar to the UAE Golden Visa, but there are some minor differences between the two. The Green Visa is somewhat stricter or more limited compared to the Golden Visa. But what exactly is the UAE Green Visa?
The UAE Green Visa is a new type of residency visa This country has been designed to attract highly skilled individuals, investors, entrepreneurs, students, and graduates from top universities worldwide, and it is issued to eligible applicants without the need for connections with companies based in the UAE. In general, the difference between the Golden Visa and the UAE Green Visa is as follows:
- The maximum duration of the UAE Green Visa is 5 years. Meanwhile, the majority of golden visa items are planned for a 10-year residence.
- Both groups, whether specialists, investors, or even top students, have the opportunity to use both types of UAE Green Visa and Golden Visa; however, overall UAE Green Visa with a Focus on Attracting Specialists And the Golden Visa is designed with an approach to attract investors.
- The UAE Green Visa is primarily aimed at attracting workforce employed by Emirati companies Prepared; however, the UAE's Golden Visa approach focuses on entrepreneurship, company establishment, and workforce recruitment.
- Individuals with the UAE Golden Visa have the flexibility to live abroad and enjoy favorable residency conditions; however, for leaving the country and residing outside the UAE Green Visa Restrictions It has been considered.
The differences between the UAE Green Visa and Golden Visa are summarized in the table below.
| UAE Green Visa | UAE Golden Visa |
|---|---|
| The maximum duration of stay is 5 years. | The maximum duration of stay is 10 years. |
| Designed to attract specialists and skilled workforce. | Designed to attract investors and entrepreneurs. |
| Mostly for the workforce employed by Emirati companies. | Designed for company formation and entrepreneurship. |
| There are restrictions on staying outside the UAE. | It is possible to live and reside abroad without any restrictions. |
| The target group includes specialists, elite students, and graduates. | The target group includes investors, entrepreneurs, and specialists. |
The UAE Golden Visa and an opportunity for investment in international business
The UAE Golden Visa is a unique opportunity for those looking to establish international businesses. In any case, the cost of applying for this visa is high, and with much lower prices, you can arrange your immigration path to a European country; however, The UAE’s trump card is its strategic position in international trade and connection to global markets. This is why many investors, traders, and entrepreneurs see the UAE Golden Visa as a Globalization opportunity. On the other hand, students and skilled professionals can also take advantage of this visa to find jobs with High income in the UAE. A visa that is a win-win situation for both Emiratis and applicants alike.
