The Dubai golden visa has become an optimum choice for investors seeking business expansion opportunities and lifetime stability. The United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East, is well known for its economic stability and plenty of work opportunities. Many individuals relocate to Dubai for their professional or career growth. The country is a major hub for innovation and thus is continuously gaining huge global recognition. Understanding the Dubai golden visa is very crucial for investors seeking residency by investment options, so that they can make a strategic choice of living and working in the UAE.
What is the Dubai Golden Visa?
The United Arab Emirates launched its residency by investment program, often called the Dubai golden visa in 2019 to attract the global talent, investors, and entrepreneurs. The golden visa Dubai has become very popular in the Gulf region as it grants a 10-year renewable residency permit to global investors, including skilled professionals and entrepreneurs. This allows them to live, work, and run or expand their business in the UAE by taking advantage of the long-term benefits the Dubai golden visa provides to its investors. By living in the UAE, investors can manage their business operations efficiently.
UAE Golden Visa Benefits
As per a World Bank Group Report, the United Arab Emirates ranked 16th globally, demonstrating its strong performance for ease of doing business in the Middle East and North Africa in 2020. 88% of the community in the UAE is foreign, where 40% are Indians, the highest percentage, followed by Pakistanis taking the second place with 16.72%. The large foreign residents in Dubai shows its global demand. Following are the main reasons why global investors consider the Dubai golden visa a better residency by investment option.
10-Year Renewable Residency
The golden visa Dubai provides a 10-year renewable residency to global investors, which also leads to the possibility of getting citizenship in the UAE after living there for 30 years. This is very beneficial for investors who want to gain long-term security benefits by living in Dubai with their family members for a lifetime.
No Need for Local Sponsor
Investors of the golden visa UAE do not require a local sponsor for the Dubai golden visa application process, as it provides self-sponsorship and does not need sponsorship from an employer, providing investors with the choice of making decisions on their own.
100% Business Ownership
No need of local sponsorship for the Dubai golden visa means the investors have full control over their business. They fully own their business and have complete independence in making decisions for it. This makes it a strategic choice for business owners.
Family Sponsorship, Including Parents
Many investors want to travel with their family members. The UAE golden visa provides them with the family inclusion opportunity, which means the main applicants can include their dependent family members, i.e., spouse, parents, siblings, and children, in the UAE golden visa application process. This protects investors from worrying about the healthcare, education, and lifestyle of their families in another country. They live together and access facilities in the UAE as its residents.
Long-Term Security & Tax Stability
The UAE offers various tax benefits to its residents and citizens such as a zero personal income tax rate and no capital gains. This benefits the entrepreneurs and business owners by protecting their wealth and long-term business growth opportunities.
Dubai Golden Visa Requirements
To be eligible for Dubai residency, applicants need to consider the Dubai golden visa requirements. The following are some of the main pathways.
Real Estate Investors
The real estate investors who want to own a property in the advanced economy of the UAE need to own one or more UAE-based properties for at least AED 2 million.
Entrepreneurs & Startup Founders
They must operate or own a startup or business that is approved, has strong growth potential, and has verified minimum revenue to qualify for the investor visa Dubai.
Skilled Professionals
They must have high level jobs in priority sectors such as technology, engineering, and healthcare, have a qualified salary, and accredited educational degrees to get a golden visa UAE.
Scientists, Researchers & Doctors
The scientists, researchers, and doctors must have qualifications and achievements recognized by the UAE authorities to get a Dubai golden visa.
Outstanding Students
For students seeking UAE residency, they must have top academic scores or graduate with distinction from top-ranked universities to qualify for a golden visa Dubai.
Special Talents
The investors who have skills in fields like art, sports, and culture can also qualify for the Dubai golden visa.
Golden Visa Investment Pathways in Dubai
The following are multiple routes of getting a UAE residency by investment or investor visa Dubai.
Property Investment Route
The most popular pathway to qualify for a UAE golden visa is the real estate investment option. It requires investors to own a property in the UAE worth a minimum of AED 2 million and a major benefit of this route is that investors get full control of the property. Furthermore, for a 2-year UAE residency permit, it provides investors with an option of AED 750,000 investment.
Business & Company Formation Route
Investors considering the business route need to invest in a company that demonstrates value to the UAE’s economy. The company must be running for 2 years and has a net income of minimum AED 1 million per year.
Capital Deposit Route
The most secure option to qualify for an investor visa Dubai is the bank deposit option. Investors can benefit from it by making profit on their investment. They can deposit in the following banks to get a 10-year UAE residency:
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
Aiman Bank (Wakala Deposit)
RAK Bank
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
Al Maryah Community Bank
Public Investment Options
This option requires investing at least AED 2 million in a UAE-accredited investment fund or establishing a company with a capital of at least AED 2 million.
How to Apply for the Dubai Golden Visa: Step-by-Step Process
Investors need to choose the right investment option and fulfill all Dubai golden visa requirements to qualify for the program. The program application process includes the following steps and how Saad Ahsan supports applicants at every stage.
Assessment of Golden Visa UAE
The initial step is the assessment of program investors. Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship provides detailed assessment, guide you, and help you choose the right path.
Document Checklist
The documents required for application include:
Passports
Bank Statements
Police Clearance
Medical Fitness Reports
Family registration documents.
Saad Ahsan helps prepare, organize, and verify all documents.
Application Channels
Applications can be submitted via ICP portal and GDRFA Dubai smart services. The Saad Ahsan team handles submission on your behalf, ensuring accuracy and smooth processing.
Processing
After complete processing of application and grant of approval, the investors are granted the golden visa UAE.
How to Get UAE Citizenship: Requirements & Real Possibilities
UAE citizenship is granted to individuals who fulfill the eligibility criteria, reside in UAE for 30 years, meet strict requirements of Arabic language proficiency, income earned from legal sources, and good reputation. For individuals thinking how to get UAE passport or how to get UAE nationality they need to understand the following:
Citizenship vs. Golden Visa Explained
Golden Visa: It grants a long-term renewable residency permit but not for lifetime.
Citizenship: It grants permanent residency rights providing long term benefits. The full rights are granted only through nomination.
It grants nationality for investors, skilled professionals, and exceptional talents.
Government-Nomination Based Citizenship
Applicants cannot apply directly; they must be nominated by the UAE government based on their achievements and contributions.
How to Get Dubai Nationality & UAE Passport
After 30 years of residence in Dubai, there is a possibility for applicants to also get UAE nationality if they meet the strict requirements, perform exceptionally well, only then they get nominated and granted a UAE passport.
Dubai Golden Visa FAQs
Is the UAE Golden Visa permanent?
Dubai golden visa is a long term residency of 10 years and is renewable.
Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
After 30 years of UAE residency and meeting requirements, applicants can get UAE citizenship.
Minimum investment for Golden Visa Dubai?
The minimum investment required for a golden visa UAE is AED 2 million in property, or equivalent value in business or approved public investments.
Can I apply without living in the UAE?
Yes, many categories allow applicants from outside the UAE.