In the era of a booming economy, the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East, is an optimum choice for global investors as it provides them with ample opportunities. An Article by Forbes claimed that, according to the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, the UAE ranks fifth because of its economic stability and efficient government. The modern and developed country has transformed itself significantly and is now considered a global hub for innovation and business. The country brought a wide range of benefits to foreign investors by launching its golden visa program.
UAE Golden Visa: A Long-term Residency Program
UAE residency by investment program is the most enviable and popular program in the Gulf region, as it allows its investors to live, work, and do business in the United Arab Emirates for 10 years along with their dependent family members. Hence, the investors, including skilled professionals and entrepreneurs who want to establish or expand their brands internationally while living with their loved ones, consider this a perfect opportunity. Moreover, the long-term residency allows them to manage their business operations efficiently while living in the country.
Why Do Pakistanis Consider the UAE Golden Visa as an Ultimate Plan B?
It is a dream of every individual, including Pakistanis, to invest in a residency program of a country that is globally recognised as a business-centric hub, as by living in that country, they can expand their businesses to a greater extent easily. According to a report by the World Bank Group 2020, the UAE was considered the strongest performer in the Middle East and North Africa region in terms of ease of doing business in the country.
Although the UAE has not offered a specific golden visa program for Pakistani citizens, its golden visa is for all foreign nationals. However, if we look at the foreign community residing in the UAE closely, then Pakistanis rank second after Indians among all other nationals. This shows the strong demand for UAE golden visas in Pakistan. There are the following other reasons why many Pakistani investors consider investing in the UAE golden visa as a valid option:
Long-term Visa with Possible Citizenship
The UAE golden visa provides a 10-year renewable residency permit to its investors and a possibility of getting citizenship after living in the UAE for 30 years. This provides long-term stability to the businesses of investors who are entrepreneurs.
Global Mobility with UAE Passport
Pakistanis investing in UAE residency by program can get a global freedom of traveling visa-free to 140 popular destinations, including Japan, Srilanka, Malaysia, and the countries that are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. These Gulf Cooperation countries provide them with numerous employment opportunities in the finance and IT sectors. Moreover, the tax-free salaries in Qatar and Saudi Arabia make the visa more attractive for Pakistani citizens.
No Need for Local Sponsorship
The investors do not need any local sponsor for the application process of the UAE golden visa, as it is a self-sponsored visa and does not require sponsorship from an employer. Thus, the investors can make their decisions accordingly.
Economic Stability for a Secure Future
According to the Safety Index 2025, the UAE ranks #1 globally, claiming it as the ‘World’s Safest Country’ among 190+ countries, with a score of 85.2, because of its low crime rates, AI-driven security infrastructure, and social stability. The strong position of the UAE reveals that Pakistanis can, without any doubt, plan their future in the secure and safe environment of this country.
Family Sponsorship
Family is an essential part of the lives of Pakistani citizens. The majority of Pakistani investors consider moving to a country with their loved ones so that they can manage both their professional and personal lives by living in the same country. For this purpose, the UAE golden visa provides a family inclusion option to Pakistani citizens, which allows them to include their dependent family members, i.e., spouse, parents, siblings, and children, in the application process. Thus, the family members of investors can also benefit from the healthcare, educational systems, and high quality of life in the UAE.
Business Opportunities
The UAE provides countless business opportunities to its investors. The perfect geographical location of the country between Asia and Europe provides business potential to Pakistanis looking to expand their business in world-leading cross-border markets.
Beyond Residency a Lifestyle Upgrade
The Pakistanis looking for not just a residence but a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families can consider the UAE golden visa as a better choice because, by holding the UAE passport, they can get access to the best healthcare and world-class infrastructure. Moreover, there are exceptional educational systems in the UAE that will provide high-quality education to the families of Pakistani investors.
How much Investment for Golden Visa UAE Required?
Pakistanis looking to get residency in the UAE can choose from the following two popular investment options that the program provides to its investors:
UAE Golden Visa by Real Estate Investment
The real estate investment option is most often selected by investors because it provides them with an opportunity for property ownership in an advanced economy. This option opens the door to earning rental income. The golden visa requires the investors to own one or more properties in the UAE for at least AED 2 million. It further provides another option of an AED 750,000 investment to get a 2-year UAE residency permit.
UAE Golden Visa by Bank Deposit
UAE residency by investment program provides a secure option of a bank deposit to its investors looking for UAE residency. They can take advantage of this option by making a profit on their investment. The popular UAE banks that provide them with deposit options are Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Aiman Bank, RAK Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (AFB).
Conclusion
The UAE golden visa is the most in-demand program for Pakistanis who consider the UAE a haven for business expansion and a stable future. In 2024, more than 158,000 people got golden visas in Dubai alone because of the potential benefits it offers, including economic stability, global freedom, and long-term residency.