The UAE Golden Visa: who qualifies and what it gives you

01What it is

The Golden Visa is a ten-year renewable residence permit that does not depend on an employer or a sponsor. Holders can sponsor their spouse and children regardless of age, stay outside the UAE for longer than six months without losing residency, and sponsor domestic staff.

02The main routes

• Property investors: real estate worth AED 2 million or more, which may be mortgaged with an approved bank or bought off-plan from an approved developer
• Entrepreneurs: owners of a registered project of a technical or future nature with approval from the relevant authority
• Specialised talent: doctors, scientists, engineers and other professionals with a qualifying degree and an employment contract in the UAE
• Outstanding students and graduates of top universities with a high grade point average
• Executives with a monthly salary of AED 30,000 or more and a bachelor's degree

Each route has its own documents and its own approving body, and the detail changes from time to time, so eligibility should be checked against the current rules before any fee is paid.

03The process

Nomination or application through the ICP or the GDRFA in Dubai, approval, then a medical test, biometrics and the Emirates ID. Applicants already in the UAE on another visa change status without leaving. Allow four to eight weeks from a complete file.