Dubai 10 Year Golden Visa Explained
Table of Contents
Introduction
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is working on launching 50 new initiatives that will boost the country’s competitiveness and improve industrial development. Few of these projects include technology-based works that hope to attract residents and skilled workers from foreign countries. For this, the Government is focusing on creating new visa categories. One such category is the ‘Golden’ visa system.
What Is the UAE Golden Visa?
In 2019, the United Arab Emirates launched a new visa system for long-term visa holders. This is known as a Golden visa. This Golden Visa allows foreigners to live, work and study in the United Arab Emirates.
The 2019 amendment hopes to attract new foreign residents, especially to Dubai. Read on to learn about the eligibility criteria and advantages of the UAE Golden Visa.
Benefits of UAE Golden Visa
There are multiple benefits of holding a Golden Visa for the UAE, the most important being:
- Holding a UAE Golden Visa grants applicants full ownership of their businesses.
- You do not need a sponsor to qualify for a Golden Visa.
- In addition to serving as a six-month entry visa, it provides the flexibility of multiple entries and the issuance of residency permits.
- It also empowers residents to sponsor family members, encompassing spouses and children of all age groups. It also includes sponsoring of an unlimited number of domestic helps.
- In case the primary visa holder passes away before the end of visa duration, their family members can stay in the UAE till the end of the permit.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa?
Here is a list of individuals eligible (as per the UAE Cabinet Resolution) to apply for a UAE golden visa,
- Inventors
- Entrepreneurs
- Researchers and specialised talents in different fields of science and knowledge (doctors, researchers, scientists, investors and artists)
- Highly talented students with promising scientific capacities (high school and university students)
What Are the Requirements to Obtain a UAE Golden Visa?
Following are the requirements or conditions to obtain UAE golden visa –
1. Requirements for Foreign Investors
- For a 10 year visa, individuals with public investment worth at least AED 10 million (in the form of either an investment fund or a company) can apply for this visa.
- The Government will extend a 10-year visa to business partners (each) who contribute AED 10 million.
- On the other hand, individuals with at least AED 5 million can apply for a 5-year visa.
- Individuals should keep the amount invested for 3 years and must not loan it.
- In the case of assets, individuals must have full ownership. In addition, 60% of the fund must not be in the real estate arena.
- The long-term UAE golden visa includes the holder’s spouse, children, one chief executive director and an advisor.
2. Requirements for Individuals With Specialised Talent
- Individuals with specialised talents can apply for a 10-year UAE golden visa. They will obtain the visa only after they are granted accreditations by their respective departments and fields.
- Scientists must have accreditation by the Emirates Scientists Council or holders of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence. Creative individuals must have accreditation in culture and art by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
- Applicants must be an educator from any of the 500 international universities approved by the ministry of education.
- Doctors must have medical practitioner experience of 20 years in their field of expertise.
- Spouses and children of those individuals will get this visa as well.
3. Requirements for Real Estate Investors
Real Estate Investor (10-year visa): This option requires a minimum investment of AED 2,000,000 ($544,959.12 USD) in real estate.
Investment Fund Investor (10-year visa): You can obtain a Golden Visa by investing a minimum of AED 2,000,000 ($544,959.12 USD) in an eligible investment fund.
Real Estate Retired Investor (5-year visa): This pathway entails a minimum investment of AED 750,000 ($204,189 USD) in real estate and grants a 5-year Golden Visa. Please note that the investor should be 55 years and above.
Real Estate Investor ( 2- year visa) : This pathway entails a minimum investment of AED 750,000 ($204,189 USD) in real estate and grants a 2-years Golden Visa. Please note that the age of the investor should be less than 55 years
4. Requirements for Students and Specialists
Outstanding students must have at least a grade of 95% in private and public secondary schools.
Further, university students (inside and outside of the country) must have a distinction GPA of a minimum of 3.75 upon graduation.
5. Requirements for Entrepreneurs
Individuals who have an existing project of at least a capital of AED 500,000 (₹1,02,09,463) or have the approval of an authorised business incubator in the country can apply for UAE golden visa.
6. Requirements for Chief Executives
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and an experience of 5 years or above.
They must earn a salary of 30,000 AED or more in the UAE under a legitimate job contract.
7. Requirements for Families
The UAE golden visa also covers the families of the applicants.
From the above discussion, applicants can learn about UAE golden visa eligibility requirements. Now, let’s focus on the application procedure.
How to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa?
Individuals can apply for Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship — ICA (the eChannel for residency and citizenship) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
ICA allows online applications only. On the other hand, GDRFA enables both online and offline applications. Follow the steps mentioned below to complete UAE golden visa.
You can also apply for the Golden Visa with GenZone for a Quick & Easy Process.
How to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa Online Through ICA?
Step 1 – Visit the official website of ICA.
Step 2 – Select ‘Golden Visa’ under ‘Public Services’. Then select ‘Visa to Finalise the Procedures of Golden Residency’.
Step 3 – Provide required information and submit documents.
Step 4 – Pay service charge. Individuals have to wait for approval, after which they can successfully complete the application procedure.
Note: In case applicants are coming from outside of UAE, the ICA will have an entry permit (that has a validity of 6 months) and can be extended for another 6 months to complete the process of availing golden residency in the country.
How to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa Online Through GDRFA?
Step 1 – Visit the official website of the GDRFA Dubai website.
Step 2 – Select the Golden Visa form service list. Next, select ‘Investor Residency Visa (Golden Visa)’.
Step 3 – Select ‘Start Service’ and log in. Provide essential information and submit necessary documents.
Step 4 – Pay service charge. The respective authority will review the application and notify applicants of the next steps.
How to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa Offline Through GDRFA?
If you wish to apply through the offline mode, visit the licensed typing centres. Here, the professionals can type and process your visa application through the GDRFA of the respective emirate. If it is approved, you will receive a message regarding approval and the original entry permit.
What Is the Cost to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa?
The costs of a 5 year and 10 years UAE golden visa are AED 650 and AED 1,150 (approx.) respectively.
Now that individuals know about who can get a golden visa in UAE, i.e. its definition, eligibility, application procedure and other important things, let us see what are the features and benefits of having a Golden Visa.
What Are the Features and Benefits of a UAE Golden Visa?
Below are discussed the unique features and associated benefits of the UAE Golden Visa,
- Golden Visa allows foreign nationals to live, study, work and conduct business in the UAE region.
- With a UAE golden visa, applicants can get 100% ownership of their business.
- Apart from being an entry visa for six months, it allows multiple entries and an issuance of residency permits.
- It also allows the residents to sponsor their family members, including spouses and children of any age.
With such a detailed discussion, you can conclude your search on What is UAE Golden visa. Read the eligibility requirements carefully to successfully complete the UAE Golden visa application.
FAQ 1: Are coders eligible for a UAE Golden visa?
Yes, coders (UAE residents and foreign nationals) are eligible for a UAE Golden visa. Professional experts who have a successful career in diverse areas of coding, employees from international technological firms, or graduates of software engineering, computer science, hardware engineering or different coding-related fields of science.
FAQ 2: Can film stars obtain a UAE Golden visa?
Film stars can obtain a UAE Golden visa as they fall under the ‘Persons with specialised talents’ category. Creative individuals in culture can get this visa if they receive accreditation from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.
How GenZone can help you?
At GenZone, we specialize in providing tax reduction strategies, asset protection, and citizenship services to high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners. Book a Free Call with our team to get your hands on the Golden Visa.