Golden Visa Categories UAE

Golden visa UAE

In 2019, ten-year UAE golden visas were announced for select residents. Exactly as it sounds, if you have a UAE golden visa, you have residency in the UAE for 10 years. This residency is not tied to a particular employer and doesn’t need to be renewed every two to three years.

UAE golden visas enable expats to live, work and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor and with 100 percent ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland.

The Golden Visa is a special residency visa that allows holders to remain in any of the Emirates as residents for up to ten years.

Apply For A UAE Golden Visa With 10pro Consulting

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Whether you’re looking to expand your business, explore new career horizons, or simply enjoy the high standard of living and security the UAE offers, the UAE Golden Visa program may be your ticket to success.

Learn everything you need to know about this prestigious program, and get in touch today to start your application.

Who Can Apply For The Golden Visa?

Benefits Of The Uae Golden Visa

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign talents to live, work, or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits, which include:

No Sponsor Required

Enjoy long-term residency without requiring a local sponsor, enabling more independence.

Family Sponsorship

Visa holders are permitted to bring their immediate family members during their stay.

Visa Validity

Reduce frequent visa renewals and improve stability with the UAE Golden Visa’s decade-long validity.

Outside Country Stay

Experience great flexibility to stay outside the country for extended periods without losing visa status, a particularly beneficial feature for those who travel often or have businesses abroad.

Sponsor Support Services

Several sponsor support services are available, providing assistance and guidance throughout the visa process.

Documents Required

The expected duration of the process is 10 days.

Choose 10pro Consulting For Exceptional Expedited Visa Processing

With over a decade of immigration experience, Unity Partners Consulting specializes in guiding skilled professionals, investors, and students on their visa journey. Our approach combines understanding individual profiles with professional legal advice, focusing on personalized attention for each client.

We are committed to providing professional and honest guidance to all our clients across our range of programs, including our UAE Golden Visa program. Get in touch for an assessment of the UAE Golden Visa program today.

FAQs

UAE Golden Visa

What is the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence program by the United Arab Emirates, granting foreigners up to 10 years of residency. Typical applicants include investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and exceptional talents, enabling business and lifestyle opportunities in the UAE without needing a national sponsor.

Who is eligible for a Golden Visa in the UAE?

As the UAE Golden Visa targets individuals who can contribute significantly to the UAE’s economy, cultural and scientific advancement, and technological innovation, the program extends to investors, entrepreneurs, special talents, scientists, professionals in various fields, exceptional students, and graduates.

What documents are required for a UAE Golden Visa?

A UAE Golden Visa application requires a passport copy, a photo with a white background, a visa application form, proof of investment or eligibility in the specified category, a clean criminal record certificate, and possibly a medical fitness report and health insurance. Of course, specific requirements may vary based on the applicant’s category.

How long does the application process take for a UAE Golden Visa?

While the application process for a UAE Golden Visa can vary (typically around a few weeks to a couple of months), Unity Partners Consulting offers expedited visa processing and can complete your application within ten days.

Can I bring my family under the UAE Golden Visa?

Yes, under the UAE Golden Visa program, you can sponsor your family, including your spouse and children, regardless of age. This sponsorship also extends to domestic workers and provides the family with the same visa duration as the primary holder, allowing applicants to maintain family stability and unity during their stay in the UAE.

What are my rights and responsibilities as a UAE Golden Visa holder?

With a UAE Golden Visa, you are entitled to a range of benefits, including long-term residency, the ability to live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a national sponsor, and full ownership of your business on the UAE’s mainland. You also have the freedom to sponsor your family members and domestic workers.

Your responsibilities as a UAE Golden Visa holder include complying with all UAE laws and regulations, ensuring the renewal of your visa before expiry, and maintaining the criteria that qualify you for the Golden Visa, such as investment thresholds or professional qualifications.

How do I renew my UAE Golden Visa?

To renew your UAE Golden Visa, you must submit a renewal application before expiration. This involves providing updated documents, such as passport and visa copies and proof of continued eligibility for your visa category. Remember that renewal may also require a medical fitness test and an updated health insurance policy.

Can I apply for citizenship after holding the UAE Golden Visa?

Not necessarily, as holding a UAE Golden Visa does not directly lead to citizenship. The UAE’s citizenship laws are distinct and generally restrictive, prioritizing descent and legal residency. Often, citizenship applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and typically require deep-rooted ties and significant contributions to the UAE.

How does the UAE Golden Visa compare to other countries' residency programs?

The UAE Golden Visa, offering up to 10 years of residency, is unique in its focus on investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. Compared to other residency programs, it emphasizes economic, cultural, and scientific contributors and provides long-term stability without a local sponsor. The UAE Golden Visa also stands out for its special business ownership benefits and relatively straightforward renewal process.

Golden Visa in Dubai

Several important amendments have been introduced to the Golden Visa scheme, aimed at simplifying eligibility criteria and broadening the categories of applicants.

This updated framework now allows investors, scientists, academics, frontline workers, and entrepreneurs to apply for this long-term visa.

In accordance with the amendments, those who fall under the Golden Visa categories UAE can acquire their visa, and will be allowed to sponsor their spouses and children, regardless of their age, and sponsor support services (domestic help) without restrictions.

Additionally, Golden Residency does not limit the duration of stay outside the UAE.

Upon the death of a primary holder of a UAE Golden Visa, family members have the right to stay in the country until the expiration of that permit.

According to the UAE Cabinet, the eligibility criteria for Golden Visa in Dubai, UAE have been expanded to include the following:

Golden Visa for Scientists

In accordance with the recommendations of the Emirates Scientists Council, this residence is offered to scientists and researchers with high achievement and influence under the following conditions:

Graduates from the top universities in engineering, technology, life sciences, and natural sciences
Should hold a Ph.D. or master’s degree,
Substantial research achievements

Golden Visa for Exceptional Talents

This visa may be granted to talented individuals in various fields.

Individuals are judged solely on their skill, regardless of their education, employment status, monthly salary, or level of expertise.

A federal or local government entity must recommend or approve individuals with talent in culture, sport, design, digital technology, invention, and other vital fields.

Golden Visa For Athletes

For persons excelling in various sports activities, a recommendation letter from the UAE Golden Visa authority is required.

Golden Visa For Holders of Doctoral degrees

Those must provide a certified copy of a doctoral degree from the Ministry of Education with doctorates and valid work contracts.

Golden Visa For Doctors

A wide range of specializations is available in this field. Veterinary doctors are included in this category.

Those who apply for a Golden Visa for doctors must have a letter certifying their medical practice from the Health Authority or Ministry of Health of their country.

Golden Visa For Inventors

As a mandatory document for inventors, the Ministry of Economy must verify patents add value to the country’s economy.

Golden Visa For Executive Directors

Professionals in top company positions like General Managers, Chief Financial Officers, Executive Directors, CEOs, Chairmen of Board of Directors, or any position where a salary certificate of AED 50,000 can be provided & have held that position for at least five years are considered eligible to apply through this category.

Golden Visa For Engineers & Specialists in Science

Professionals applying for a Golden Visa for engineers and as specialists in Science must fulfill certain criteria.

An attested bachelor’s degree and a valid work contract mentioning the specialization are required for the following specializations: Epidemiology and Virology, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering & Big Data, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Genetic Engineering, and Biotechnology Engineering.

Golden Visa For Dubai Cultural Visa

The ministry recently introduced an innovative 10-year cultural visa.

Culture and creativity include music, fine arts, photography, film, video production, video game production, fashion, graphic design, product design, landscape design, architectural services, advertising services, and information technology and software development.

Golden Visa for Professionals

There is a growing need for professionals with knowledge and expertise in various fields, such as medicine, science, engineering, IT, business, law, and culture.

Professionals are eligible for Golden Residence based on the following criteria:

Applicants must have a valid employment contract in the UAE.
They should be classified in the first or second level under ISCO by the International Labour Organization, as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization classification.
An monthly salary of not less than Dhs30,000 is required.
Applicants must also have a minimum level of education.

Golden Visa For Real Estate Investors

Investing in property worth more than AED 2 million (USD 5,44,528.80) will qualify investors for a Golden Visa in Dubai.

Additionally, according to the new amendments, investors who setup a business in Dubai or any other Emirate can get the Golden Residence if they purchase properties with loans from specific local banks.

Moreover, investors can obtain the residence by purchasing one or more off-plan properties from approved local real estate companies for no less than AED 2 million (USD 5,44,528.80).

Golden Visa For Entrepreneurs

The Golden Visa is available to entrepreneurs who meet flexible requirements by administrative regulations.

As the minimum requirement :

Startups in the SME category must be registered in the country and have annual revenue of at least AED 1 million.
An official business incubator must approve the startup idea and the Ministry of Economy or the relevant local authorities to qualify for a Golden Visa.
Should be a founder (or one of the founders) of an entrepreneurial project that sold for not less than AED 7 million.
Must be approved by the Ministry of Economy or the relevant local authority for any project or idea.

Golden Visa for Outstanding Students and Graduates

High achieving students from secondary schools and universities (ranking top 100 worldwide) may qualify for the visa depending on specific criteria, including academic performance, year of graduation, and university ranking.

Golden Visa for Humanitarian Pioneers

You can apply for the newly amended golden visa if you are a distinguished member of an international or regional organization, an outstanding member of an association that serves the public good, a recipient of humanitarian awards, or a distinguished volunteer sponsoring humanitarian efforts.

Golden Visa for Frontline Workers

In crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, frontline workers may also be granted Golden Visas.

UAE Golden Visa Benefits

There are a number of benefits associated with the Golden Visa in the UAE, including:

The issuance of a residency permit after the issuance of an entry visa for six months with multiple entries.
The ten-year residence visa is long-term and renewable
Self-sponsored visas
Having the right to stay outside of the UAE without having their visa nullified for any period of time
Families, including spouses and children, can be sponsored, regardless of age.
When a primary holder of the Golden Visa passes away, family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit period.

Benefits for Abu Dhabi Residents

Discounts and offers will be available to Golden Visa holders in Abu Dhabi on cars, property, health care, hospitality, health insurance, and banking services. In addition, the Resident’s office has partnered with companies from multiple industries to offer incentives.
As a result of commercial partnerships between the Abu Dhabi Residents Office and the developer Imkan Properties, Abu Dhabi golden visa holders will receive discounts on selected properties.
There will be reduced mortgage fixed-interest rates for real estate golden visa investors and attractive savings rates for non-real estate investors at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
A bundle of benefits will be available to holders inside and outside the UAE, including annual health insurance premiums reductions.
As well as receiving special payment facilities, maintenance offers, and licensing services, golden visa holders will receive price reductions on cars and priority booking for new releases.
Hotel stays and spa treatments will be included in special offers for guests.

Benefits for Dubai Residents

Residents with golden visas in Dubai and home country licenses can take a UAE driver’s test without additional instruction.
If the golden visa holders are from one of 32 approved countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, Qatar, Kuwait, and Ireland, they will automatically qualify for a UAE driving license.
To attract outstanding expatriate students and their families to Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced a 10-year Golden Visa program for outstanding expatriate students and their families.
Additionally, they will receive discounts at Dubai’s international university branches for higher education.

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