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Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Golden Visa Applicants

— Dubai Golden Visa offers 5 to 10 years of residency, business ownership, and a sponsor-free lifestyle for investors, professionals, and top talents.
By Emily WilsonPUBLISHED: August 21, 15:12UPDATED: August 21, 15:18 5360
Dubai skyline with UAE flag representing Dubai Golden Visa benefits and long-term residency

The Dubai Golden Visa is a special permit that allows individuals to reside in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a long-term basis. It will enable foreign nationals to live, work, and study in Dubai without a local sponsor. The validity of the visa may be five or ten years, and depending on the fulfillment of the eligibility standards, it may again be renewed.

The initiative is included in the UAE strategy to attract investors, top talent professionals, entrepreneurs, and talented persons, as well as to contribute to the development of the country.

This article will go into simple terms to break down the Dubai Golden Visa requirements and what categories you could apply under.

What is the Golden Visa of Dubai?

The Dubai Golden Visa has been introduced to provide long-term stability to those who wish to establish residency in the UAE. It gives, unlike ordinary residency visas:

  • 10-year long-term stay

  • Business ownership in full form

  • The necessity to obtain a local sponsor is not necessary.

  • The privilege to sponsor relatives

  • Travelling in and out of the UAE is also easy

It is not restricted to any particular category of people, and thus, all could include investors, skilled professionals, property owners, entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and those with special talents.

Requirements of Golden Visa Applicants: Who Can Apply?

The Golden Visa requirements also differ depending on the category under which you make the application. Each category has its requirements and minimum regulations.

1. Investor Category

The UAE economy involves a large role for investors. You can get the Dubai Golden Visa depending on how much you can invest.

Eligibility

  • A minimum of AED 2 million must be invested in: property, shares of a company, or a recognized investment fund.

  • There should be legal documentation of the investment.

  • You must hold the investment for at least two years.

Examples of eligible investments

  • Purchasing real estate of value or more than AED 2 million.

  • Buying stocks of a firm that is based in Dubai.

  • Investing in an investment scheme approved by the government of the UAE.

2. Professional Visa

The Skilled Visa Professional is meant to cover those with high qualifications and valuable expertise.

Eligibility

  • A good employment contract in Dubai.

  • The career should be on the UAE government-approved list.

  • Salaries that are more than AED 30,000 per month (at least in some cases, there are lower salaries that are accepted depending on the profession).

  • At least a Bachelor of Arts in your discipline.

Approved fields include

  • Health and medics

  • Engineering

  • Technology, science

  • Law

  • Education

  • Information technology

3. Entrepreneur Eligibility

The Dubai Golden Visa may also be acquired by entrepreneurs and the founders of startups.

Eligibility

  • You should be a partner or owner of a company that generates a yearly business of 1 million AED or more.

  • OR, you need to have a startup idea accepted into a UAE business incubator.

  • Experience in business and a sound business plan.

It is the right category if one is an innovator in such fields as technology, health, sustainability, etc.

4. Property Ownership

Holding real estate in Dubai is one of the qualifications to obtain the Golden Visa.

Eligibility

  • It should be a property value of AED 2 million and above.

  • It should be a finished and ready property (off-plan).

  • The value of more than one property may be joined together in order to satisfy the requirement.

  • Houses offered on mortgage can be applied for on condition that you have settled a certain percentage, as stipulated by the government.

5. Best Students and Graduates

The UAE also offers Golden Visas to students with the highest achievements.

Eligibility

  • One is being one of the most highly ranked students in the secondary schools or universities in the UAE.

  • Completing a degree in one of the top 100 universities in the world.

  • Keeping a high GPA and an academic excellence certificate.

6. Scientists and Researchers

This visa might be yours if you are an innovative researcher or scientist.

Eligibility

  • A degree either in science, technology, or engineering- Phd or a Master's degree from an accredited college.

  • Major research papers have been published in highly recognized scientific journals.

  • A suggestion of one of the reputable scientific organizations of the UAE.

7. Special Talents

It is also the policy of Dubai to receive individuals with outstanding talents in the fields of arts, sports, culture, and media.

Eligibility

  • International accolades or fame in your profession.

  • The support of a cultural or sports authority of the UAE.

  • Sound history in the field you work in.

8. Family Sponsorship

Among the greatest advantages of the Dubai Golden Visa is that one can bring the family.

You may sponsor

  • Your spouse.

  • Children(sons till 25 years old, unmarried daughters are not limited in age).

  • Your parents.

  • Domestic workers.

They are entitled to the visa tenure of the main applicant to be shared by family members.

Documents Required for the Dubai Golden Visa

The documentation will be different according to your category, but will largely consist of:

  • Clean copy of passport.

  • Passport-sized photographs.

  • Evidence of investment, property ownership, or work.

  • Skilled professional (educational) certificates.

  • Salary statements (to the skilled professionals).

  • Legal health insurance in the UAE.

  • Letters of recommendation (where necessary).

How to Apply for the Dubai Golden Visa

  • Choose your category: You have to ensure that you belong to either an investor, skilled professional, owner of property, entrepreneur, or other category who is qualified.

  • Prepare your documents: Get all the proofs required and arrange them to fulfil the requirements of the Golden Visa.

  • Make the application: Go to the UAE immigration portal, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs(GDRFA), or any authorized typing centre to make your application.

  • Pay the fees: Fees are according to categories and the length of stay.

  • Get your visa: Once you have been approved, a visa will be issued and marked in your passport or issued digitally.

Visa Duration and Renewal

  • 5-Year Visa: It could be applied for by some property owners, entrepreneurs, and distinguished students.

  • 10-Year Visa: Issued to large investors, persons with high-level skills and expertise, as well as scientists and top talents.

Both forms can be renewed provided you can still pass the criteria.

Advantages of the Dubai Golden Visa

  • Security of long-term residence.

  • The right to reside, work, and study anywhere in the UAE.

  • There is no need for a local sponsor.

  • Full control of your company.

  • No vigorous family sponsorship.

  • Insurance for good healthcare and education.

  • Streamlined financial protocols for banking and investments.

Who is Eligible To Apply for the Dubai Golden Visa?

You will want to apply if you are:

  • An investor who has an AED 2 million asset in Dubai or more.

  • Experienced, well-paid, and degreed worker.

  • A business person who has a highly profitable business or a startup that has been sanctioned.

  • An individual owning a property where the assets are qualifying.

  • An elite student, scientist, or talent in your area.

Final Thoughts

Dubai Golden Visa can provide an investor with more than a residence; it is an opportunity to develop a safe future in one of the most dynamic cities on the planet.

It does not matter which route you take, whether it is the Skilled Professional Visa, the investor category, property ownership, or a talented person; it is a straightforward process so long as you fall under the Golden Visa requirements.

Having proper preparation, proper documentation, and detailing, you can enjoy 5 or 10 years of stability, growth, and opportunity in Dubai.

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Emily Wilson

Emily Wilson is a content strategist and writer with a passion for digital storytelling. She has a background in journalism and has worked with various media outlets, covering topics ranging from lifestyle to technology. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring new coffee shops.

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