How to Get Golden Visa UAE

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What is Golden Visa UAE?

Golden Visa UAE is a long-term residence visa that allows foreigners to stay, work, or study in the UAE. The visa is renewable and is valid for 5 to 10 years depending upon the visa category.

The golden visa UAE meaning is that it attracts skilled individuals who can contribute to the country's economic progress and development.
Golden Visa UAE enables foreigners to reside in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor. They can also enjoy 100% ownership of their business in the UAE. This visa is not tied to an individual's employment with any organization.
UAE Flag and Plane

Who is Eligible for UAE Golden Visa?

The following categories of people can apply for a Golden residence visa in the UAE:

Investors in public investment funds.

Real estate investors who own properties.

Entrepreneurs who manage economic projects based on risk & innovation.

Individuals with specialized talents, such as scientists, inventors, executives, doctoral degree holders, specialists in science & engineering, athletes, and creative people in arts & culture.

Highly-skilled professionals in the areas of medicine, law, education, information technology, business administration, and social sciences.

Outstanding high school students & university graduates.

Pioneers of humanitarian work.

Frontline heroes engaged in extraordinary work, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

How to Apply for a Golden Visa UAE?

The application for a Golden Visa UAE can be made either online or through the offline procedure. The following steps describe how to get a Golden Visa UAE:

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Online Procedure:

Step 1

Go to the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs Dubai (GDRFA). Click on the golden visa option.

Step 2

Enter your GDRFA login credentials. You can also use the details of your UAE pass.

Step 3

Provide relevant details of your stay in the UAE. It includes your UID number, current visa number, and international bank account number (IBAN).

Step 4

Submit soft copies of your Emirates ID and other required documents.

Step 5

Make the payment for your golden visa application in the payments portal.

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Offline Procedure:

You can make a physical visit to the Amer Center in Dubai and make an application for a golden residence visa. Fill up the application form and submit all the required documents along with it. Pay the requisite fees and wait for your application to get processed. You will be duly notified once your application is approved.

What are the Requirements for a Golden Visa in the UAE?

The eligibility criteria for a UAE golden visa are different for variouscategories of people. The eligibility criteria for investors and entrepreneurs are not the same as those for people with specialized talents, such as scientists and inventors. Professional athletes and people engaged in creative fields have very different requirements.

It is recommended that you check the eligibility criteria applicable to the specific category to which you belong before applying for a golden visa in the UAE.

What are the Benefits of a Golden Visa in the UAE?

Golden visa holders enjoy a number of other benefits that are typically not available to other people. The details are provided below.

Long-Term Residency

Golden visa holders can live, work, or study in the UAE for up to 10 years without worrying about their visa status. Apart from a 6-month entry visa, it permits multiple entries and the issuance of a residency permit.

Self-Sponsorship

Golden visa is not tied to any employer or their sponsorship. The Golden visa holders are not dependent upon external sponsorship to stay in the UAE. They can reside in the country even if they are not employed.

No Restrictions on Travel

Golden visa permits the holders to travel and spend time (beyond six months) outside the UAE. A standard visa loses its validity if the holder remains outside the UAE for more than 6 months.

Family Sponsorship

Golden visa holders can sponsor their family members without any restrictions on the dependent’s age. The family members can continue to stay in the UAE even if the primary visa holder expires during the term of the visa. The visa also allows the holders to employ an unlimited domestic staff.

Health Insurance Benefits

The holders of the UAE golden visa are now eligible for exclusive health insurance schemes. The premium for these plans starts at around AED 2,400 for annual health insurance coverage of AED 300,000. These dedicated plans provide coverage up to AED 20 million and policyholders can get global coverage. All categories of golden visa holders (and their dependents) are eligible for this plan. It can be customized as per individual requirements.

What are the Categories of Golden Visa UAE?

The UAE Golden Visa is granted under the following six categories to eligible applicants.

Real Estate Investors

Individuals who invest AED 2 million and above in real estate can apply under this category

Exceptionally Talented Individuals

People with special talents in the fields of art, culture, sports, digital technology, medicine, etc can apply under this category. The visa is granted purely on the basis of an individual's talent, regardless of education, employment, and income levels.

Scientists

Researchers with master's or doctoral degrees from the world's top universities in science, engineering, or technology can apply for a golden visa. A recommendation from the Emirates Scientists' Council is essential.

Entrepreneurs

Investors in startup companies registered in the UAE and categorized under small & medium enterprises (SME) can apply for a golden residence visa

Skilled Workers

Individuals who fall under occupational level 1 or 2 as defined by the government and hold a valid employment contract can apply for a golden visa. A bachelor's degree is essential for these workers.

Students

Secondary school students or university graduates with high academic scores can apply under this category

How Much Does a Golden Visa Cost?

The entry permit fee for the applicants of Golden Visa UAE is currently AED 1,250. It includes:

Issuance Fee -

AED 1,000

Application Fee -

AED 100

Smart Services Fee -

AED 100

Electronic Services Fee -

AED 28

ICP

AED 22

What is the Processing Time for a UAE Golden Visa?

It takes around 30 days to process and approve your application for a UAE Golden Visa. It usually depends upon the number of applications to be processed. The approval letter is issued electronically to the applicants.

What is the Validity of a UAE Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa UAE is a long-term residence visa with a validity of 5 or 10 years, depending upon the visa category. The holders are also eligible to get a 6-month multiple-entry visa to complete the visa procedures and formalities.

Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Golden Visa

No. The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa with a maximum validity of 10 years. It has to be renewed at the end of this period.

Standard visa holders lose the validity of their visas if they stay outside the UAE beyond six months. But this restriction is not applicable to the golden visa holders. They can stay abroad as long as they want without affecting their visa validity.

The UAE Golden Visa is not tied to your employment with any particular organization. You can continue your stay in the UAE without employment until the visa remains valid.

Disclaimer: The nations, visa costs, and other information presented here are derived from a variety of sources. This is not a recommendation or promotion from Prominent Insurance Brokers. Before purchasing your tickets or requesting a visa, please confirm the same.