The UAE Golden Visa, also knowns as the Dubai Golden Visa, is a long-term residency program allowing eligible foreign nationals to live, work, and study in the UAE for five or ten years, with easy renewal.
Through real estate investment, public investment, or entrepreneurial ventures, applicants can gain residency by meeting criteria.
UAE Golden Visa benefits include tax-free living, exceptional healthcare and education, family sponsorship, and access to one of the world’s most dynamic economies.
In this ultimate 2025 guide you will learn about:
UAE Golden Visa Quick Facts
| Program Name | UAE Golden Visa |
| Validity | 5 to 10 years (renewable) |
| Purpose | To attract investors and individuals with exceptional talents who can contribute to the UAE economy |
| Eligible Applicants | Investors, entrepreneurs, teachers, exceptional talents, scientists, professionals, and humanitarian pioneers |
| Application Process | Obtain an entry visa → Make the investment → Submit the application with supporting documents → Track status via SMS and email |
| Processing Time | Approximately 3 months |
| Application Cost | AED 8,000- AED 10,500 |
| Minimum Salary Requirement | AED 30,000 (supported by a salary certificate) |
| Key Benefits | Long-term residency, visa-free travel to select destinations, real estate investment opportunities, and family inclusion |
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa, commonly referred to as the Dubai Golden Visa, is a long-term residence program designed for investors and skilled professionals, offering renewable 5- or 10-year visas. It allows holders to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a local sponsor. Key advantages include the freedom to stay abroad for more than six months, the ability to sponsor family members and domestic staff, and full ownership of businesses in the country.
Top 12 UAE Golden Visa Benefits
As of October 2025, the top Golden Visa UAE benefits include:
- Long-term residency: The UAE Golden Visa grants a renewable 10-year residency, ensuring long-term stability for personal and professional growth.
- Freedom to work and live in the UAE: The UAE Golden Visa program does not require a local sponsor, meaning Dubai Golden Visa holders can live, work, and study in the UAE.
- Tax-free income: There is no personal income tax in the United Arab Emirates, allowing residents to keep more of their earnings, making it financially attractive for investors.
- Family inclusion: The Golden Visa Dubai allows you to sponsor your spouse and children, regardless of their age, so your loved ones can share in the UAE experience.
- Support with domestic help: UAE Golden Visa holders can sponsor as many domestic helpers as they need, such as nannies or drivers. This not only adds to daily comforts but also helps younger children integrate into UAE life.
- Access to top-quality healthcare: Healthcare in the UAE is fantastic, with various medical facilities throughout the country, making healthcare accessible for all.
- Multiple entries allowed: One of the best UAE Golden Visa benefits is that applicants are entitled to multiple entries, so you can come and go freely without reapplying.
- Stable economy: The United Arab Emirates has an extremely stable economy. It is one of the main reasons the country is such an attractive option for foreign investors. The UAE’s economy makes planning for your future much more reliable, while also providing peace of mind for future generations.
- Flexibility for travel: You can stay outside the UAE for extended periods without losing your residency status. The United Arab Emirates is also in the ideal location, between Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it a strategic hub for travel and business.
- Esaad privilege card benefits: The Esaad Card offers discounts at over 7,000 UAE businesses and in 92 countries worldwide, adding even more value to your UAE residency.
- Job opportunities: With a thriving economy and continuous expansion across various sectors, the UAE offers diverse career prospects. Key industries include IT, blockchain development, healthcare, digital marketing, real estate, logistics, and renewable energy, among others.
- Expat friendly environment: The United Arab Emirates is one of the most expat friendly nations in the world. In fact, expats make up over 88% of the UAE population. The country is very open to expats with UAE residency, with a large English speaking population, a range of international schools, and thriving expat communities throughout the country.
Who can apply for the Golden Visa in UAE?
The UAE Golden Visa is open to a wide range of individuals, including entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, frontline heroes, humanitarian pioneers, and high-achieving students or graduates.
- Investors: Real estate investors who purchase a property worth at least AED 2 million (approximately $545,000) or make significant public investments in investment funds or UAE companies or a bank deposit.
- Entrepreneurs: Founders of start-up companies registered as SMEs in the UAE with annual revenues of at least AED 1 million (approximately $270,000), or those who have sold their entrepreneurial project for over AED 7 million (approximately $1.9 million).
- Exceptional talents: Inventors, innovators, and talents in vital fields such as culture, art, sports, and digital technology, regardless of their educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary or professional level.
- Scientists and professionals: Individuals with specialized degrees or experience in fields such as medicine, engineering, science, research, and technology.
- Outstanding students and graduates: Top students and graduates from UAE universities and those with a GPA of at least 3.8 out of 4.0 or equivalent.
- Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes: Individuals who have made significant humanitarian contributions or served on the frontlines during emergencies.
Golden Visa UAE Eligibility
- Must be a non-UAE national
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a legal source of income, depending on the visa category
- Must have a clean criminal record
- Must have valid medical insurance that is approved by the UAE authorities.
- Must be in good health with no communicable diseases, verified by a medical fitness certificate.
- Applicants should not have any outstanding debts in the UAE, as this may affect their eligibility for residency.
Important to note: The UAE Golden Visa does not offer UAE citizenship. Additionally, each residency pathway will have its own UAE Golden Visa eligibility criteria; it’s essential to understand what is required for your application before applying.
Can family members be sponsored under the UAE Golden Visa?
Holders of the UAE Golden Visa can include family members in their sponsorship, such as spouses, children, and parents. Under this program, daughters face no age limits, while sons can be sponsored up to age 25, offering more flexibility than standard visas. Sponsored family members receive a Golden Visa matching the primary holder’s duration, and in the event of the holder’s passing, the family is allowed to remain in the UAE until the visa expires.
Golden Visa UAE Requirements to sponsor dependents in the UAE
- Ensure they have a valid Golden Visa
- Meet the income requirements (currently AED 4,000 per month or AED 3,000 plus accommodation)
- Provide required documents like passport copies, marriage/birth certificates, employment contracts, etc.
- Apply through the relevant authority (GDRFA in Dubai, DED in Abu Dhabi)
- Pay the applicable visa fees
UAE Golden Visa Document Requirements
- A valid passport with at least six months validity.
- A recent passport-sized color photo with a white background.
- Valid health insurance for the applicant and their family members.
- Proof of family relationships (birth certificates, marriage certificates).
- A current UAE residence permit (if applicable).
- An Emirates ID card copy (if applicable).
Note: All documents must be officially translated into Arabic and notarized.
UAE Golden Visa 2025 Application Process
- Check Eligibility: Review the specific Golden Visa requirements based on your category. Working with an immigration advisor or UAE Golden Visa lawyer can help determine the most suitable category and ensure you meet the criteria.
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather all necessary documents, which typically include a valid passport, proof of investment, academic qualification, police clearance, health insurance, and employment contracts.
- Submit Your Application: Apply through the official UAE government portals—the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), depending on the emirate. Applications can also be submitted through authorized service centers.
- Pay Visa Fees: Submit the required documents and pay applicable fees. Costs may vary based on the emirate and visa type, but expect to budget between AED 8,000 and AED 10,000.
- Complete Medical and Biometric Testing: After preliminary approval, undergo a medical fitness test at a licensed clinic and complete biometric verification for your Emirates ID. Most applicants are granted a six-month multiple-entry visa to enter the UAE and finalize these steps, especially if applying from abroad.
- Await Final Approval: Application review typically takes 7–10 business days, though timelines may vary depending on the visa category and documentation provided.
- Receive Your Golden Visa: Upon approval, your UAE residency permit will be issued. Depending on your qualifying pathway, this permit is valid for either five or ten years.
- Apply for Emirates ID: Finally, apply for your Emirates ID, which includes biometric data capture and is essential for residency and daily life in the UAE.
Golden Visa UAE Price
The UAE Golden Visa cost varies based on the residency pathway. For example, the 10-year Golden Visa UAE cost will differ to the five-year visa. However, here are some of the various costs that most applicants will incur during the application process:
| Visa application fee | Approximately AED 2,856.75 for the residency permit |
| UAE ID application fee | Approximately AED 1,153 for a 10-year Emirates ID |
| Medical examination fee | Approximately AED 700 for the medical fitness test |
| Administrative processing fee | Approximately AED 1,155 |
| Land department fee | Approximately AED 4,020 |
| Consular legalization | Approximately AED 1,000 (around $272) per person |
| Family residence permit fee (if applicable) | Approximately AED 5,774.50 for each dependent for a 10-year residency |
| Family sponsorship file opening fee (if applicable) | Approximately AED 318.75 |
Taxes in the UAE for Golden Visa Holders
Golden Visa holders in the UAE do not pay personal income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes. However, they are subject to a 5% VAT on most goods and services. Certain investors may also have additional requirements, such as obtaining a tax residency certificate or paying a minimum annual tax.
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Income Tax | 0% on personal income |
| Capital Gains Tax | 0% on property sales |
| Inheritance Tax | 0% on inherited assets |
| VAT | 5% on most goods and services |
For individuals residing in the UAE for 183 days or more, it’s possible to apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate (TRC). This allows access to double taxation agreements with over 130 countries—potentially reducing tax obligations abroad.
Additionally, as of 2023, businesses earning above AED 375,000 are subject to a 9% corporate tax. Certain free zone entities may remain exempt, depending on compliance with qualifying activity criteria.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
