The UAE’s Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa enabling foreign talents to live, work, or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students, and humanitarian pioneers are among those eligible for this prestigious visa. Here, we will focus on obtaining the Golden Visa through real estate investment.
What is the UAE’s Golden Visa?
The UAE’s Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa designed to attract foreign talents by offering them the opportunity to live, work, or study in the UAE. Key benefits include:
- An entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance.
- A long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years.
- The privilege of not needing a sponsor.
- The ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual six months to keep their residence visa valid.
- The ability to sponsor family members, including spouses and children, regardless of their ages.
- The ability to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic helpers.
- Family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration if the primary holder of the Golden Visa passes away.
For more details, visit the Golden Residency page.
Golden Visa Requirements
The requirements for obtaining a Golden Visa depend on the applicant’s category, such as investor, entrepreneur, or talented professional. Here, we focus on real estate investors and individuals with unique skill sets.
Real Estate Investors
Eligibility Requirements:
- Purchase real estate worth at least AED 2,000,000 (approximately $545,000).
- Properties must be located in Freehold Zones, where foreigners are permitted to buy real estate.
- An investor can take a mortgage with a down payment of 20%.
Costs:
- Purchase of Real Estate: $545,000+ (AED 2,000,000).
- Registration Fee: $21,800+ (AED 160,000).
- State Fees for Issuing Visas and Identity Cards: $1,043 (AED 3,860) per person.
- Medical Checkup: $220+ per person.
- Health Insurance: $400+ per person.
- Translation, Notarization, and Consular Legalization: $1,000+ per person.
Benefits:
- Long-term residency for 10 years.
- Ability to include spouse and children in the visa application.
- No additional investment required based on family composition.
Individuals with Unique Skill Sets
Eligibility Categories:
- Doctors and Scientists: Approval letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (for doctors) or a letter of recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists (for scientists).
- Inventors: Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy stating that your patent has added value to the country’s economy.
- Creative People in Culture and Art: Approval letter from the department of culture and arts in the respective emirate.
- Executive Directors: Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Ministry of Education, a letter of experience (at least 5 years in the same position), a salary certificate (minimum AED 50,000), and a valid work contract.
- Athletes: Recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils.
- Specialists in Engineering and Science: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certified by the Ministry of Education and a work contract.
- Outstanding Students: National-level high school toppers or university students with high academic achievements.
Benefits:
- Long-term residency for up to 10 years.
- Ability to include family members in the visa application.
- Opportunities for professionals in various fields to contribute to the UAE’s development.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining a UAE Residence Visa by Real Estate Investment
- Preliminary Due Diligence (1 day):
- Conducted by a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Officer to ensure high chances of visa approval.
- Evaluate your chances of getting a residency visa.
- Preparation of Documents and Getting a 6-Month Visa (5-7 weeks):
- Submit original documents for translation, notarization, and consular legalization.
- Receive a 6-month visa to visit the UAE, view properties, and undergo medical checkups.
- Purchase of Real Estate (5-6 weeks):
- Properties can be purchased without visiting the UAE.
- Assistance from professionals in selecting properties and completing the purchase.
- Medical Checkup (1-5 days):
- Conducted in a UAE clinic to test for infectious diseases and obtain a health certificate.
- Due Diligence and Getting the UAE Residence Visa (up to 30 days):
- Visit the UAE for visa application and biometric submission.
- The process typically takes 5-7 days, with up to 30 days for additional queries.
Other Residency Visa Options
For Business Owners:
- Establish a company in Free Zones or other areas.
- Obtain a 3-year residence visa, extendable to 5-10 years with a minimum investment of $136,000 or business incubator approval.
For Freelancers:
- Get a freelancer’s license in a free zone for a 3-year visa.
- Hold an employment agreement outside the UAE with a salary of over $5,000/month for a 1-year visa.
For Employees of Emirati Companies:
- Emirati companies can secure visas for new employees.
- The minimum cost for one visa is AED 6,000 ($1,630).
- The visa is valid for 2 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get a residency visa in the UAE?
To obtain a residency visa in the UAE, you can either invest in real estate, establish a business, or meet the requirements for specialized talents or outstanding students. The type of visa you choose will determine the specific steps and documentation needed.
What properties are suitable for investment to get a UAE residence visa?
Only properties in the Freehold Zones, which are designated areas where foreigners are permitted to buy real estate, qualify for the Golden Visa through investment. The minimum investment amount is AED 2,000,000.
What is the validity period of a UAE residence visa?
The validity period depends on the type of visa. Real estate investors can obtain a 10-year residence visa. Business owners and freelancers can get a visa valid for up to 3 years, while employees of Emirati companies typically receive a 2-year visa.
What is a UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa for foreign talents, enabling them to live, work, or study in the UAE. It offers several exclusive benefits, including a renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years.
How much is a Golden Visa in Dubai?
The cost of obtaining a Golden Visa in Dubai includes the investment amount (minimum AED 2,000,000 for real estate), registration fees, state fees for issuing visas and identity cards, medical checkup costs, health insurance, and document translation, notarization, and consular legalization fees.
Who’s eligible for a UAE Golden Visa?
Eligible categories include investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes. Specific criteria must be met within each category.
What is the purpose of the Golden Visa in the UAE?
The Golden Visa aims to attract and retain talented individuals and investors by offering them the opportunity to live, work, or study in the UAE with long-term residency and various benefits.
What are the benefits of the Dubai Golden Visa?
Benefits include long-term residency without needing a sponsor, the ability to stay outside the UAE for more than six months without losing residency status, sponsorship of family members, and sponsorship of an unlimited number of domestic helpers.
How long does it take to get a golden visa in the UAE?
The process typically takes around 5-7 weeks for document preparation and getting a 6-month visa, followed by another 5-7 days for visa application consideration, with up to 30 days for additional queries if needed.
Does a UAE Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
Currently, the UAE Golden Visa does not lead directly to citizenship. It grants long-term residency with various benefits but not citizenship.
Conclusion
The UAE Golden Visa program provides an excellent opportunity for long-term residency in a vibrant and economically thriving country. With clear steps and requirements, the process is designed to be efficient and straightforward, ensuring that investors and individuals with unique skills can enjoy the benefits of residing in the UAE.
For personalized assistance and detailed cost calculations, potential investors and talented professionals can schedule a meeting with experts to navigate the process smoothly.
By taking advantage of the UAE Golden Visa, you can secure a promising future in one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse nations. Whether through real estate investment or showcasing your unique skills, the Golden Visa offers a path to stability and growth in the UAE.
