The comprehensive adjustments, which were initially announced on Monday, April 18, by the UAE Cabinet, which is chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, are already helping the economy of the nation.
A new set of executive orders has streamlined the requirements for the UAE Golden Residence Scheme and increased the categories of people who can apply for the 10-year long-term visa.
Investors, business owners, remarkable talent, scientists, professionals, great students, recent graduates, humanitarian trailblazers, and frontline heroes who match the requirements for the visa will be granted a 10-year residency permit.
UAE Golden Visa: 6 step guide to apply and how much it costs
New UAE Golden Visa rules came into effect earlier this month. Here’s how to begin the application process
Steps to apply for UAE’s Golden Visa
Candidates who meet the requirements can use the GDRFA-Dubai Smart Application to apply for a Golden Visa. The six steps they would have to take are as follows:
STEP 1 – Download the GDRFA-Dubai application through the authorized stores: Apple store/Play store
STEP 2 – Register a new user account (in case there is no account registered)
STEP 3 – Select the required service
STEP 4 – Attach the required documents
STEP 5 – Pay the fees due for the service
STEP 6 – Submit the request
Through AMER Center, qualified applicants may also apply for the UAE’s Golden Visa. The six steps that must be taken are listed below:
STEP 1 – Head to one of the service branches of the Amer Centers
STEP 2 – Select the required service at the receptionist
STEP 3 – Submit the required documents to the service employee
STEP 4 – Checking documents
STEP 5 – Pay the fees due for the service
STEP 6 – Submit application
If there are any missing documents, they must be corrected within 30 days, and a text message and email are sent to the applicant informing them of the situation.
Applicants will also get SMS messages with notifications about the approval procedure.
UAE’s Golden Visa: Eligibility criteria and how much it would cost you:
Golden Visa for Athletes
Golden Visa for creative specialists in Culture and Art
Golden Visa for Executive Directors
Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs
Golden Visa for Retired Foreigners
Golden Visa for Investors
Golden Visa for Specialists in Engineering and Science
Golden Visa for Inventors
Golden Visa for Scientists
Golden Visa for Outstanding Students
Golden Visa for Doctors
Golden Visa for Athletes
This category includes the Golden Residency Visa, which is given for 10 years without a sponsor to those with specialized skills and researchers in various branches of science and knowledge and is renewable.
Requirements:
Applicants would need a recommendation letter from the General Authority of Sports in Dubai OR Dubai Sports Council.
A copy of the sponsored passport.
Golden Visa cost for Athletes:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for creative specialists in Culture and Art
This category includes the Golden Residency Visa, which is given for 10 years without a sponsor to those with specialized skills and researchers in various branches of science and knowledge and is renewable.
Requirements:
Applicants will need a recommendation letter from Dubai culture and Arts Authority.
A copy of the sponsored passport.
Golden Visa cost for creative specialists in Culture and Art:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Executive Directors
A Golden Residency Visa for specialized talents and researchers in many sectors of science and knowledge may be awarded under this category to an Executive Director and members of his family for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to renewal.
Requirements:
Executive Directors would require an “NOC” letter from the company that does not mind the golden residency, also mentioned that the service period is not less than 5 years as a general manager – executive director – chairman of the board of directors.
Attested bachelor’s degree or higher degree.
Salary certificate which should not be less then AED 50,000 monthly.
Labour contract with the same profession and salary at the salary certificate.
Bank statement for the last 6 months.
Golden Visa cost for Executive Directors:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs
An entrepreneur who owns an economic project of a technical or futuristic character focused on risk & innovation is granted a Golden Residency Visa for 5 years under this category.
Requirement:
The applicant would require an approval letter from Dubai Future Foundation.
Golden Visa cost for Entrepreneurs:
5 years golden visa: Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Retired Foreigners
A retired foreign national may be awarded a Golden Residency Visa under this category for a term of five years without a sponsor, subject to renewal.
Requirement:
The applicant would need a bank letter showing a deposit of at least AED 100,000, AED 15,000 in income, or AED 1,000,000 in real estate ownership.
Golden Visa cost for Retired Foreigners:
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Investors
An investor may be given the Golden Residency Visa under this category for a period of five or ten years.
If the same requirements are satisfied, it is automatically renewed.
Requirements:
The applicant should be an investor in an investment fund (commercial investor) –
The applicant would need a copy of the company’s financial auditor’s report for the previous fiscal year.
A photocopy of the list of partners’ names, as well as the business’s trading license.
The sponsored residency’s copy.
A three-month bank statement for the company.
The business’s prior year’s VAT return.
The applicant should be an investor in an investment fund (deposit) –
A letter from the bank describing a “fix deposit” in Arabic. The letter must include a reference to a note. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai must be notified if the fix deposit is broken for any reason within the next two years (or if the fix deposit is damaged for any other reason).
A copy of the sponsored passport.
Tenancy contract.
Investor in (Tax Return Investor) –
A letter from the Federal Tax Authority.
Company’s Trade license and photocopy of the list of partners’ names.
A copy of the sponsored residency.
Golden Visa cost for Investors:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Specialists in Engineering and Science
For 10 years without a sponsor and subject to renewal, an applicant and members of his family may be given a Golden Residency Visa for specialist talents and researchers in many sectors of science and knowledge.
The visa will grant 10-year residence to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and professionals, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes, who meet certain eligibility parameters.
Steps to apply for UAE’s Golden Visa
Eligible candidates can apply for the Golden Visa using GDRFA-Dubai Smart Application. Here are the 6 steps they would need to follow:
STEP 1 – Download the GDRFA-Dubai application through the authorized stores: Apple store/Play store
STEP 2 – Register a new user account (in case there is no account registered)
STEP 3 – Select the required service
STEP 4 – Attach the required documents
STEP 5 – Pay the fees due for the service
STEP 6 – Submit the request
Eligible candidates can also apply for UAE’s Golden Visa through AMER Center. Here are the 6 steps that need to be followed:
STEP 1 – Head to one of the service branches of the Amer Centers
STEP 2 – Select the required service at the receptionist
STEP 3 – Submit the required documents to the service employee
STEP 4 – Checking documents
STEP 5 – Pay the fees due for the service
STEP 6 – Submit application
A text message and an email is sent to the applicant with the status of the application if there are missing documents, which are required to be updated within 30 days.
Additionally, applicants will receive text messages, along with notifications about the approval process.
UAE’s Golden Visa: Eligibility criteria and how much it would cost you:
Golden Visa for Athletes
Golden Visa for creative specialists in Culture and Art
Golden Visa for Executive Directors
Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs
Golden Visa for Retired Foreigners
Golden Visa for Investors
Golden Visa for Specialists in Engineering and Science
Golden Visa for Inventors
Golden Visa for Scientists
Golden Visa for Outstanding Students
Golden Visa for Doctors
Golden Visa for Athletes
Under this category, the Golden Residency Visa for specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge is granted for 10 years without a sponsor and is subject to renewal.
Requirements:
Applicants would need a recommendation letter from the General Authority of Sports in Dubai OR Dubai Sports Council.
A copy of the sponsored passport.
Golden Visa cost for Athletes:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for creative specialists in Culture and Art
Under this category, the Golden Residency Visa for specialised talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge is granted for 10 years without a sponsor and is subject to renewal.
Requirements:
Applicants will need a recommendation letter from Dubai culture and Arts Authority.
A copy of the sponsored passport.
Golden Visa cost for creative specialists in Culture and Art:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Executive Directors
Under this category an Executive Director and his family members can be granted a Golden Residency Visa for specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge for a period of 10 years without a sponsor and subject to renewal.
Requirements:
Executive Directors would require an “NOC” letter from the company that does not mind the golden residency, also mentioned that the service period is not less than 5 years as a general manager – executive director – chairman of the board of directors.
Attested bachelor’s degree or higher degree.
Salary certificate which should not be less then AED 50,000 monthly.
Labour contract with the same profession and salary at the salary certificate.
Bank statement for the last 6 months.
Golden Visa cost for Executive Directors:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs
This category grants a Golden Residency Visa for 5 years to an entrepreneur who owns an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk & innovation.
Requirement:
The applicant would require an approval letter from Dubai Future Foundation.
Golden Visa cost for Entrepreneurs:
5 years golden visa: Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Retired Foreigners
Under this category, a retired foreigner can be granted a Golden Residency Visa for a period of 5 years without a sponsor and subject to renewal.
Requirement:
The applicant would need a bank letter with a deposit value or income of AED15,000 or real estate ownership with the value of one million AED.
Golden Visa cost for Retired Foreigners:
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Investors
Under this category, an investor can be granted the Golden Residency Visa for 5 or 10 years.
It is automatically renewed if the same conditions are met.
Requirements:
The applicant should be an investor in an investment fund (commercial investor) –
Applicant would require the company’s financial report for the previous year – made by the company’s financial auditor.
The company’s trade license and photocopy of the list of partners’ names.
A copy of the sponsored residency.
The company’s bank statement for the last 3 months.
The company’s VAT return for the previous year.
The applicant should be an investor in an investment fund (deposit) –
A letter from the bank in Arabic form showcasing a “fix deposit”. A note must be mentioned in the letter. (The fix deposit will not be broken for the next two years, OR in case the fix deposit was broken for any reason, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai must be notified)
A copy of the sponsored passport.
Tenancy contract.
Investor in (Tax Return Investor) –
A letter from the Federal Tax Authority.
Company’s Trade license and photocopy of the list of partners’ names.
A copy of the sponsored residency.
Golden Visa cost for Investors:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Specialists in Engineering and Science
Under this category, an applicant and his family member can be granted a Golden Residency Visa for specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge for 10 years without a sponsor and subject to renewal.
Requirements:
Applicants would require an attested degree (bachelor’s degree or higher), or a letter of equivalency for the academic degree from the Ministry of Education (for certificates from outside the country).
A copy of the sponsored residency.
A work contract in one of the following disciplines: (Epidemiology and Viruses – Artificial Intelligence – Big Data – Computer Engineering – Electronics Engineering – Software Engineering – Electrical Engineering – Genetic Engineering – Biotechnology Engineering).
Golden Visa cost for Specialists in Engineering and Science:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Inventors
An applicant and members of his family may be awarded a Golden Residency Visa under this category if they possess specialized skills and are researchers in a variety of scientific and academic sectors for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to renewal.
Requirements:
Applicant would require a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy.
A copy of the sponsored passport.
Golden Visa cost for Inventors:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Scientists
Under this category, a Golden Residency Visa can be issued to an applicant and his family for 10 years without a sponsor for researchers in many sectors of science and knowledge. The visa is renewable.
Requirements:
Applicants would require a recommendation letter from “Emirates Scientists Council” or a letter from “Rashid Award for Scientific outstanding” that he/she has been awarded the Medal of Scientific outstanding.
Golden Visa cost for Scientists:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Outstanding Students
Outstanding students are given a Golden Residency Visa under this category for a period of 5 or 10 years, which is automatically renewed if the same requirements are completed.
Requirements for a high school graduate:
A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education.
Copy of the sponsored residency – applicable only for Dubai residents.
Copy of the sponsored passport.
Requirements for a university graduate:
Attested degree (bachelor’s degree or higher) along with the academic transcript.
Copy of the sponsored residency applicable for Dubai residents only
Copy of the sponsored passport.
Golden Visa cost for Scientists:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
Golden Visa for Doctors
An applicant and members of his family may be awarded a Golden Residency Visa under this category if they possess specialized skills and are researchers in a variety of scientific and academic sectors for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to renewal.
Requirements:
Applicants would require a copy of their labour card.
A copy of labour contract from MOHRE.
A copy of the sponsored residency.
Golden Visa cost for Doctors:
10 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2790
ID fees: AED 1070
5 years golden visa:
Residency fees: AED 2280
ID fees: AED 575
With the introduction of the UAE Golden Visa residency program in 2019, foreigners are now able to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor and with full ownership of their company on the country’s mainland.
With the revised regulations, it is now easier to qualify for 10-year visas because more people from a wider range of vocations will be able to apply for the Golden Visa.
