UAE (Dubai)
United Arab Emirates
Investment from
AED 2,000,000
Timeline
10-year residency visa
Visa-free access
183 countries
Residency required
None to maintain the Golden Visa
Programme Overview
The UAE Golden Visa is a residency product, not citizenship — an important distinction, since no investment route leads to an Emirati passport. What it offers instead is a 10-year renewable residence permit, no personal income tax, and a business hub base with strong global connectivity.
For most investor applicants the practical route is property: AED 2,000,000+ in qualifying real estate. The visa also covers family sponsorship, including spouse, children of any age, and parents.
Key Benefits
Investment Details
Approx. USD 545,000. Real estate valued at AED 2,000,000+ qualifies for 10-year Golden Visa. Other routes: entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, scientists. No UAE citizenship pathway for foreign investors.
Investment Options
Real Estate
AED 2,000,000
Property valued at AED 2M+ qualifies — mortgaged property can qualify subject to bank documentation confirming the paid amount meets the threshold. Off-plan purchases from approved developers may qualify.
Public Investment / Deposit
AED 2,000,000
Deposit or qualifying investment in an accredited UAE fund or a company with the required capital contribution and tax standing.
Entrepreneurs & specialised talent
Varies
Founders of approved ventures, scientists, doctors, creatives, and other categories qualify under separate criteria — not purely capital-based.
Passport Mobility
UAE passport mobility. Golden Visa holders travel on their own existing passport.
Source: Henley Passport Index. Figures approximate and subject to change.
Application Process
Qualifying asset or category
Complete the property purchase (title deed or Oqood for off-plan) or document the qualifying category.
Application filing
Filed through ICP (federal) or GDRFA (Dubai) channels, depending on emirate.
Medical & biometrics
Medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics in-country.
Visa issuance
10-year residence visa issued; family sponsorship filed after.
Renewal
Renewable for further 10-year terms while the qualifying condition is maintained.
Eligibility & Disqualifiers
- Clean criminal record; in-country medical fitness test
- Qualifying asset maintained for the visa duration
- No minimum-stay requirement to keep the visa
- Not a path to UAE citizenship — Emirati nationality is not available via investment
- Family sponsorship covers spouse, children of any age, and parents
Things to Know
No path to UAE citizenship. Residency only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the UAE Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
No. It is a long-term renewable residency permit. There is no investment route to an Emirati passport.
Do I need to live in the UAE to keep the visa?
No — unlike standard UAE residence visas, the Golden Visa is not cancelled for extended absence. That makes it a practical Plan-B residency.
Can I use a mortgaged property?
Generally yes, provided the amount paid toward qualifying property meets the AED 2M threshold and bank documentation confirms it — confirm current treatment with GDRFA/ICP before purchasing.
Programme Facts
- Programme type
- Residency by Investment
- Residency requirement
- None to maintain the Golden Visa
- Dual citizenship
- Not permitted
UAE does not offer citizenship to foreign investors. This is a long-term residency programme only.
- Family inclusion
- Spouse, children of any age, parents
- Tax benefits
- No personal income tax
- Official source
- Government website
- Data checked
- 2026-09-24
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