The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term, renewable residence visa, usually valid for 5 or 10 years, that does not need an employer or other sponsor. As of October 2026 you can qualify through investment (including property worth at least AED 2 million), a high salary in a skilled role, an entrepreneurial project, exceptional talent, outstanding academic results or humanitarian service. Below we explain each route, what you will need and how the process works.
What the Golden Visa gives you
According to the UAE Government portal (u.ae), Golden Visa holders benefit from:
- A 5- or 10-year residence visa that can be renewed while you still meet the conditions.
- No need for a sponsor: your residence is not tied to an employer.
- The ability to stay outside the UAE for longer than the usual six-month limit that applies to standard residence visas.
- The right to sponsor family members, including your spouse and children.
For most people the biggest practical benefit is stability: you can change jobs, start a business or spend long periods abroad without your residence lapsing.
Golden Visa routes at a glance
| Route | Typical validity | Headline requirement (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate investor | Up to 10 years (Dubai) | Property worth at least AED 2 million in total |
| Deposit or company investor | 10 years | AED 2 million deposited in a UAE bank, or a share in a UAE company worth AED 2 million |
| Tax contributor | 10 years | Contribution to a business paying at least AED 250,000 a year in tax |
| Skilled professional | 10 years | MOHRE skill level 1 or 2 role, bachelor’s degree, salary of at least AED 30,000 a month |
| Entrepreneur | 5 years | Innovative or technical project, approved by an incubator or competent authority |
| Exceptional talent | 10 years | Doctors, scientists, inventors, creatives, executives, athletes, PhD holders and similar |
| Outstanding students | 5 or 10 years | Top high-school or university results with supporting letters |
| Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes | 10 years | Recognised humanitarian contribution or at least 5 years of service |
Validity can differ by emirate and category, so always check the current terms with the issuing authority before you apply.
Investor routes
Property investors
Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) requires one or more properties with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000. If you own a share of a jointly owned property, your share must reach that value. The value is confirmed by a Dubai Land Department property statement or an approved valuation.
Mortgaged property can qualify in Dubai, but a lien is placed on the property for the life of the permit. In Abu Dhabi, the Residents Office also accepts off-plan property from an approved developer where at least AED 2 million has already been paid. Rules on mortgages and off-plan units vary between emirates, so confirm the position for your specific property. Tajnes is not a property broker and does not sell real estate; we help with the residency side once you hold a qualifying asset.
Deposit and company investors
You can qualify with a deposit of at least AED 2 million in an accredited UAE bank (GDRFA requires the funds to be held for the permit period), or with an investment or partnership in a UAE company where your share is worth at least AED 2 million. Company investors normally provide an audited financial report, the trade licence and partners’ appendix, company bank statements and tax records. If you are planning to build that company, see our guides to mainland and free zone set-up.
Skilled professionals
Employees can qualify without investing. Official guidance from Abu Dhabi’s government portal sets out the criteria as:
- Employment in the UAE in a role classified as level 1 (managers and executives) or level 2 (professionals in science, engineering, health, education, IT, law and similar) by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- At least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- A monthly salary of at least AED 30,000.
- A valid UAE practising licence where the profession requires one, for example doctors or teachers.
Entrepreneurs, talent and students
Entrepreneurs need proof of an innovative or technical project, evidence of its value and a letter from a business incubator or the relevant authority in the emirate. Exceptional-talent applicants usually need recommendation letters, accredited degrees or evidence of achievement in their field. Outstanding students provide certificates of excellence and letters from their school or university.
How to apply: step by step
- Check eligibility. Use the eligibility checker on the ICP smart services platform or the GDRFA Golden Visa pages.
- Prepare documents. Passport copy, photo, and the evidence for your route (title deed, bank certificate, salary certificate and degree, audited accounts, or nomination letters). Foreign documents may need attestation and translation.
- Submit the application online through ICP or GDRFA, or via an approved typing or Amer centre, and pay the government fees.
- Complete the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Receive your residence and then sponsor eligible family members if you wish.
Government fees depend on the emirate and the length of the permit. Approval and timing are decided by the authorities. For current costs, see our cost calculator or the residency in the UAE page.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a property counts at purchase price when the authority uses a valuation or the amount actually paid.
- Applying with a job title that does not match a MOHRE level 1 or 2 classification.
- Counting allowances that are not part of the salary shown on your contract.
- Selling the qualifying property or withdrawing the deposit while the visa depends on it.
- Relying on social media posts about “new” categories. Check the official ICP or GDRFA pages first.
How Tajnes can help
Tajnes prepares the paperwork, books medicals and biometrics, and coordinates with the authorities for Golden Visa applications, as well as company set-up for investors who want to qualify through a business. Government fees and our service fee are always shown separately. Book a consultation to check which route fits you, or browse current offers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for a UAE Golden Visa?
As of October 2026, the investor routes generally require AED 2 million, whether in property, a bank deposit or a share of a UAE company. Exact conditions differ by emirate.
Can I get a Golden Visa with a mortgaged property?
In Dubai, mortgaged property can qualify, but a lien is placed on it for the permit’s duration. Abu Dhabi has its own rules on mortgages and off-plan units. Check with the authority in your emirate.
What salary do I need for a Golden Visa?
Skilled professionals need a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000, a bachelor’s degree and a role at MOHRE skill level 1 or 2.
Can I sponsor my family on a Golden Visa?
Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor family members, including their spouse and children.
Can I stay outside the UAE for more than six months?
Yes. Golden Visa holders are not bound by the usual six-month absence rule that applies to standard residence visas.
Does Tajnes guarantee Golden Visa approval?
No. Approval and timing are decided by ICP or GDRFA. We prepare and submit a complete application to give it the best chance.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change and authorities make all final decisions. T&Cs apply.
