UAE Golden Visa
UAE Residency Programme
A renewable 5- or 10-year residence visa that lets you live, work and study in the UAE without a local sponsor or employer — and sponsor your entire family alongside you.
- Timeline
- 15–30 working days
- Years, renewable
- 10
- Minimum investment
- AED 2M
- Personal income tax
- 0%
- Days to approval
- 15–30
What Is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit introduced in 2019 to attract investors, entrepreneurs and specialised talent to the Emirates. Unlike a standard employment or family residence visa — tied to a sponsor and renewed every two or three years — the Golden Visa is issued directly to the holder for 5 or 10 years, renews on the same terms, and carries no employer or local sponsor requirement at all.
The programme is administered federally by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), with day-to-day processing handled by each emirate's residency authority — the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, or ICP directly elsewhere.
At Evolva, we assess which of the six eligibility routes fits your profile, assemble and attest the supporting documents, and manage the application through to Emirates ID issuance — so you're not learning UAE immigration law while trying to relocate your life.
Who Qualifies for the Golden Visa
Eligibility runs across six categories, each with its own financial or merit-based threshold. Most applicants qualify through property investment or a qualifying employment contract.
Real Estate Investors
Own property worth AED 2 million or more — ready, off-plan (from an approved developer) or mortgaged through an approved UAE bank. Multiple properties can be combined to meet the threshold. 10-year visa.
Public Investors
Invest AED 2 million or more in an approved UAE investment fund, using your own capital rather than borrowed funds. 10-year visa.
Entrepreneurs
Own a company with paid-up capital of at least AED 500,000 (5-year route) or AED 1,000,000 (10-year route), or hold approval from an accredited UAE business incubator.
Specialised Talents
Doctors, scientists, researchers, inventors, senior executives, and creative or sporting professionals of recognised standing, holding a valid UAE employment contract with a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000. 10-year visa.
Outstanding Students
UAE secondary-school graduates with a grade of 95% or above, or university graduates with a GPA of 3.5 or higher from an accredited institution. 5-year visa.
Humanitarian Pioneers & Frontline Heroes
Individuals recognised for distinguished humanitarian work or frontline service. 10-year visa, by nomination.
Golden Visa Benefits
Beyond the extended validity, the Golden Visa changes how you and your family can live, work and travel in the UAE.
No Local Sponsor Required
Hold your residency independently of any employer or Emirati sponsor — a first for UAE long-term visas.
Full Family Sponsorship
Sponsor your spouse, children of any age, parents and up to three domestic helpers, with no minimum income requirement.
100% Mainland Business Ownership
Establish and own a UAE mainland company outright, with no local partner required.
Unlimited Absence Allowance
Stay outside the UAE for more than six months at a time without your residency lapsing — unlike standard visas, which cancel automatically.
0% Personal Income Tax
No tax on salary, investment income or capital gains for UAE tax residents.
Direct, Indefinite Renewal
Renew on the same terms as your original grant, with no re-sponsorship and no re-qualification from scratch.
How to Apply
A complete application typically clears in 15 to 30 working days; nomination-based categories can take longer.
Eligibility assessment
We review your profile — investment, employment or academic record — against the six categories and confirm the route with the strongest chance of approval.
Document collection & attestation
We help you gather and attest passports, proof of investment or employment, and educational certificates, so nothing is queried mid-review.
Application submission
Applications are filed through the ICP portal or, in Dubai, GDRFA — matched to your emirate of residence and category.
Medical test & biometrics
A medical fitness test and biometric registration at an approved UAE centre, arranged around your schedule.
Emirates ID & visa stamping
Once approved, your Golden Visa is stamped and your Emirates ID issued — Evolva tracks the file until it's in your hands.
Documents You'll Need
Requirements vary slightly by category; the core set applies to every application.
Identity & Personal
- Passport valid for 6+ months
- Recent passport-sized photograph, white background
- Existing UAE Emirates ID, if already resident
Eligibility Evidence
- Title deed, fund statement or employment contract matching your chosen category
- Attested educational certificates, where applicable
- Bank statements for the last 6 months
Health
- Medical fitness certificate from an approved centre
- Valid UAE health insurance policy
Indicative Golden Visa Costs
Total cost depends on your category and how many family members you sponsor alongside you.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Application & government processing fees | AED 2,800 – 3,800 |
| Medical fitness test | AED 320 – 750 |
| Emirates ID (10-year) | AED 1,070 |
| Evolva service fee, from | AED 4,500 |
| Per sponsored dependant, additional | AED 5,000 – 7,000 |
Figures are indicative and vary by category, emirate and family size — your consultant confirms an exact quote after the eligibility assessment.
Golden Visa vs. Standard Residence Visa
| Feature | Golden Visa | Standard Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 5 or 10 years | 2–3 years |
| Local sponsor required | No | Yes |
| Family sponsorship | No minimum income | Income-conditional |
| Absence from UAE | Unlimited | Max. 6 months |
| Mainland business ownership | 100% | Restricted |
| Renewal | Direct | Dependent on sponsor |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to get started with UAE Golden Visa?
Share a few details and an Evolva consultant will call you back with tailored guidance.
Related Services
Real Estate Advisory
End-to-end guidance for buying freehold property in the UAE — from shortlisting and due diligence through Dubai Land Department registration and, where relevant, your Golden Visa.
Corporate Banking Assistance
We prepare your company's banking profile — ownership, activity, funding and transaction story — so UAE banks can assess and onboard you with confidence.
Corporate Tax Advisory
Corporate tax registration, filing and compliance under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 — for mainland companies, free zone entities and groups alike.
Get in Touch Today
The experts at Evolva are seasoned professionals in business setup, accounting, and auditing services. They are skilled at providing unique, tailored solutions to every client, and are always ready to answer any questions you may have.
