The UAE Golden Visa program is created to attract and retain skilled professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs through long-term residency and tax-free income. This visa provides multiple entry permits, extended residency, and the ability to sponsor dependents, allowing the holder to live and work in the UAE without a local sponsor.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Golden Visa as a professional, the applicant must fulfill the following requirements:
- Employment Contract: Provide with an employment contract that includes UAE and a letter or certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) under occupational levels 1 or 2. Generally level 1 will have in charge managers and business executives. Under level 2 engineers, health sciences, education, IT amongst many more.
- Salary Requirement: Minimum monthly salary should be Dh30,000, and this must be shown in the bank statements for the last six months. The salary stated in the bank statements for the last six months, as per some immigration consultants, should not contain the allowances.
- Education: They must have a bachelor’s degree at least, and attest the degree certificate along with an equivalency of the degree from the university.
How to Apply
There are two main ways to submit an application, based on the applicant’s location.
- For Dubai Residents:
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – GDRFA smart application or through the official web portal. Or go to the typing centers authorized by GDRFA
- Emirate’s Residents:
File at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security – ICA. The process can be completed through their online services or at ICA-authorized typing centers. The documents that are required are:
- An employment contract from a mainland-based company or from a free zone company with a minimum salary of Dh 30,000.
- Six months of bank statements showing the salary.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer for the employee to hold Golden Residency.
- Nomination Letter from relevant ministries supporting the application.
- Health Insurance – All-inclusive coverage for the applicant and family members.
- Passport and Photo of valid passport with the visa page and a personal passport-sized photo.
Fees
Application fees differ, but these are some common ones:
- Residence permit fee: Dh1,100
- Knowledge fee: Dh10
- Innovation fee: Dh10
- Processing fee: Dh500
- Delivery fee: Dh20
The Golden Visa program further includes investors, distinguished students, and professionals from multiple fields, thus showing how the UAE is committed to talent attraction. Increased demand for Golden Visas has also made the program more popular among the expatriates who seek long-term residency in the UAE.
