UAE Golden Visa

We help clients carry out an initial Golden Visa eligibility assessment, identify the most suitable category, prepare the supporting documents and complete the required stages for long-term UAE residency.

The Golden Visa is not a universal programme that can be obtained simply because someone wishes to live in the Emirates. The applicant must meet the criteria of a specific category and support the application with documents in a form accepted by the relevant authority.

One practical difference from a standard residence visa is particularly important: the 180-day absence rule does not apply to Golden Visa holders. The status remains valid for its full term regardless of how much time the holder spends outside the UAE.

MANAR CAPITAL reviews the client’s circumstances before submission: property, investments, business interests, professional qualifications or another possible eligibility basis. We assess the document package and identify issues that may affect the application.

Check Your Potential Eligibility

What Is the Golden Visa? · Routes and Thresholds · The 180-Day Rule · Property Route · Investor Route · Entrepreneur Route · Specialists · Documents · Application Process · Timeline and Costs · Family · Tax Residency · Renewal · FAQ

What Is the UAE Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa, also referred to as Golden Residency, is a long-term UAE residence status available to certain categories of foreign nationals. Depending on the eligibility basis, it may be granted for five or ten years and can be renewed if the relevant conditions continue to be met.

The status is obtained without a traditional local sponsor. Holders may live, work, study and invest in the UAE and may also sponsor eligible family members, including a spouse and children.

The programme is administered federally by ICP and in Dubai by GDRFA. Some categories are also subject to emirate-specific requirements, particularly property-based applications.

The Golden Visa is not citizenship, does not provide a UAE passport, does not remove bank compliance requirements and does not automatically create UAE tax residency.

Golden Visa Routes and Thresholds

There are several categories, each with different qualifying thresholds and supporting evidence. The table below helps compare the main routes before deciding which one may be appropriate.

Thresholds and evidence requirements may be updated administratively. The source text refers to changes to the property route introduced in February 2026. Current requirements for a specific case should therefore be checked with ICP or GDRFA at the time of submission.

The 180-Day Rule: the Key Difference from a Standard Residence Visa

A standard UAE residence visa may be cancelled if the holder remains outside the country for more than 180 consecutive days. Restoring the status may require a new immigration process, including a new entry permit, medical fitness test, biometrics and government fees.

This restriction does not apply to Golden Visa holders in the same way. The status remains valid for the full five- or ten-year period regardless of how much time the holder spends outside the UAE.

This can be particularly important for:

• entrepreneurs running businesses in several countries who do not want to return to the UAE every six months;
• families whose children study outside the UAE;
• investors who need a stable long-term status rather than continuous physical presence;
• property owners who visit the UAE only several times a year.

For the standard residence visa process and the 180-day rule, see UAE Residence Visa and Emirates ID.

Who Can Apply for a Golden Visa?

The programme covers several separate categories, including investors in public or private projects, property owners, entrepreneurs, scientists, doctors, executives, specialists in priority sectors, cultural and creative professionals, athletes, inventors and high-achieving students.

The requirements differ significantly. An investor must document the amount and structure of the investment, an entrepreneur the value and nature of the project, and a specialist their education, experience, employment and income level. Some categories also require a recommendation letter or approval from a relevant authority, business incubator, scientific council or ministry.

For that reason, the category should be chosen on the basis of the applicant’s actual documents and circumstances rather than a general programme description. One person may qualify under more than one route, and the most practical option is often the one with the clearest existing evidence.

Golden Visa Through Property

For private clients, one of the most straightforward routes is ownership of qualifying UAE property with a value of at least AED 2 million.

The property value is not the only factor. The emirate, property type, registered ownership, the applicant’s ownership share, construction status and financing structure may all matter. Multiple properties may in some cases be combined to reach the qualifying threshold.

The treatment of mortgaged and off-plan property was updated in 2026, and public interpretations may differ. A specific transaction should therefore be checked with the relevant property registration authority and GDRFA or ICP at the time of application, rather than relying on general summaries.

MANAR CAPITAL reviews the property documents, ownership structure and payment status, coordinates with the broker, developer, bank and registration authority, and helps prepare the owner’s application.

See a related case study: UAE Family Residency Through Property Investment.

If the property has not yet been fully paid for, we can also structure the payment route to the developer or seller: UAE Property Payment Support.

Golden Visa for Investors

The investor category includes several routes with a similar AED 2 million threshold but different forms of evidence:

• investment in an accredited investment fund — supported by a confirmation letter from the fund;
• deposit with a national bank — supported by a bank confirmation letter;
• capital in a commercial or industrial company — supported by the business licence, constitutional documents and an auditor’s report.

A separate route may be available through federal tax contributions of at least AED 250,000 per year, supported by FTA records. For an operating company with substantial turnover, this may be more practical than taking AED 2 million out of the business.

We assess not only the nominal amount invested but also the source of funds, ownership structure, encumbrances and documents confirming the applicant’s right to control or dispose of the asset.

Where the investment is linked to an operating business, it is important to distinguish an investor Golden Visa from standard UAE residency through a company. These are different routes with different eligibility criteria, durations and ongoing costs.

Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs

The entrepreneur category is not intended for every registered business. It is aimed at qualifying technical, innovative or future-focused projects involving commercial risk and innovation.

The source text states a project value threshold of AED 500,000 and a five-year visa term. Three supporting documents are required:

1. a UAE auditor’s report confirming the project value;
2. a letter from the relevant emirate authority confirming the project’s technical or future-focused nature;
3. approval from an accredited business incubator.

Ownership of an ordinary trading or consulting company does not automatically satisfy this category. For an established business with turnover, investment-based routes such as company capital or federal tax contributions may be more practical and may provide a ten-year term instead of five.

Before submission, we review the project structure, corporate and financial records, operating history, intellectual property and the realistic possibility of obtaining the required external approvals. Incubator approval is often the least predictable part of the process and should be assessed before the remaining steps are started.

If the project does not meet the Golden Visa criteria, standard owner residency through company formation in the UAE may be considered instead.

Golden Visa for Specialists and Executives

Separate Golden Visa categories are available for doctors, scientists, inventors, cultural and creative professionals, executives, athletes and specialists in priority scientific and engineering fields.

For executives and skilled professionals, the source text states an income threshold of at least AED 30,000 per month in basic salary. An attested degree, documented professional experience and a valid employment contract are also required.

For scientists, doctors, athletes and creative professionals, there may be no fixed monetary threshold; recognition is the key factor. The application may require an accredited nomination, significant award or recommendation from the relevant ministry or council.

The source text notes that the list of eligible professional categories expanded during 2025–2026. We therefore confirm the current category list at the time of enquiry.

MANAR CAPITAL carries out an initial review of the professional profile, checks the available evidence and identifies which additional documents or approvals may be required.

Students, Graduates and Other Categories

Golden Visa categories may also be available to high-achieving school pupils, university students and graduates who meet the relevant academic criteria. Factors may include academic results, the ranking of the educational institution, GPA, the time elapsed since graduation and recommendations from the relevant organisation.

Separate long-term categories may also exist for humanitarian contributors, frontline workers and applicants with exceptional achievements. Each category is assessed independently and must be supported by official evidence.

Initial Eligibility Assessment

Before submission, we identify the category the applicant may potentially qualify for and assess whether the available documents are sufficient to begin the process.

For investment routes, we review the value and structure of the assets. For property, we assess ownership, registered value, the applicant’s share, encumbrances and the documented amount paid. For entrepreneurs, we review corporate and audit documents and the prospects of obtaining incubator approval. For specialists, we assess education, experience, job title, employment contract, income and any required professional recommendation.

We also consider citizenship, passport validity, current immigration status, family composition and whether an existing visa needs to be cancelled or changed.

The result is a clear understanding of the potential route, required documents and any issues that should be resolved before submission.

Documents That May Be Required

There is no single document package for every applicant. A passport and photograph are supplemented by evidence specific to the chosen category.

• Property owner — letter or certificate from the property registration authority, ownership documents and, where mortgaged, bank confirmation.
• Investor — fund documents, bank confirmation for a deposit, business licence and constitutional documents, or FTA confirmation of qualifying tax payments.
• Entrepreneur — auditor’s report on project value, project description, relevant emirate authority letter and business incubator approval.
• Specialist — degrees, evidence of experience and employment, proof of income and, where required, approval from the relevant professional body.

Documents issued outside the UAE may require translation, legalisation and attestation. Allow around 2–4 weeks for this. We review the format, validity and consistency of personal details in advance, as differences in the transliteration of names across documents are a common reason for applications to be returned.

How the Golden Visa Application Process Works

Identify the Category

We analyse the available eligibility grounds and select the route that best matches the applicant’s actual situation. If two categories are possible, we compare them by visa duration, complexity of evidence and cost.

Review the Documents

We examine the supporting documents relating to property, investments, the company, education, employment or professional achievements. Missing evidence and inconsistencies are identified before submission rather than after an authority raises a request.

Obtain the Required Approvals

Where the category requires a recommendation, valuation, auditor’s report or approval from a specialist authority, we coordinate the preparation of that document. This is often the longest stage.

Support the Submission

We prepare the applications, attach the supporting evidence and monitor the review. If additional information is requested, we help collect the documents or prepare the necessary explanations.

Complete the Residency Procedures

After approval, the standard residency procedures follow, including the medical fitness test, biometrics and Emirates ID issuance.

Sponsor Family Members

Once the principal applicant has obtained the Golden Visa, applications can proceed for the spouse, children and other eligible family members permitted under the relevant category.

Timeline and Costs

The process has two distinct stages.

Confirming the eligibility basis. Timing depends on the category. Routes supported by documents that already exist — such as registered property ownership, confirmed tax contributions or an active employment contract — are generally faster. Categories requiring external evidence, such as an auditor’s valuation, incubator approval or an official nomination, may take several additional weeks.

Residency procedures. Once approval is obtained, the medical fitness test, biometrics and Emirates ID issuance typically take around 2–4 weeks, similar to a standard residence visa.

Costs include government fees for the relevant category, medical fitness testing, Emirates ID, mandatory medical insurance and the cost of supporting evidence such as auditor’s reports, property registry extracts, translations and legalisation. The final amount depends on the route and the number of family members, so we calculate it after the category has been identified.

Golden Visa for the Family

A Golden Visa holder may sponsor a spouse and children. For many families, this is one of the strongest advantages: a long-term status that is not tied to an employer, does not require annual renewal and provides greater flexibility around physical presence.

Family documents are prepared separately. Marriage and birth certificates may require translation, legalisation and attestation, and preparing the family document package can sometimes take longer than confirming the principal applicant’s own eligibility.

We review the family composition, the children’s ages, proof of relationship and any existing visas in advance, then build the application sequence.

If the principal applicant qualifies through property or investment, we also assess how a future change in the ownership or asset structure could affect the family’s status.

Learn more about family relocation to the UAE

Golden Visa and Banking

Long-term UAE residency and Emirates ID broaden access to local banking infrastructure, but they do not guarantee account approval. The bank independently reviews the client’s professional profile, source of funds, assets, transaction countries and economic connection to the UAE.

For investors and property owners, it is particularly important to prepare documents showing the source of wealth and source of funds used to acquire the asset. A bank is likely to ask how the capital used for a property worth AED 2 million was accumulated and transferred, and the explanation should be supported by documents.

Learn more about opening a personal bank account in the UAE

Golden Visa and UAE Tax Residency

A Golden Visa does not automatically make the holder a UAE tax resident. Immigration status and tax residency are separate concepts with different tests.

UAE tax residency is confirmed through a Tax Residency Certificate issued by the Federal Tax Authority where the applicable conditions are met. The source text refers to a 183-day physical presence route and a separate 90-day route where additional conditions such as a permanent home, employment or business in the UAE may apply.

This creates an important distinction: the Golden Visa gives flexibility around physical presence for immigration purposes, while tax residency may still depend on actual time spent in the UAE. If the objective is to change tax residency, the route should be planned around the calendar and the applicable tax rules, not around the visa category alone.

Business owners and investors with income or assets in several countries should assess the tax consequences with a qualified tax adviser before submission.

Renewing the Golden Visa

The status is renewable, but renewal depends on the qualifying basis remaining in place and the holder continuing to meet the applicable conditions.

A property owner may need to confirm continued ownership and the relevant property parameters. An investor may need to maintain the investment structure. An entrepreneur or specialist may need to demonstrate continued eligibility under the relevant category.

If an asset is sold, the ownership structure changes, an employment contract ends or the professional status changes, the impact on residency should be assessed in advance. Selling the asset on which the Golden Visa was based is not a neutral event.

MANAR CAPITAL monitors the timeline, reviews continued eligibility and prepares documents for renewal or, where appropriate, a move to another residency category.

What to Consider Before Applying

One Formal Criterion Is Not Enough

Owning property, having a company, earning a high salary or holding a degree does not by itself guarantee Golden Visa eligibility. The full set of requirements for the selected category must be met and documented.

Requirements Vary by Emirate

Federal criteria may be supplemented by the practice of the relevant local authority. This is particularly important for property, mortgages, professional recommendations and filing procedures.

Do Not Acquire an Asset Without Checking Eligibility First

If property or an investment is being acquired partly to qualify for the Golden Visa, the transaction structure and documents should be checked before completion, not afterwards.

Thresholds Can Change

Requirements may be updated administratively. The source text refers to property-related changes introduced in February 2026. Current conditions should be confirmed with ICP or GDRFA before submission.

The Final Decision Is Made by the Government Authority

MANAR CAPITAL assesses eligibility, prepares the documents and manages the process, but cannot guarantee approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check Your Golden Visa Eligibility

MANAR CAPITAL will carry out an initial review of the possible category, supporting documents and asset structure, identify potential limitations and outline the next steps.

If the proposed basis does not meet the Golden Visa criteria, we compare it with other residency options and help identify a more suitable route.

Request a Consultation

Golden Visa categories, thresholds and evidence requirements may be updated administratively. The figures on this page are indicative as of 2026; current requirements for a specific case are confirmed with ICP or GDRFA before submission.

Related Services

UAE Residency and Relocation

UAE Residence Visa and Emirates ID

Family Relocation to the UAE

UAE Residency Through a Company

UAE Property Payment Support

Opening a Personal Bank Account in the UAE