Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates: how to obtain long-term residency
- What is the Golden Visa and what does it allow?
- Who can apply for it?
- General requirements and prior preparation
More and more people are seeing the Golden Visa of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as one of the best ways to obtain long-term residency, especially if they want to live in Dubai or any other emirate.
With this visa, you can live, work, start a business and even bring your family for up to 10 years, without the need for a sponsor, as was previously the case.
What is the Golden Visa and what does it allow?
The Golden Visa is similar to a residence permit that is granted for 5 or 10 years and is renewable. The UAE government created it with investment in mind, targeting talented professionals who are key to the country. This visa has a very good advantage, which is that it eliminates the need to have a local sponsor or a particular employer in order to stay and live in the country.
Among the advantages are the ability to have a long-term residence permit, normally for up to 10 years, which can be renewed as long as the requirements continue to be met; there is no need to have a sponsor in the area; you can sponsor your family members; and you have the freedom to enter and leave the country without any time limit. In addition, with this visa you can work, start a business or invest legally in the Emirates.
Who can apply for it?
In the Emirates, applying for the Golden Visa is not a real possibility for everyone. Among those who are eligible are young people with special talents who come to the country with the mission of investing in it. However, good students or those who already have their own businesses, as well as healthcare personnel and very specific investor profiles, can also apply for it.
The Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates is an opportunity for those who enter the country with the intention of investing large amounts of money in the United Arab Emirates, especially in real estate.
Real estate investment
To start with, you need to invest at least 2 million Emirati dirhams in property. Furthermore, the investment must be maintained for as long as you hold the visa. This is one of the most common ways for anyone who wants to live in the Emirates to do so without having to depend on a job.
The Golden Visa in the Emirates is a great attraction for all those start-up founders, business owners or anyone starting a new innovative project. To do so, you need a business project valued at around 500,000 dirhams and prior approval from an official body to proceed.
High-achieving students
Applying for the Golden Visa in the Emirates is quite simple, although you must meet specific requirements. First of all, it is essential to have a valid passport, without any problems, and that the documents you submit, such as those relating to your income or investments, are correct and that you have no legal ties.
General requirements and prior preparation
Before applying, it is important to be clear that you meet all the requirements.
If you need authorisation or to be nominated for something, the idea is to get it beforehand. There are categories, such as talent and entrepreneurs, that need to be approved by someone before you can proceed. This approval can come from ministries, finance officials or specialised agencies. This step is key and almost always requires the most care.
Step-by-step application process
The application is officially submitted to the relevant immigration authorities. Normally, the process is carried out through the ICP at the federal level or the GDRFA in Dubai. In this step, all the required documentation is sent and the corresponding fee is paid.
As with any residence visa, medical examinations and biometrics are mandatory. The medical examination is a standard requirement of the immigration system and is required to complete the process. In addition, fingerprints and other biometric data are taken, and it is essential to have valid medical insurance in the Emirates.
Once the application is approved, the residence visa is issued and the Emirates ID is updated. From that moment on, it is possible to sponsor family members if desired. The entire process usually takes between one and three months, although the final deadline depends on the applicant's profile.
Although requirements may vary depending on the category, a valid passport and visa-type photographs are generally required. Documentation proving the investment made or professional activity, such as a CV or a document describing the profile, is also requested. In some cases, officially certified academic qualifications are required, in addition to a medical certificate, background information and valid medical insurance.