UAE Golden Visa
Also known as: UAE Golden Residence · Dubai Golden Visa
What it grants
Renewable five- or ten-year UAE residence for qualifying investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, students and other defined categories.
Competent authority: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 1 source references. Recheck material facts with the listed primary publishers before acting.
Quick answers
Answer-first summary from the source-dated record. Each answer is a research reference, not a personal eligibility decision.
- What does this route grant?
- Renewable five- or ten-year UAE residence for qualifying investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, students and other defined categories.
- What is the published entry point?
- 2,000,000 AED through Public investment. This is not the total family or professional cost.
- Is physical presence required?
- No universal day count is stated in this record. Renewal, permanent residence, tax and citizenship can use different presence tests.
- Can family be included?
- The official portal permits sponsorship of spouses and children, with further family and domestic-worker rules depending on the case.
- Does it lead to citizenship?
- The visa does not create a standard automatic naturalization pathway.
This route fits if…
- Investors or property owners meeting the current capital rules
- Entrepreneurs and specialised talent with the required endorsements
- Outstanding students and other defined categories
Needs professional review
- Federal versus emirate filing channel
- Exact category and endorsement
- Asset ownership and financing
- Visa duration
- Family sponsorship
01Summary
The Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa rather than citizenship.
The official portal lists investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, exceptional talent, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes among the categories.
Qualifying holders do not need a traditional sponsor, can remain outside the UAE beyond the usual six-month period and can sponsor defined family members.
02Investment options
Public investment
2,000,000 AED minTen-year category using the current AED 2 million capital or qualifying tax-contribution criteria.
Real estate investment
2,000,000 AED minFive-year investor category under the current AED 2 million property criteria.
Entrepreneur or exceptional talent
Five- or ten-year residence based on the current project, endorsement, qualification or achievement criteria.
03Eligibility
- Qualifying investor, entrepreneur, talent, student or other category
- Category-specific recommendation or financial evidence
- Identity, health and security requirements
04Family & dependents
The official portal permits sponsorship of spouses and children, with further family and domestic-worker rules depending on the case.
- Spouse
- Children
- Other family where current rules permit
06Timeline & duration
Timing depends on the category, nomination or endorsement and the federal or emirate application channel.
Typical: Varies by category and emirate · Duration: Renewable five- or ten-year residence, depending on category.
- Continue to satisfy the relevant category
- Renew identity and residence documentation
07Costs
—
Government charges, investment capital, professional fees and other costs are separate. Figures are research references, not quotes; verify them with the responsible authority and qualified professional before acting.
Currency conversions use a reference EUR→USD rate of 1.08 as of 2026-09-19. All program amounts are stated in official currencies; verify current rates before budgeting.
08Documentation
Passport, photograph and current status documents
primary
Investment, property, project, qualification or recommendation evidence
primary
Family relationship and insurance evidence where required
any
09Path to PR & citizenship
Permanent residence
The Golden Visa is renewable long-term residence, not conventional permanent residence or citizenship.
Citizenship
The visa does not create a standard automatic naturalization pathway.
10Risks & refusals
- Using the wrong emirate or category
- Asset no longer meeting the threshold
- Unverified nomination promise
- Confusing residence with citizenship
11Rule versions tracked
Law changes create cohorts — the version in force when you first acquired your permit or filed may govern your case. Both open and closed versions stay on record.
ae-golden-20262026-02-26 – presentactiveCurrent official five- and ten-year Golden Visa categories.
- Verify category rules and application channel
12Sources of record
Draft next-review date: 2026-10-21. A listed link and checked date do not certify that a rule is current. Recheck material facts with the responsible authority and a qualified professional before acting.