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Golden visa for Dubai: Requirements & benefits
Invest in the United Arab Emirates through the Dubai Golden Visa: requirements, costs, and investment options.
Every year, many foreigners go to this city in the UAE to invest. To support this, the government created the Dubai Golden Visa, a long-term residency permit that attracts investors, skilled professionals, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
If you’re considering investing in Dubai, this guide explains how the Golden Visa works, its benefits, requirements, application process, costs, and renewal conditions.
What is the Dubai Golden Visa?
Although it’s known as the Dubai Golden Visa, it’s actually a UAE-wide investor visa program. Most people apply through Dubai because of its strong economy and real estate market.
1. How the Dubai Golden Visa works
You can qualify for a Golden Visa in Dubai through several routes, such as investing in real estate, investing in funds or companies, starting a business with sufficient capital, or working in a highly skilled profession. Each option requires official documents to prove your investment or eligibility.
2. Initial duration of the permit
The visa is valid for 5 years for some real estate investors and 10 years for other entrepreneurs and highly skilled professionals. In both cases, it can be renewed as long as you continue to meet the requirements.
3. Renewals and maintenance of residency
To renew your Golden Visa, you must maintain your qualifying investment or continue to meet the eligibility criteria. A big advantage is that you can stay outside the country for more than six months without losing your residency, unlike many other visas.
Benefits of the Golden Visa in Dubai
Beyond residency in the UAE, the Dubai Golden Visa provides foreign investors with long-term stability and a number of practical advantages. Here are the main benefits of the Dubai Golden Visa.
1. Long-term or permanent residency
The Dubai Golden Visa offers long-term residency, typically valid for 5 to 10 years depending on your profile, with the option to renew. It is not permanent residency and does not give you UAE citizenship. Emirati nationality is very limited and only granted in rare cases by government nomination.
2. International mobility
As a Dubai Golden Visa holder, you can travel abroad without worrying about losing your residency. You can stay outside the country for more than six months and still keep your visa, which is especially useful if you need to move frequently between countries to manage your business.
3. Inclusion of family members
If you want to bring your spouse or children, this visa lets you sponsor close family members. In some cases, you can also include your parents. In the event of the main holder’s death, family members can generally retain their residency until the visa expires.
4. Access to education and services
The investor residency visa also makes it easier to access education and essential services in Dubai, including schools and universities. It also makes it easier to open bank accounts, use financial services, buy property in Dubai, and access a wide range of public and private services.
5. Benefits for investing and doing business
You don’t need a local employer or sponsor, so you have more freedom to run a business in one of the Middle East’s main financial centers. The Dubai Golden Visa also gives you legal stability to manage your investments.
Who is eligible to apply for the Golden Visa in Dubai?
The next step is understanding who can actually apply for the Dubai Golden Visa. While it originally targeted investors, the program now includes skilled professionals and talented individuals across several fields. Check if you fit one of the categories below.
- Real estate investors: Individuals who invest in one or more properties in Dubai that meet the minimum value required under UAE regulations.
- Investors in companies or funds: Individuals who invest significant capital in approved funds or hold substantial shares in local companies.
- Entrepreneurs: Founders of startups and innovative projects whose companies have been approved by accredited organizations.
- Highly qualified professionals: The Dubai Golden Visa also includes certain in-demand professionals, such as doctors, engineers, scientists, executives, and tech specialists.
- Creative talents and outstanding students: Artists, writers, athletes, inventors, and students with outstanding academic records can also apply for this visa.
Requirements for obtaining the Golden Visa in Dubai
The Dubai Golden Visa has general rules and extra requirements depending on your category. These mainly relate to the legality of funds, maintaining the investment, and meeting basic personal requirements.
1. Required documentation
Commonly required documents include a valid passport, recent photo, visa application form, proof of funds and investment source, plus property documents if it’s real estate, and sometimes extra items like insurance or a medical exam in the UAE.
2. Financial requirements
It depends on the option you choose. For real estate, you need at least AED 2,000,000 ($520,000). Other business or fund investments are similar, and starting a new business requires at least AED 500,000 ($135,000). In all cases, you must show the money is legally obtained.
3. Background checks and security screenings
These checks include UAE authority requirements such as a mandatory medical examination and immigration screening. In some cases, you may also need to provide additional documents like a criminal record certificate.
4. Maintenance of the investment
To keep the Dubai Golden Visa, you have to maintain your investment for the required period. If you withdraw the funds or sell the property too early, you’ll lose the right to renew your residency.
5. Requirements during renewals
You can renew the Dubai investor visa if you still meet the requirements when it expires. This means keeping your investment, having valid documents, and passing the medical exam again. The rules may change over time.
6. Requirements based on country of origin
In general, there are no country-specific requirements for the Dubai Golden Visa, so all foreign investors are subject to the same conditions regardless of nationality.
Types of investments to obtain the Golden Visa in Dubai
The Dubai Golden Visa can be obtained by showing different types of investments. While real estate is the most common option, there are also other alternatives, as shown in the comparison table below.
| Type of Investment | Minimum Amount | Length of Stay |
| Real Estate | AED 2,000,000 ($520,000) | 5 years |
| Investment funds | AED 2,000,000 ($520,000) | 10 years |
| Business investment | AED 2,000,000 ($520,000) | 10 years |
| New business | 500.000 AED ($135,000) | 5 years |
1. Real estate investment
Buying real estate is the most common way to get the Dubai Golden Visa. You need to purchase one or more properties worth at least AED 2,000,000 ($520,000). These can be resale homes, new builds, or off-plan properties, as long as they’re from approved developers.
To maintain your residency, you must keep the property for the required period. If you sell it too early, you’ll lose the right to renew it. Key risks include fluctuations in property prices, rental income variability, and ongoing maintenance costs.
2. Business investment
The second most common option is investing in an existing company in the UAE. As with real estate, you need to keep your initial investment and ensure the business remains active for the required period. As with any business investment, returns depend on performance and market conditions.
3. Investment in funds
This option is good for people who want to invest without managing a business or property. To renew the visa, you must keep the investment under the fund’s rules and visa conditions. Like all investments, funds go up and down and don’t guarantee profits.
4. Other eligible investments
In addition to the most common investment routes for obtaining the Dubai Golden Visa, there are also other less common options.
Entrepreneurs can apply with a business idea that benefits Dubai. It’s also open to skilled professionals like doctors, scientists, artists, and athletes. No investment is needed, approval depends on government recognition of your skills.
Taxes for Golden Visa holders in Dubai
One of the biggest draws for foreigners investing in the city is its favorable tax system. However, it’s important to distinguish between having a residency permit and being a tax resident, since taxes in Dubai can vary depending on your status.
1. Tax residency and immigration residency
Holding a Dubai Golden Visa does not automatically make you a tax resident in the UAE, it only lets you live in the country legally. You can still be a tax resident in your home country depending on its rules.
2. Income tax
There’s no personal income tax in the UAE, so salaries, fees, and other personal income aren’t taxed like in most countries. However, if you’re a tax resident in your home country, you still have to declare your worldwide income there.
3. Investment taxes
There are generally no taxes on dividends, capital gains for individuals, or investment returns. However, companies are subject to corporate tax at 9% on profits above AED 375,000 (about $100,000).
4. Property taxes
While the UAE does not charge annual property tax, there are still several associated costs. For example, a 4% transfer fee is charged when buying or selling a property, along with additional expenses like registration fees, real estate agent commissions, and monthly community maintenance charges.
5. VAT and other indirect taxes
VAT is 5% on most goods and services, which is low compared to many European countries, and some areas like healthcare and education are exempt. There are also small local fees for things like public services and business licenses.
Costs of the Golden Visa in Dubai
Besides the minimum investment for the Dubai Golden Visa, you also have to pay legal and administrative fees during the process. The table below shows typical costs like visa fees, medical tests, Emirates ID, and renewals.
| Concept | Description | Cost |
| Golden Visa Fee | Government fee for processing the visa | Between AED 2,800 and 4,800 ($750 and $1,300) |
| Medical Examination | Mandatory medical examination | Between AED 150 and 700 ($40 and $190) |
| Health Insurance | Health coverage for the United Arab Emirates | Starting at AED 1,000 per year ($270) |
| Emirates ID | Official UAE identification document | AED 1,153 ($310) |
| Document Translation | Certified Translation, Apostille, and Document Certification | Between AED 500 and 3,000 ($135–800) |
| Visa Renewal | Cost to renew the Golden Visa | Between 2,800 and 4,800 AED ($760 and $1,300) |
How do I apply for a Golden Visa in Dubai?
The Dubai Golden Visa application process varies depending on the type of investment, but it generally follows a clear set of steps.
1. Investment preparation
The first step is making an investment that meets the program’s requirements. The most common options are buying one or more properties, investing in a business or funds worth at least AED 2,000,000 ($520,000), or starting a new business with a minimum value of AED 500,000 ($135,000). You also need to keep all documents proving the investment and the legal source of the money.
2. Gathering documents
The next step is preparing the required documents. If any of them were issued outside the UAE, they must be officially translated into Arabic or English. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:
- Valid passport.
- Recent photograph.
- Proof of the investment made.
- Certificate of ownership or company documentation.
- Proof of the legal source of funds.
- Valid health insurance in the United Arab Emirates.
- Criminal background check, if required.
- Results of the mandatory medical examination.
3. Submission of the application
You can apply online through the official portals of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or the Dubai Land Department (DLD) if you’re investing in real estate. You then submit your documents, pay the required fees, and wait for your application to be reviewed.
4. Review by the authorities
The authorities will check that you meet all the requirements and that your investment is legal. If everything is in order, the process usually takes anywhere from a few weeks to up to two months, depending on how many applications they’re handling.
5. Issuance of the Golden Visa and renewal
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your Dubai Golden Visa, valid for 5 or 10 years depending on the category. After that, you’ll need to apply for an Emirates ID, which is mandatory for all UAE residents. From then on, you can legally live, work, and run a business in the country.
Note: The visa can be renewed as long as you continue to meet the original eligibility conditions.
How can I get internet access when I arrive in Dubai?
In the UAE, you can get a local SIM card from providers like Etisalat, but you’ll need to show your passport and Emirates ID. To stay connected right when you arrive in Dubai, the easiest option is a monthly eSIM or data plan like Holafly’s monthly plans.
Choose between 25 GB or unlimited data, enjoy 5G coverage across the country, and connect multiple devices at the same time. You can also travel to over 160 destinations with the same eSIM and plan, making it easy to return home when needed or visit nearby countries.
Holafly also offers an Always On benefit with 1 GB of free data forever, available in 70 countries, which activates once you cancel your subscription. You’ll always stay connected!
Frequently asked questions about the Golden Visa in Dubai
If you’re investing in property, a company, or funds, the minimum amount is AED 2,000,000 ($520,000). If you’re starting a new business, the minimum is around AED 500,000 ($135,000).
No, it is not mandatory, as you can retain your residency in Dubai without having to stay in the country continuously.
Yes, you can include your spouse, children, and other dependent family members in the Dubai Golden Visa application.
No, the Dubai investor visa does not grant citizenship, since Emirati nationality is only given in exceptional cases under government criteria.
Provided that the documentation is complete and accurate, the process can take between two weeks and two months, depending on the investment category.
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