A golden opportunity with the UAE’s Golden Visa

Tendering a major overhaul in its residency rules, UAE now encourages long-term stays for residents, for which it has introduced the Golden Visa. This visa enables exceptional foreign talent and investors to work & live in the UAE while their visa stays activefor a 10-year period, instead of the current 2-3 years visa tenure.

There are a host of other benefits that come along with the Golden Visa:

• An entry visa for six months with multiple entries allowed to ease off the residence issuance process
• The visa validity is for 10 years, renewable after expiry.
• The visa is self-sponsored, employer sponsorship not needed anymore.
• There is no limit on duration for staying outside the UAE, as opposed to the standard restriction of six months in order to keep the residence visa valid.
• The Golden Visa holder can sponsor their family members, including spouse and children regardless of their age.
• The visa allows sponsoring unlimited number of domestic helpers.
• In the unfortunate event of primary holder of the Golden Visa passing away, the visa allows family members to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.

Who can apply?

1. Investors

Real estate investors can obtain a Golden visa in the UAE if they fulfil one of the following conditions: 

• Purchase a property worth no less than AED two million or
• Purchase a property with a loan from specific local banks or
• Buy one or more off-plan properties of no less than AED two million from approved local real estate companies.

2. Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs can obtain a Golden visa if they fulfil one of the following conditions:

• Own or partner in a start-up registered as a small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE, and the company generates annual revenues of not less than AED one million
• Obtain an approval for a start-up idea from an official business incubator or from Ministry of Economy or other competent local authorities
• Must have founded an entrepreneurial project that was sold for a total amount of not less than AED seven million.

3. Exceptional talents

Inventors, innovators, and exceptional talents in vital fields such as culture, art, sports and digital technology can obtain a Golden visa regardless of their educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary or professional level. The visa requires a recommendation or approval from a federal or local government entity.

4. Scientists and professionals

Scientists

Scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field can get the Golden visa based on a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council. A candidate should have a PhD or a Master’s degree in one of the disciplines of engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from the best universities in the world, as well as substantial research achievements.

Professionals

Professionals or highly-skilled workers with high educational qualifications and professional experience in all disciplines, including medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences can get the Golden visa if they:

• Have a valid employment contract in the UAE
• Are classified in the first or second occupational level as per the classification of Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Have a monthly salary of not be less than AED 30,000.

5. Outstanding students and graduates

High performing students in the UAE’s secondary schools and outstanding graduates from the UAE’s universities and the best 100 universities worldwide can get the Golden visa. Criteria includes academic performance/cumulative average, year of graduation and the university classification.

6. Humanitarian pioneers

Humanitarian pioneers such as the following can get the Golden visa:

• Distinguished members of international and regional organisations
• Outstanding members of associations of public benefit
• Recipients of recognition awards in humanitarian fields
• Distinguished volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian efforts.

7. Frontline heroes

Frontline workers with extraordinary efforts in crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic can also get the Golden visa.

Golden Visa is now available at Al Taj Smart Medical Centre. Apply today.