The Golden VISA in Dubai is a popular means of obtaining a longer residence permit in Dubai or the United Arab Emirates. But what are the requirements for the VISA, what is the application process and what are the costs?
Everything you need to know about Golden VISA in this comprehensive guide.
- The benefits The Golden Visa includes a 10-year residence permit as well as a concierge service provided by the authorities for Golden Visa holders.
- The prerequisites are investment (at least 2,000,000 AED) or special professional groups such as doctors, engineers or similar.
- The costs are around 10,000 AED for the application. If processed through an agency, these are usually higher.
What is the Dubai Golden Visa?
The Dubai Golden Visa is a special residence permit valid for 10 years and can be easily renewed in many cases. This type of residence permit lasts much longer than the standard employment visa, which is only valid for 2 years and must be renewed afterwards. In return, the requirements and prerequisites are also significantly higher.
Advantages
The Golden Visa in Dubai offers numerous advantages over a conventional work visa. Below are the most important aspects that speak in favor of a Golden Visa.
10 years of residence
Anyone who holds a golden residency permit for themselves and their family members has a UAE residence visa for up to ten years, whereas a standard residence visa must be renewed every two years (or every year in the case of a freelancer visa).
Self-financed work or residence
Holders of a golden visa to the UAE can live, work and study in the country for the entire duration of their visa, with or without taking up local or other employment. The holder can work for themselves or for another company (local or otherwise) without the need for individual sponsorship. Unlike the standard residence visa, the UAE golden visa allows holders to stay in the country long-term without employment.
Sponsoring family
The UAE Golden Visa allows the holder to sponsor their family members, including spouses and children (regardless of their age).
If the principal holder of the golden visa for the UAE should pass away during the term of the ten-year visa, his/her family members may remain in the UAE until the natural expiry of the visa.
Holders of this visa category may also employ and support an unlimited number of domestic helpers. The golden visa for the UAE does not limit the number of persons employed and supported.
Requirements
Following recent changes to the UAE's residency and entry regulations, more people can apply for a golden residency visa.
Individuals who fall into the following categories are eligible to apply: Investors, Entrepreneurs, Exceptional Talents, Scientists and Professionals, Outstanding Students and Graduates, Humanitarian Pioneers and Heroes on the Frontline.
Below you will find further information on the individual categories:
An overview of the routes that are practically relevant for expats:
| Category | Requirement | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Property investor | property worth at least 2,000,000 AEDaround 500,000 €, several properties can be combined | 10 years |
| Public investment | fixed deposit or fund units from 2,000,000 AEDtied up for at least two years | 10 years |
| Entrepreneurs | project of recognised value or confirmation from a licensed incubator | 5 – 10 years |
| Specialised talent | doctors, scientists, engineers, executives, creatives, athletes, specialists with a doctorate | 10 years |
| Outstanding students | top degree from a recognised university | 5 – 10 years |
| Content Creator | proof of reach and influence, usually via the NMA licencesee Influencer-Lizenz | 10 years |
| Humanitarian pioneers & frontline heroes | documented service, awards | 10 years |
As of September 2026. The categories are extended regularly, most recently by nurses, teachers and content creators. The official overview is authoritative, at u.ae; for Dubai the assessment runs through the GDRFA, and for property additionally through the Dubai Land Department.
1. investors (real estate)
The first and best known way to obtain the Golden VISA in Dubai is through investment. The VISA is obtained by investing AED 2,000,000. However, there are several options.
Real estate
The first way is via the investment or purchase of one or more properties. As described above, the value of the property must be AED 2,000,000 million or more. Several properties can also be combined to reach this amount.
In addition, the property does not have to be completed or paid off. This means that off-plan properties or financed properties are also suitable.
Bank deposit
The second option, less well known but perfectly valid, is a deposit of the same amount with a bank in the UAE. What is required is a fixed deposit of AED 2,000,000 locked in for at least two years; the bank issues a confirmation that goes with the application. Interest follows the usual fixed-deposit rates, roughly 3.5 to 4.5 per cent a year in September 2026, but the interest itself is not a condition for the visa.
As long as you hold the property or the deposit in the account, the VISA is active and can be renewed without any problems after 10 years.
2. entrepreneurs
Real estate entrepreneurs can apply for and obtain a golden visa for the UAE if one or more of the following three conditions are met:
The applicant must be a partner or owner of a start-up company that is registered as a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the UAE. The company must have an annual turnover of at least AED 1 million.
The entrepreneur must have established an entrepreneurial project that was sold for more than AED 7 million.
The applicant has a business start-up permit from an official business incubator.
3. exceptional talents
Individuals with exceptional talents, such as inventors, innovators and talents in important fields such as culture, arts, sports and digital technology, can apply for and receive a golden visa to the UAE, regardless of their educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary or professional level.
A recommendation or approval from a federal or local government agency is required for the visa.
4. scientists
Scientists and researchers who are highly successful and influential in their field can apply for a golden visa if they receive a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council.
In this category, potential candidates for a golden visa should have a PhD or Master's degree in engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from the best universities in the world, as well as significant research achievements.
5. skilled workers
Specialists or highly qualified workers with high educational qualifications and professional experience can also apply for the golden visa. This category applies to many fields such as medicine, science and technology, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences.
The prerequisite for the application is an employment contract in the UAE and a classification in the first or second professional level according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. The applicant must also have at least a Bachelor's degree and his salary must be at least AED 30,000 (per month).
6. outstanding students and graduates
Outstanding and high-achieving students from the UAE secondary school system and outstanding graduates from UAE universities are eligible to apply. This also applies to outstanding graduates of the top 100 universities worldwide.
There are several requirements, including academic performance/cumulative grade point average, one year of graduation, and university classification.
Students from top universities worldwide with a grade point average of 3.8 and above are eligible to apply for the golden visa. High school students who have achieved a grade point average of at least 95 percent on their high school transcript from public or private schools are also eligible to apply. The families of these students are also included in the visa.
7. humanitarian pioneers
Humanitarian pioneers can apply for the golden visa for the UAE. Humanitarian pioneers include respected members of international or regional charitable organizations or members of non-profit associations.
Recipients of humanitarian and charitable awards are eligible, as are recognized volunteers who assist in humanitarian, crisis-related and charitable efforts.
8. influencers
Since 2025, major influencers also have the option to obtain a Golden Visa. However, the requirements for this are very high. Generally, they should possess a global reach and certain types of content. Entertainment videos or pranks are usually not sufficient.
If you would like to is an influencer and wants to emigrate to Dubai, can, however, also be a regular work visa with a Freezone company along with Content Creator License received.
Process
The process for obtaining the Golden Visa varies depending on the path chosen or the prerequisites met. Below is an overview of the key steps.
Application
The first step, provided that the requirements have been met, is to submit the application. This step is the most individual, as the path differs depending on qualifications and prerequisites. Here is an overview of the best-known and most popular options.
- Real estate For real estate, the application process is handled through the real estate portal. Dubai Land Department Cube.
- Bank deposit Here the application also finds General Directorate of Identity and Foreign Affairs Dubai instead.
Entry visa
Afterward, you will receive a temporary entry visa. This is usually valid for 60 days and should be presented at passport control upon entry at DXB. Premature entry without this entry visa or only with a tourist visa should be avoided, as this will incur extra costs for a “Visa Status Change.”.
Medical Test & Biometrics
The medical test is crucial, regardless of which visa you choose. It typically takes no longer than 15 minutes, including waiting time. Specifically, blood will be drawn and a chest X-ray will be performed to rule out highly infectious diseases. A popular place for this is the Smart Salem Center City Walk.
The result will be processed via VIP service within 3 hours.
Subsequently, you will need to go to a nearby Typing Center with the results. Here, your fingerprints will be taken as part of the biometrics process, so they can be stored on your Emirates ID.
Emirates ID Application
After this is completed, you can fill out the Emirates ID application and upload it to the respective portal. This usually only takes a few minutes.
Exhibition Emirates ID & Golden Visa
After a few days, you will receive the Golden Visa digitally via PDF or see it in the ICP UAE Application. Emirates ID is also visible in the app, but is also physically delivered, as it is repeatedly scanned in practice.
Golden Visa, investor visa or green visa?
The Golden Visa is not the only route to long-term residence, and for many it is not the cheapest. Four options are realistically on the table:
| Visa | Requirement | Term | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa | from 2,000,000 AED investment or special qualification | 10 years | none needed |
| Investor visavia property | sole ownership with no minimum purchase price, with co-ownership from a 400,000 AED share | 2 years | none needed |
| Green visa | freelancer or skilled worker with a degree and proof of income | 5 years | none needed |
| Residence visa via a company | your own freezone or mainland company | 2 years | your own company |
For most expats the route through their own company is the fastest and cheapest way in: it costs a fraction and can be switched to a Golden Visa at any time later, once a property or another qualifying condition is added. The Golden Visa pays off above all if you are investing in Dubai anyway or need freedom from a sponsor.
Costs
Apart from the initial investment costs for real estate purchase or bank deposit, the costs for the application, processing, and obtaining the Golden Visa are around 10,000 AED. This includes
- official fees
- Medical test
- Biometrics
- Emirates ID
Doing it yourself naturally risks mistakes and delays. For an efficient process, you can expect total costs of 15,000 – 20,000 AED.
The decisive difference, though, lies elsewhere than in the term: the Golden Visa works without a sponsor . With an ordinary residence visa you hang on an employer or on your own company; if the sponsor falls away, the visa goes with it. With the Golden Visa you are your own sponsor. That has three consequences which weigh more in daily life than the ten years:
- You can leave the UAE for as long as you likewithout the visa lapsing. With a normal residence visa it expires after six months of absence.
- You can sponsor your spouse, children and domestic staff, regardless of your own income, and the family visas run for as long as yours.
- You are not required to leave immediately if you change jobs or wind up the company, which makes moving between projects far more relaxed.
One misunderstanding is worth clearing up: the Golden Visa is not citizenship and not a passport. It is a long-term residence permit that can be renewed for as long as the requirement continues to be met. Sell the property or close the bank deposit and the basis is gone.
Sources: u.ae: Golden Visa, gdrfad.gov.ae, dubailand.gov.ae
Broken down per person it looks like this:
| Item | Costs |
|---|---|
| Application and issue of the Golden Visa | 1.600 – 2.200 AED |
| Emirates ID, 10 years100 AED per year of validity plus service fee | ca. 1.150 AED |
| Medical Test | 320 – 750 AEDstandard or VIP processing |
| Status change inside the country if required | 500 – 670 AED |
| Dubai Land Department verification feeproperty route only | ca. 4.000 AED |
| Official costs in total | ca. 4.000 – 9.000 AEDaround 1,000 – 2,300 € |
Indicative figures, as of September 2026, excluding the investment itself. The property route sits at the upper end because valuation and proof of ownership run through the Dubai Land Department. For a spouse and children the same items arise again, without the verification fee. Anyone handing over the process pays a further 1,000 to 2,500 € in service fees.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked most often about the Golden Visa.
How do I get a Golden Visa in Dubai?
Through one of the recognised categories: property from 2,000,000 AED, a fixed deposit of the same amount, a recognised business project or a special qualification as a doctor, scientist, engineer, creative, athlete or top graduate. In Dubai the application runs through the GDRFA, and for the property route additionally through the Dubai Land Department; then come the medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
What does a Golden Visa in Dubai cost?
Apart from the investment, official costs run to around 4,000 to 9,000 AED per person, so about 1,000 to 2,300 €. That covers the application, the Emirates ID for ten years, the medical test and, on the property route, the Dubai Land Department verification fee. Through an agency, add 1,000 to 2,500 € in service fees.
What advantages does the Golden Visa offer?
Ten years of residence without a sponsor, free entry and exit without the usual six-month rule, the right to sponsor spouse, children and domestic staff, and independence from an employer or your own company. In tax terms it brings nothing an ordinary residence visa would not, because what counts is residency, not the type of visa.
Which countries offer a golden visa?
Besides the UAE, Portugal, Greece, Spain (until its abolition in 2025), Italy, Malta and the USA through the EB-5 programme, among others. The difference: in most European programmes the visa leads to citizenship in the long run; in the UAE it does not. In return there is no income tax there, which for most people is the real reason.
Does an off-plan or mortgaged property qualify too?
Yes. The property need be neither completed nor paid off; what counts is a total value of at least 2,000,000 AED. For mortgaged properties the authority looks at the value or your own share, and for off-plan the developer must be approved. Several properties can be combined to reach the sum.
Do I lose the Golden Visa if I sell the property?
Yes, the basis falls away with it. The visa is not annulled retroactively, but it will no longer be confirmed at the next check or renewal. Anyone planning to sell should create an alternative basis first, for instance another property or a visa through their own company.
How long does the application take?
With clean paperwork the GDRFA approval often comes within 48 hours; on the property route through the Dubai Land Department it takes up to ten working days. Then follow the medical test and biometrics on the ground, for which three to four working days should be planned. All in all, usually two to four weeks.
Do I have to live in Dubai to keep the Golden Visa?
No. Unlike a normal residence visa, which lapses after six months of absence, with the Golden Visa you can stay outside the UAE for as long as you like. For tax residency that is not enough, though: what counts there are actual days of presence and your centre of life, as set out in the guide Taxes in Dubai.
Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
No. The Golden Visa is a residence permit, not a route to a passport. The UAE grants citizenship only in rare exceptional cases and by nomination. The visa, by contrast, is renewed indefinitely as long as the requirement continues to be met.
Is the Golden Visa worth it compared with forming a company?
Only if you are investing anyway or need independence from a sponsor. A visa through your own freezone company costs around 6,500 € including formation and is in place within a few weeks; the Golden Visa requires 2,000,000 AED of tied-up capital. Both lead to an Emirates ID, a bank account and tax residency.
Summary
The Golden Visa in Dubai and the UAE is a great way to obtain a residency permit for up to 10 years. This is usually achieved through real estate investment, but also through other outstanding achievements. Additionally, the Golden Visa offers further advantages such as the ability to independently establish a mainland company or sponsor visas for family members.
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