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The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE golden visa explained: from nomination to investment and who is eligible
The UAE has well-defined guidelines on who is eligible for the 10-year golden visa and has clearly laid out categories under which people can apply. The route can be through property, investment or nomination in a special talent category open to people working in the country or living overseas. Regulations specify that no party or company other than the government or a UAE government entity can approve a nomination for a golden visa. This week, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) denied reports suggesting Indian citizens could obtain a golden visa for a one-time fee of Dh100,000. The fake news sparked confusion in the Emirates, so here The National breaks down the different routes to long-term UAE residency. Clear guidelines 'The regulations are really very clear,' Haider Hussain, partner at immigration services company Fragomen, told The National. 'Any significant change like a lifetime residency or a certain nationality being looked at separately would require a resolution or a change in overall golden visa requirements. 'There is no route that would require a Dh100,000 fee to be paid.' Mr Hussain urged people keen to live and work in the UAE to follow announcements made by government authorities such as the ICP or GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai). 'What is crucial and what the UAE government has very strictly told everyone is not to use the golden visa as a tool to charge unnecessary fees,' he said. 'Third party pronouncements should not be taken seriously.' Nomination route There is no change or update to the golden visa programme but the crucial point remains that only a UAE government entity can approve a nomination and no company can charge a fixed fee for this. In a case of nomination, the applicant's submission is vetted by the relevant government authority. For an individual from the entertainment sector, this would be the Dubai Culture authority, for a sportsperson the Sports Council, and in the investment field the Dubai Economic Department. Equivalent government entities in Abu Dhabi and other emirates will adjudicate, review the application and have the authority to approve the nomination. A third party may be able to help to prepare a case and provide advisory services to support an application or prepare a file. The authorities request that individuals file themselves. Everyone, regardless of nationality, goes through the standard adjudication process. Who can be nominated? If an individual outside the UAE does not go through an investment route of property or a UAE bank account deposit, there are avenues such as the exceptional talent categories. Celebrities, sports personalities, people in the business and entertainment industry have been granted golden visas. So if a person does not live in the UAE but is considered high calibre, is interested in a golden visa for the purpose of eventually moving or investing in the UAE, this avenue is open. The relevant authority would need detailed documentation about the individual's history, their profile and what they could bring to the UAE. In the special talent category, the person does not have to have investments in the UAE but the broader thinking is that once they have a golden visa, they will invest and ultimately make the UAE their home. This is a subjective category, so a strong case has to be presented to the relevant authority for a nomination based on the person's achievements. Other categories The main path is through building ties with the UAE. This could be a Dh2 million property investment. If you already have a property that you bought for less than Dh2 million but is currently valued at more than Dh2 million, you are eligible for a golden visa. You are also eligible if you have at least Dh2 million in a bank fixed deposit or in a UAE investment fund. The investment must be in the emirate where the person is applying for a golden visa. Applicants employed in the UAE earning a minimum gross salary of Dh30,000 (about $8,167) per month, including allowances paid monthly in addition to their basic salary, are eligible. This is the quickest route to a golden visa. Individuals need to submit a salary confirmation letter from their employer and a bank statement for three to six months showing an overall monthly salary of at least Dh30,000 credited to their account. Applicants should have been employed for at least two years by the same company. The salary letter should show the breakdown of salary and the start date of employment. Red flags There is no route involving payment of a fixed fee for a golden visa. The objective is for individuals to contribute through investment, property, setting up an organisation or business, or through their talent. If an advisory or consultancy company asks for a fee, such as the Dh100,000 sum recently reported, for the nomination-based golden visa, this is not legal. Companies cannot charge a fee for nomination as they cannot guarantee its approval. A company can only charge a service fee for advisory support in preparing the documentation, and this is usually agreed with the applicant. What are the fees? This varies per application. A standard application can range between Dh5,000 to Dh9,000 for filing the application, medical tests, Emirates ID and residency application. Other documents The person's passport must be valid for more than six months at the time of application. Education certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy of the country where they were issued and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with an equivalency certificate verification by the UAE Education Ministry. A no-objection certificate (NOC) is needed from the employer for applicants without a government nomination. Once the approval comes through, a medical examination must be completed and biometrics captured. Will my family benefit? Golden visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children and parents, who will secure the same benefits as the original applicant. How long can this take? The timeline is two to four weeks, depending on the application. Nominations could take longer because a government authority may need a few weeks to review the application and make a decision. Overseas travel is possible while the golden visa application is being processed. Once the visa is approved and is in the process of being issued, the applicant must remain in the UAE.
The National
01-04-2025
- Business
- The National
'Golden visa boom': Companies benefit by supporting eligible workers
The UAE's 10-year golden visa has become one of the most sought-after residency options, providing long-term stability for professionals, investors and skilled workers. The 'peace of mind' and stability it offers individuals has created a 'golden visa boom,' say experts, as it has transformed the outlook of people who see a future for their families. Many multinational companies offer the long-term residency to employees marking a major shift from frequently applying for visas and contributes to a sense of security and permanence. 'The mindset has changed because before residents would largely earn their livelihood in the UAE but then invest in their home country. The golden visa has opened up the pathway to stay here longer and made it attractive to look at investment in property and reinvesting in the economy,' Haider Hussain, partner at immigration services company Fragomen, told The National. 'For multinational companies supporting employees who qualify is beneficial as they don't have to be stuck renewing visas every two years. It provides peace of mind as it is a clear pathway for long-term residency. When you get a golden visa, people think of building a life here. 'Other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain are also offering premium residencies and golden visas. It's all out of the golden visa boom happening in the UAE.' There were questions and confusion last year about basic and gross salary requirements and this has been resolved. While no formal announcement was made, companies handling visas have confirmed the current requirements with authorities. Mr Hussain outlines the criteria on frequently asked questions about salary and recent January updates on the length of employment to qualify. A key eligibility factor for the UAE Golden Visa is a minimum gross salary of Dh30,000 per month, including allowances in addition to their basic salary. To qualify, authorities require a salary confirmation letter from the employer and a bank statement for the past three to six months as evidence that this is the overall monthly salary credited. The criteria is that the bank statements reflect consistently that every month at least Dh 30,000 comes in. How companies structure pay packages varies. Any fixed allowance that is paid monthly as part of the salary will be considered. Some companies give housing and transport that comes in as a fixed allowance every month as part of the salary. Education and school bus allowance is often a lump sum that companies will reimburse based on receipts and is paid once or twice in a year. For any allowances to be considered as part of the overall monthly salary these should be included every month in the salary statement. An August 2024 decision by UAE authorities confirms that individuals are once again eligible if they have a minimum gross salary of Dh 30,000 per month, including allowances in addition to their basic salary. This reverses the earlier May 2024 rule that required applicants to have a monthly basic salary of Dh30,000, excluding allowances. Individuals who applied for the golden visa with a minimum gross salary of Dh 30,000 per month may have faced rejections. Rejections could be due to other factors, such as the applicant's job title not aligning with those recognised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, or failure to provide a no-objection certificate from their employer. It is extremely difficult to get an exception to this rule as a salary confirmation letter and bank statement is needed. The only exception is if an individual is nominated by a UAE government authority under one of the special categories. When applying for a golden visa under the minimum gross salary of Dh30,000 per month, the additional criteria includes: a three to six-month bank statement, applicants in Dubai must have a minimum of two years of experience with the same employer within the same local entity sponsoring the visa. Job title: The applicant's job title on their visa and the emirates identity must align with roles accepted by the Mohre, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. NOC requirement: A no-objection certificate or NOC from the employer is required for applicants without a government nomination. Degree attestation: The applicant's degree must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country it is issued and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Equivalency: The degree must be equalised and recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education. Individuals applying under the scientists and specialists (includes executives) category in Dubai, who do not have a government nomination, should have completed at least two years of employment with the local entity sponsoring their visa. The January update means that new hires in Dubai will not immediately get golden visas. This eligibility currently applies only to applicants in Dubai. Other emirates, including Abu Dhabi, do not currently have this requirement. Applicants must ensure they meet the two-year employment condition with the same local entity sponsoring their visa or consider alternative golden visa categories. Individuals can be nominated in special categories for scientists, students, artists, athletes, sections for distinguished professionals and exceptional talents. Special categories are via the nomination route and that usually removes the salary criteria. The investment route is an alternative to obtain a golden visa for people who do not meet the salary criteria. They must own property in UAE worth at least Dh 2 million or have a fixed deposit of at least Dh 2 million in a UAE investment fund or have an investment of at least Dh 2 million in a UAE-registered entity. It is important to remember that the investment must be in the same emirate where the individual is applying for the golden visa. It can be with a single property or combining several properties. Those investing in mortgaged and off-plan properties are eligible if they make a down-payment of at least 50 per cent of the property value or obtain a bank guarantee for the remaining amount. The property should also be at least 50 per cent complete This depends on the route you take to apply for your visa. But generally if all your documents are in order it will come through in two to three weeks. You can travel while your application is in process, but once your current visa is cancelled and your new golden visa permit is in the process of being issued, you must stay in the UAE to complete your medical. The process should usually be completed within a week.
