Latest news with #UAEGoldenVisa


Yemen Online
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yemen Online
UAE offers Golden Visa through nomination without the need of a sponsor
Foreigners who want to live, study, work and settle in the United Arab Emirates can make use of the UAE Golden visa to get a long-term residency without the need for a sponsor within the country. Two important things are important to know about the UAE Golden visa – One, it provides for a long-term residency for a period of five to ten years, and second, there is an online nomination-based process. 'UAE Golden Visa by nomination is only for people who meet the criteria laid down by the UAE Govt. – It's not open to all. You can't just pay fees and get a Golden Visa. It is valid for 10 years and may be renewed thereafter and does not lead to Citizenship in UAE,' says Paresh Karia, CEO, Acquest Advisors. There is a process laid out for applying for golden residency on the UAE government's website, called 'Visa-Golden Residence-Nomination Request For Golden Residence-New Request'.


News18
15-07-2025
- Business
- News18
What Is UAE's Golden Visa And Can You Get It For Rs 23 Lakh? FAQs Answered
UAE Golden Visa: Can any Indian get a lifetime UAE visa by paying Rs 23 lakh? UAE authorities have now issued clarifications to set the record straight. Dubai Golden Visa: The UAE Golden Visa has been the subject of much buzz lately — especially after misleading social media posts and reports went viral about special deals, new nomination rules, and even a 'lifetime" visa being available for Indians at a fixed cost. UAE authorities have now issued clarifications to set the record straight. Here's everything you need to know and all your questions answered on the UAE Golden Visa. What is the UAE Golden Visa? The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa that allows foreign nationals to live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a local sponsor. First introduced in 2019, it offers 10-year validity (renewable) and targets investors, professionals, exceptional talents, scientists, entrepreneurs, and outstanding students. It aims to attract and retain global talent to contribute to the UAE's economic and developmental growth. Can You Get UAE Golden Visa for Rs 23 Lakh? No, there is no such fixed-rate Golden Visa available for Rs 23 lakh. This false claim gained traction on social media in India, misleading many into believing that a lifetime visa could be purchased for Dh100,000 (roughly Rs 23 lakh). However, the UAE government has officially denied any such scheme. Authorities warned the public to rely only on verified channels and not fall for offers that sound 'too good to be true". Is UAE Golden Visa a Lifetime Visa? No, the UAE Golden Visa is not a lifetime visa. It is valid for 10 years and is renewable upon meeting the criteria. The rumour about lifetime visas being granted to select nationalities, including Indians, was also false. A UAE official clarified to Khaleej Times that 'there is no such thing as a lifetime visa for any nationality." Can Any Indian Get UAE Golden Visa? Not automatically. Indians — like any other nationality — must meet the eligibility criteria set by UAE authorities. There is no nationality-specific entitlement. Claims that Indians are being offered Golden Visas in a special scheme have been refuted by the UAE government. Who All Are Eligible for UAE Golden Visa? According to the UAE government guidelines, the following categories of people may be eligible for the 10-year Golden Visa: Applicants must meet specific financial, academic, or professional benchmarks based on the category they apply under. How to Apply for UAE Golden Visa? The application can be made through official channels, including: You will need to submit documents proving your eligibility — such as educational degrees, salary certificates, investment documents, or recognition awards — depending on your category. What Was the Confusion Over UAE Golden Visa and What Authorities Said? A misleading campaign circulated through social media and WhatsApp groups in India sparked the confusion. The message falsely claimed that Indians could get a lifetime Golden Visa for Dh100,000 and even nominate others. Some reports implied that Indian businessmen were being offered the visa at fixed rates. The Khaleej Times reported that UAE officials have categorically denied all such claims. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security confirmed there is no such programme and urged the public to verify any information with official government websites. The UAE Golden Visa remains a merit-based long-term visa programme. However, viral social media rumours about lifetime visas, fixed-price packages, or nationality-based entitlements are completely false and have been officially denied. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why more startup founders are moving to the Gulf
Entrepreneurs from India, Europe, Africa, and the US are increasingly choosing Gulf cities like Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha to launch and grow their ventures/Representative Image TL;DR: Founders of startups are increasingly moving away from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America to the Gulf. The major draw factors are tax-free salaries, complete foreign ownership, and long-term residency Government-facilitated accelerators, incubators, and sovereign funding provide a speedy route to expansion. Infrastructure, security, and family-friendly settings render the area attractive for founders and staff. Drawbacks are the cost of living, quotas for hiring, and changing regulatory landscapes but the push goes on. A Shift in Entrepreneurial Gravity Historically, would-be entrepreneurs flocked to the comfort of well-known centres such as Silicon Valley or London. But more and more, they're flocking to Gulf cities instead, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Manama, and Doha. It's no coincidence that this is happening, it's the result of a deliberately crafted makeover of the Gulf as a global startup corridor. What's Drawing Founders There? Business‑Friendly Tax and Regulatory Environment: The Gulf has no personal income tax, good corporate tax regimes, and complete foreign ownership across most sectors. Free zones and accelerator zones make setup, banking, and licensing easy. Long‑Term Residency Without Employer Ties: Initiatives such as the UAE Golden Visa and Saudi Premium Residency enable founders to remain for years, even decades without typical sponsorships. Access to Capital and Sovereign Support: VC firms such as BECO Capital, STV, and Shorooq, along with sovereign initiatives like Saudi's SVC and ADGM's innovation hub, are powering a rising investment wave. Founders now have direct access to capital and launchpad grants, especially in deep tech and climate tech. Regional Launchpads and Scale-Up Potential: With strong infrastructure, Gulf-based startups can easily expand into Africa, South Asia, and Europe via nearby flights. This proximity and market access are hard to replicate elsewhere. Hands-On Government Engagement: Gulf governments are not mere regulators; they are ecosystem enablers. Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, Monsha'at in Saudi Arabia, Qatar's Digital Valley, and Bahrain's incubators offer subsidised housing, workspaces, mentoring, and funding assistance. Secure, High‑Standard Lifestyle for Founders and Families: Most founders point to robust infrastructure, security, education, and multi-cultural society. According to one founder, it took only weeks to establish in Dubai with minimal red tape and great quality of life conditions. Who's Moving and Why Does It Matter? Founder migration is in waves. Asians, Africans, and Middle Easterners are moving in large numbers to grow regionally. Western tech entrepreneurs, particularly in climate tech or AI, view the Gulf's mega-projects (such as NEOM) as fertile ground to pilot and apply their solutions. To illustrate, many Indian startup groups have relocated to Dubai, attracted by ease of establishment, closeness to market, and facilitative policy environment. Dubai Chambers consequently registered more than 12,000 new non-Emirati businesses in 2024 alone. Egyptian startups faced with internal economic challenges such as a currency crash and legal ambiguity are also migrating to Saudi Arabia, attracted to stability and certainty of the Gulf's frameworks. Fintech, healthtech, AI, logistics, climate-tech, and edtech founders get the most spotlight and favor. Gulf governments are coordinating startup targeting with national development plans and giga-projects. Real Challenges Ahead The benefits bring realities: High cost of living, particularly in high-end regions Hiring quotas and nationalisation policies (e.g., Saudization) that may impact team makeup Regulatory complexity in areas such as healthcare, crypto, or fintech, simplified but not necessarily straightforward Investor restraint in initial phases beyond UAE and KSA Founders have to balance these considerations, but most tolerate the compromises for access to capital, residence, and scale. Scaling Through Coherence The startup ecosystem in the Gulf is transforming through ordered specialisation: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are emerging as fintech and AI hubs Riyadh is backing industrial, digital infrastructure and deep tech entrepreneurs Qatar is leveraging its FIFA and Expo legacies in sport-tech and mobility solutions Bahrain is sowing fintech and regtech innovation, frequently piloting from its less burdensome regulatory regime This collaborative strategy forms a cohesive regional corridor and provides founders with multiple points of entry tied to sector strength. A Region in the Middle of a Transformation Even with global investment slowdowns, the Gulf's startup economy is on the rise. The region's entrepreneurial pace is supported by sovereign capital, strategic intent, and a coherent ecosystem blueprint according to the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report. Whether you're an emerging founder, tech investor, or policy nerd, it is evident that the Gulf is no longer a fringe participant, it's at the centre of the global startup narrative. FAQs Q. What is driving startup founders to move to the Gulf? They are attracted by low or zero taxes, quick and agile company formation, venture funding access, long-term residency opportunities, and strategic access to growth markets in Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia. Q. Which nations are driving this movement? The UAE and Saudi Arabia are currently leading in securing founders. Bahrain and Qatar also have active startup hubs through less regulation and focused sectoral approach. Q. What type of assistance do governments provide to startups? From subsidised office space to founder grants and innovation hubs like Hub71 (UAE) and Monsha'at (Saudi), governments actively assist founders in scaling up their businesses at pace. Q. Which are some of the priority areas being targeted by Gulf countries? Fintech, AI, healthtech, climate-tech, logistics, and edtech are some of the priority areas. Startups linked to sustainability objectives and smart infrastructure are being supported the most.


News18
08-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Can You Get UAE Golden Visa For Life After Paying Rs 23 Lakh? All You Need To Know
Last Updated: Indians can now get the UAE Golden Visa by paying AED 100,000 (about Rs 23.3 lakh) — provided they clear a few conditions. UAE Golden Visa: In a major shift from its earlier rules, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a new nomination-based Golden Visa scheme, which allows eligible Indians to get UAE's prestigious long-term visa for life, and that too without investing crores in property or business. What Is UAE's Golden Visa? The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa introduced in 2019 to attract investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and professionals. Valid for 10 years, it allowed holders to live, work, or study in the UAE independently — without a local sponsor. Until now, eligibility mostly depended on property investments, business or startup ownership, and special talents (in science, sports, arts, etc.). The new nomination-based model adds a simpler route — especially for those who may not want to tie up funds in property but still want permanent residency in a global hub like Dubai. What's New in the Golden Visa Policy? Until now, one of the main ways Indians could get a UAE Golden Visa, especially in Dubai, was by investing at least AED 2 million (around Rs 4.66 crore) in real estate or pumping in huge sums into a local business. But, the new nomination-based model is breaking that pattern. Indians can now get the UAE Golden Visa by paying AED 100,000 (about Rs 23.3 lakh) — provided they clear a few conditions. PTI. Applicants do not need to buy property or start a business in the UAE anymore. Instead, they will go through a background screening conducted by Rayad Group, a consultancy chosen by the UAE government for the pilot phase in India. 'Whenever an applicant applies for this Golden Visa, we will first check their background, which will include anti-money laundering and criminal record checks, as well as their social media," said Rayad Kamal Ayub, managing director of Rayad Group, told PTI. The review also checks if the applicant can benefit UAE's economy or society — in culture, trade, start-ups, science, finance, or professional services. Once approved, the application is sent to the UAE government, which then makes the final decision on issuing the Golden Visa. What Does This Visa Offer? A life-long UAE Golden Visa allows the holder to live and work in the UAE without needing a sponsor, bring family (spouse, children, etc.), hire staff like servants or drivers, engage in any business or profession, and stay permanently, even without ongoing investments or property. Rayad Kamal told PTI, 'The property-based Golden Visa ends in case of property sale or division, but the nomination-based visa will remain forever." UAE Golden Visa: How Can You Apply? You don't need to visit Dubai to apply. Applications can be submitted through: Over 5,000 Indians are expected to apply for this Golden Visa over the next three months alone, according to PTI. Why India Was Chosen First India's selection for the pilot phase reflects strong business and diplomatic ties with the UAE. The two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May 2022, strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and mobility. 'This is a golden opportunity for Indians to get the UAE's Golden Visa," said Rayad Kamal. China and other CEPA partner nations are expected to be included in future phases of this project. Can You Get UAE Golden Visa Just By Paying Rs 23 Lakh? You can now get a UAE Golden Visa for life by paying Rs 23 lakh, but only if you meet certain background and merit-based conditions. The move is designed to attract credible, high-potential individuals from India, and offers a huge opportunity for professionals, entrepreneurs, and even cultural contributors looking to build a life in the UAE. Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates—only on News18. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : golden visa Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 08, 2025, 15:21 IST News business Can You Get UAE Golden Visa For Life After Paying Rs 23 Lakh? All You Need To Know


India Today
08-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
UAE opens direct Rs 23 lakh route for Indian Golden Visa. All you need to know
The UAE just launched a nomination-based Golden Visa for Indians, no trade licence or property needed. You pay a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (around Rs23.3lakh), and after vetting, you get permanent residency. That's a big shift from earlier rules requiring an AED 2million investment in real estate or ELIGIBLE?Now open to anyone who boosts the UAE's economy or culture, from scientists, teachers and nurses with 15+ years' experience to startup founders, YouTubers, podcasters, esports athletes, maritime pros and yacht owners. Rayad Group, with partners like VFS and One Vasco, handles applications in PROCESS IN BRIEF1. Nomination by authorised bodies.2. Background checks: AML, criminal records, social media reviews.3. Fee payment: AED 100,000.4. Final approval from UAE authorities no need to visit the UAE during the IT MATTERS? This new UAE nomination-based visa remains valid for life, even if you sell property or close a business. You can bring family, drivers, domestic helpers, and work freely, unshackled by previous investment 5,000 Indians are expected to apply within the first three months. This move strengthens cooperation under the India-UAE CEPA, effective May 2022, and is a pilot ahead of expansion to other countries like STAYS THE SAME?Other Golden Visa options remain, like AED 2million in real estate, AED 500,000 in startups, or recognised talent categories (doctors, nurses, teachers, humanitarian workers, content creators, esports athletes, etc.).PEOPLE ALSO ASK THESE QUESTIONS:Q1. How to apply for UAE Golden Visa from India?To apply for the new nomination-based UAE Golden Visa from India:1. Nomination: You need to be nominated by authorised entities such as the Rayad Group, which operates with partners like VFS and One Vasco.2. Eligibility Check: Your background will be vetted, this includes criminal records, anti-money laundering checks, and even your social media activity.3. Pay the fee: If approved, you must pay AED 100,000 (approximately Rs 23 lakh).4. Approval: After verification and payment, the UAE government issues the Golden Visa.5. No need to visit the UAE during the process. Everything can be done remotely from India.Q2. Is the UAE giving a Golden Visa for Rs 23 lakh?Yes. As per the new nomination-based route, eligible Indians can now get the UAE Golden Visa by paying AED 100,000, which is roughly Rs 23 lakh. This method does not require property ownership or a trade licence, unlike earlier.Q3. What are the benefits of UAE Golden Visa 2025?Some of the major benefits of the UAE Golden Visa include:Lifetime residency in the need to maintain property or business once the visa is to work or start a business in the of family members, domestic workers, and flexibility and long-term stability without the usual visa the UAE giving a Golden Visa for Rs 23 lakh?Yes, under the new process, eligible Indians can get a UAE Golden Visa by paying AED 100,000, which is about Rs 23 lakh. This is a nomination-based route, so not everyone qualifies automatically. You must meet certain criteria and pass background checks.Q5. Is the Golden Visa a lifetime?Yes, under this new nomination-based model, the UAE Golden Visa is granted for life. You do not need to invest in property or keep a trade licence active to maintain the visa. Once issued, it remains valid even if you no longer own assets in the UAE.- EndsMust Watch