Complete Guide to UAE Golden Visa Requirements  for Investors and Expats 

• The UAE Golden Visa Requirementslaid the groundwork for a long-term residency visa for investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, and their families to live, work, and study in the UAE. The UAE Golden Visa provides residency options for five to ten years without a local sponsor, with several benefits, including visa-free travel to over 130 countries, access to health and education services, and no income tax.  In 2025, the programme continues to build interest and attract various applicants, including investors with a minimum investment of AED 2 million, talented professionals in art and culture, scientists, entrepreneurs, and talented students, enhancing the UAE’s economic and cultural development. 

• The statistics show how the demand for the UAE Golden Visa has increased, as thousands of applicants have taken advantage of the stability and ‘business-within-reach’ practices since the programme began in 2021. The Golden Visa encourages innovation and development by building an ecosystem with high-value contributors who will add to the vibrancy of the UAE.  

• Moreover, at Tetra Consultants, we know how precious time is, so we will ensure you are fully compliant with all the Golden Visa requirements set out by the UAE Government authorities. Our experts offer a range of options to help our clients from assessing eligibility, documentation assistance, investments advisory services, and the processing of applications, for making the entire application process as easy and smooth as possible.  

• Our depth of local knowledge and personal service allows you to better navigate one of the more complicated aspects of the Visa. With Tetra Consultants by your side, you can rest assured of a growing very long-term residency in one of the world’s most exciting and business-intensive countries. 

Stepwise guide to the UAE Golden Visa Requirementsfor investors and expats in 2025 

Step 1: Criteria assessment 

• Tetra Consultants will first assess the client’s eligibility to qualify for the Golden Visa for the UAE under the investor category. Clients will need to be able to meet at least one of these criteria: 

• Have an investment fund deposit of AED 2 million or more in the UAE. 

• Establish or own a business with a capital investment of AED 2 million or more. 

• Own a company that pays AED 250,000 or more in federal tax every year, or be a partner in such a company. 

• This is an important first step, as when the applicants are qualifying for lengthy residency, they will want to be certain that they qualify – so that they don’t waste time or money.  

Step 2: Entry Visa (if applicable) 

• If the applicant is not in the UAE or does not have a valid residential visa, Tetra Consultants will first obtain an entry visa, which can either be used to enter the UAE and begin the application process for the Golden Visa or enter through a multiple-entry visa for six months. 

Step 3: Fulfillment of investment requirement 

• Tetra Consultants ensures that applicants must fulfill or satisfy their qualifying investments before the application for the Golden Visa officially begins. That means that the applicant must have the required capital invested in a UAE registered investment fund, or business (acquisition of a business or newly set up business) is complete. Fulfilling the investment requirement is the basis for the economic contribution that will be made by investors as part of the Golden visa application process. 

Step 4: Application submission 

• Further, when the investment has been fulfilled, the applicant will be able to apply for the Golden Visa application through the official UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship portal or through authorized service centers. The application itself will include personal documentation, proof of the investment, and other necessary documentation. Applicants will be able to follow their application every step of the way while the Authority is reviewing the Golden Visa application. 

Step 5: Visa approval and cancellation of current residency 

• Once the application has been reviewed successfully, the applicant will receive an email notification that the application has been approved, and then, if the applicant has an existing UAE residency visa, we will cancel your existing residency visa prior to your Golden Visa being issued, so that only their Golden Visa status is active. 

Step 6: Change of status of visa 

• The change of visa status to Golden Visa is automatically processed by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP). Prior to processing the Golden Visa, applicants will have to pay any fines for previous visas before processing the status change. This provides the updated visa stamp and residency status electronically. 

Step 7: Biometrics updating 

• If the applicant’s biometric data is not on the federal government system (fingerprints and photos), the applicant will be required to make an appointment to have their fingerprints taken to verify their biometrics (part of the residency process) at an ICA center. 

Step 8: Issue of Emirates ID 

• Finally, the applicant will receive instructions to collect their Emirates ID cards, which are formal proof of residency in the UAE under the Golden Visa process. This finalizes all steps, and they can then fully access the benefits in the UAE. 

Conclusion  

• For expats and investors, navigating the UAE Golden Visa Requirementsis a process that can be meticulous and complicated. However, if you choose to work with Tetra Consultants, you will gain a true partner for every step of the process with a commitment to streamlining the entire experience. We understand the specifics of UAE regulations and will provide you with personalized assistance to ensure that you meet all requirements outlined in the application form for the application to be successful. 

• At Tetra Consultants, our services are all encompassing and include eligibility assessment, document preparation, advising on investment, application submission, and regular follow-up with UAE officials to ensure a smooth and timely process. Also, we help investors and expats obtain family applications, renewal of visas, regulatory compliance consulting, and reporting to officials in line with UAE standards to ensure that you are not stressed about losing your residency. 

• We help expats and investors navigate and obtain the Golden Visa, however, our expertise goes beyond this as we also provide services pertaining to offshore company incorporation in the UAE, banking, tax planning, licensing, and more, allowing you to take advantage of the possibilities in the UAE’s evolving landscape and market.  

• When you choose us, you are choosing to trust your Golden Visa journey to a team dedicated to excellence, efficiency, and personalized support. We handle the nerdy/technical stuff in the background so that the only thing you need to worry about is your future in the UAE. 

• Contact us to know more about Golden Visa requirements UAE, and our team will revert within 24 hours.