UAE Golden Visa

UAE Golden Visa

• The UAE Golden Visa is a groundbreaking long-term residency scheme that was launched in 2019 to attract exceptional people, investors, and skilled professionals who ranked highly in the world. Since the launch in 2019, the program has become significantly more popular, as the UAE expanded eligibility in 2025 to five new categories that include educators, digital content creators, e-sports professionals, and luxury yacht owners. This shows how the country appeared instantly with an ambition to become the innovative global leader in industries with high knowledge intensity. Now, the Golden Visa gives you and your family 10 years of renewable residency, which is a big deal in providing all-round stability and security. 

• If you are confused about how to get the Dubai Golden Visa as an investor, entrepreneur, or skilled professional, or want to register company in Dubai, your one stop solution would be Tetra Consultants. The chances of approval are fairly high because the Golden Visa application process is fast, and we typically see an approval time of 15 -60 days subject to the selected visa category and the emirate. Besides being unrestricted from local sponsorship, the Golden Visa allows holders the opportunity to sponsor family members, thereby providing you with unprecedented access to one of the world’s best infrastructures and different opportunities within the country. 

What is the UAE Golden Visa? 

• The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa launched in 2019 for foreign expertise (which includes investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, professionals, exceptional students, and humanitarian pioneers) wanting to live, work or study in the United Arab Emirates, with an array of discretionary benefits. It is available as a five or ten-year renewal option. It is part of the UAE’s plan core to attract talent, encouraging skills and knowledge transfer, thus supporting the UAE’s long-term plans for economic diversification and creating globally competitive industries. 

• Unlike a traditional work visa, the Golden Visa does not require a local sponsor. The visa provides more optionality for Golden Visa holders to participate in business and career opportunities independently. A few of the other benefits include the ability to sponsor family members regardless of age, sponsors unlimited domestic helpers, no loss of residency after more than six months outside the UAE, and access to the UAE’s health and education systems. Tax advantages, along with the Privilege card allowing discounts in thousands of businesses, support and complement a compelling case for a skilled individual or investor covering all eventually related costs, given there is no income tax in the UAE. 

Benefits for UAE Golden Visa

Long-term residency: 

• The golden visa provides long-term residency of 5 or 10 years (and can be renewed) for foreign nationals and their families. This prolonged stability is unmatched in most other locations and visa pathways. The authorities have also created a stable and relaxing environment where holders can live, work, and study in the UAE without worrying about when their visa will next be renewed. This provides foreign nationals with the ability to focus on their personal and professional life at their leisure, without the pressure of short-term visa considerations. This is one of the main draws for visas to investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike. 

No local sponsor required:

• One of the greatest benefits of the Golden Visa is that there is no possible way to find a local sponsor or employer. Golden visa holders will have control of their residency status without needing to work with a local sponsor, employer or navigate their constraints. This allows holders to run and manage businesses, pursue job opportunities, etc. based upon their decisions and prevents administrative interference. By eliminating local sponsorship, holders have greater flexibility in the UAE. 

Family sponsorship: 

• Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children of any age, and in many cases parents and domestic helpers without limits in employee numbers. This guarantees family unity and security to be able to live, study, and work in the UAE. Even in the unfortunate event of a primary visa holder passing away, family members are allowed to stay until the visa expires and will ensure further peace of mind. 

Freedom of stay outside UAE: 

• The Golden Visa is unlike other UAE residency visas and does not lose residency visa status with extended stays outside the UAE. This is a huge benefit for any frequent travelers, businesspeople, or anyone that has an international career, as it allows unlimited flexibility to maintain UAE residency without being limited by travel. 

Business ownership and investment: 

• It is possible for Golden Visa holders to own 100% of their business in the UAE. Regular visas do not always permit this to businesses. Access to lucrative real estate, as a possibility to invest in existing properties and watch your investment appreciate. Creates an enabling environment where things thrive for entrepreneurship, innovation, and wealth creation. Attractive for global business leaders and investors. 

Tax benefits: 

• The UAE has a remarkably beneficial tax regime with Golden Visa holders having no personal income tax, capital gains, or wealth tax. This means they are able to maximize the wealth from their earnings and ultimately, the UAE is one of the most favorable locations for high-net-worth individuals and professionals seeking to grow their financial capacity and efficiency. 

Healthcare and education access: 

• Golden Visa holders and their families have access to the healthcare and education systems in the UAE. The healthcare system is world-class, and educational institutions are top-rated, including international schools and universities. This level of care/safety means a good provision for quality of life for families – including children who can secure quality schooling. The UAE is, therefore, a good option for expatriates with families. 

Multiple entry: 

• The Golden Visa boasts multiple entry privileges meaning that Golden Visa holders can enter and exit the UAE as they desire, and do not need to complete extra paperwork or receive approvals. This is ideal for business travelers and individuals who maintain family or business interests in multiple locations. There is a huge advantage to operational efficiency and global mobility. 

Timeline for obtaining UAE Golden Visa 

• With Tetra Consultants, applicants can expect a streamlined timeline to receive the UAE Golden Visa approximately 4 weeks. The golden visa process benefits from Tetra Consultants’ experience with document preparation, eligibility assessment and communication with UAE authorities to ensure all the necessary documents through paperwork are submitted timely and correctly. While the initial approval of the Golden Visa depends on the client’s profile, initial approval is usually obtained in a few days to a month. After the client receives approval, there is a timeline for mandatory steps to complete the application process which includes obtaining a medical fitness test, taking biometric data, and receiving the Emirates ID. Tetra will assist in scheduling mandatory appointments and conducting follow-up on your behalf to minimize application delay due to applicants’ nationality or workload of the authorities. Tetra Consultants will aim to submit files using paperless submissions for a quicker turnaround to receive the UAE visa and residency permit (or visa) within 2 to 3 months. Thus, ensuring you have everything in place to transition into everyday life in the UAE. 

Regulatory authority for UAE Golden Visa 

• The UAE Golden Visa is regulated and overseen by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), which operates the eChannel for residency and citizenship applications, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) for both online and offline Golden Visa applications in each emirate, including Dubai. The laws and regulations for issuing the Golden Visa are found in Article 8 of the attached annex to Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, implementing Federal Law by Decree No. 29 of 2021 on the entry and residency of foreigners, and establishing the criteria for eligibility, documents needed, minimum required investment, and so on for different categories, including for investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students with outstanding academic performance. For instance, real estate investors are required to own property worth no less than AED 2 million, and for all applicants, evidence of meeting the requirements must be submitted to the ICA or GDRFA. ICA and GDRFA endeavour to ensure processes are streamlined, easy to understand, and transparent, in line with the UAE’s aim to attract talent and investments from around the world. 

Who is eligible for the Dubai Golden Visa?  

The Dubai Golden Visa is accessible to a wide variety of eligible people, all of whom have specific categories that must be met, according to UAE authorities. The eligible categories are: 

Investors:  

• Individuals that have invested AED 2 million in real estate, either through direct ownership or off-plan purchase, are in good standing with approved developers. Mortgaged properties are acceptable if the property is mortgaged through a local bank that has approval from the authorities. 

Business/entrepreneurial individuals:  

• Owners or partners of economic projects, especially in fields that are technical, innovative, or future-orientated, for a minimum of AED 500,000 to AED 2 million in investment through proper accreditation by relevant authorities in the UAE. 

Skilled professions:  

• Highly skilled professionals that have proof of expertise and achievements, including doctors, professionals in engineering, scientists, and other specialists. 

Top students and graduates:  

• Students within UAE Schools with high academic achievement, outstanding graduates from UAE Universities and graduates from the world’s best universities based on their academic achievement and their level of ranking. 

High income earners:  

• People earning AED 30,000 or more per month may be eligible to qualify limited to certain professional categories. 

Creative professionals:  

• Artists, authors, content creators, and other creative professionals meet the eligible criteria and obtain relevant accreditation with cultural authorities. 

Senior executives and specialized talent:  

• Senior executive status or high organizational talent as teachers or principals or through other specialized type of talent with proven track record. 

How to apply for UAE Golden Visa in 2025?