UAE Golden Visa guide: How to apply, who qualifies, cost and routes

UAE offers multiple Golden Visa options for Indians, from property to talent-based routes covering long-term residency

The United Arab Emirates offers many categories of golden visas to foreigners.  

What is UAE's Golden Visa?

 

Launched in 2019, the Golden Visa programme originally catered to high-net-worth individuals. In 2022, the property threshold for a 10-year visa was reduced to AED 2 million, widening its reach.

 

The most common ways for Indians to get the UAE’s Golden Visa, especially in Dubai, is by investing at least AED 2 million (₹4.66 crore) in property. Some also qualify by making large business investments in the country.

UAE Golden Visa eligibility 

UAE grants golden visas to individuals with demonstrated or potential merit in areas like science, education, digital media, healthcare, finance, e-sports, maritime, and start-ups.

 

 

Golden Visa options

  

Real estate investor: AED 2 million (₹4.7 crore) minimum property purchase, 10-year renewable visa

Entrepreneur: AED 500,000+ business investment, 5–10 year visa

Public investor: AED 2 million in company shares or deposits

Talent-based categories: Includes doctors, PhD holders, artists, athletes, and frontline workers, generally for 5–10 years

 

All categories require supporting documents and clearance from the UAE government.

 

UAE Golden Visa application process

 

Traditional investment routes:

 

• Choose a category (real estate, business, financial)

• Compile documentation such as title deeds, medical checks, police clearance, and insurance

• Apply through UAE portals like ICP or emirate-specific systems

• Complete biometrics and receive Emirates ID

 

What the Golden Visa fee covers, and what it doesn’t

 

Though the AED 100,000 fee covers visa issuance, applicants may also face additional costs such as:

 

• Relocation and housing

• Private health insurance

• Agent or legal support

• Children’s school or university fees

 

The visa provides residency and sponsorship rights, but does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. 

 

Why Indians may be cautious of UAE Golden Visa

 

“Dubai’s golden visa is attractive due to its proximity to India,” Prashant Ajmera, immigration attorney at Ajmera Law Group told Business Standard. “For someone in Mumbai, travelling to Dubai is as easy as going to Kolkata.”

 

However, he added that many golden visa holders use it more as a secondary residence or holiday base. “The extreme summer heat—often 45 to 50 degrees Celsius—makes year-round living impractical. Hotels charging $400 per night in peak season drop to $150 in summer because demand falls.”

 

Ajmera also pointed out that the UAE’s golden visa does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. “That’s a major factor for Indian families who are evaluating long-term migration. For those with school-age children, Dubai’s schooling options are improving, but higher education still requires sending children to the US, UK, or Canada.”

 

“Many Indian investors explore the golden visa route but often prefer countries where taxation, language, and long-term benefits align better with their future plans,” he said.

 

Where to get help for UAE Golden Visa

 

Those interested in applying can check eligibility and requirements on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) website. For applications in Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD) is the designated body.

 

UAE authorities continue to screen applicants based on merit and background—financial capacity alone is not enough.