No golden visa for crypto investors! UAE warns against misinformation

UAE authorities have denied issuing golden visas to crypto investors, urging the public to ignore false claims and rely only on official sources

The United Arab Emirates has denied claims that investors in digital currencies are eligible for the country’s coveted golden visa, following reports circulating online suggesting otherwise.

 

In a joint statement issued on Monday, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) clarified that golden visas are not granted based on cryptocurrency holdings.

 

Eligibility criteria still fixed

 

The agencies said the golden visa is only available to specific categories of individuals under clearly defined guidelines. These include:

 

Investors in real estate

 

Entrepreneurs

Individuals with exceptional talent

Scientists and specialists

Top-performing students and graduates

Humanitarian pioneers

Frontline workers

 

“There are clear and officially approved frameworks and criteria for golden visa issuance, which do not include investors in digital currencies,” said a spokesperson for the ICP. 

 

Crypto investments not linked to golden visa

 

The SCA added that while digital currencies are regulated, those investments are “unrelated to golden visa eligibility.” The authority said it follows internationally recognised financial standards and seeks to maintain transparency, credibility, and investor confidence, both domestically and abroad.

 

Investors were advised to rely only on official government sources for information and warned against online misinformation.

 

Dubai’s VARA warns against unauthorised firms

 

The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, responsible for overseeing the crypto and virtual asset sector in Dubai, also dismissed any suggestion that virtual asset investors are being issued golden visas.

 

“Investors and consumers should only engage with companies that are fully licensed and regulated when dealing with virtual assets,” said a VARA spokesperson.

 

The authority confirmed that TON, a company named in recent reports, is “neither licensed nor regulated by VARA.”

 

VARA added that all companies licensed by the authority must comply with golden visa procedures as laid down by the Government of Dubai and relevant federal authorities.

 

All three authorities urged the public to remain cautious and verify information through official websites and approved communication channels. They warned investors to avoid responding to unverifiable offers or advertisements circulating online.