Quick Answer
The Golden Visa is a 5- or 10-year UAE residency permit granted to investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, top students, and certain professionals — without needing an employer sponsor and with full self-sponsorship of family.
Introduced in 2019, the Golden Visa breaks from the standard UAE pattern of employer-sponsored 2- or 3-year visas. Eligible categories include real-estate investors (u.ae lists a minimum of AED 2 million), entrepreneurs with approved projects, scientists with major research output, doctors and PhD-holders in priority specialisations, top students, exceptional talents in arts and culture, and remote-work professionals meeting income thresholds.
Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouses, children, and (for the 10-year category) sometimes parents — without the employer-sponsorship constraint. The visa allows an unlimited number of entries, freedom to switch employers without losing residency, and removal of the 6-month-out-of-country rule that cancels regular residency visas.
Fees and processing time depend on the category and the issuing authority; for the property-investor route, DLD's service page lists AED 9,884.75 for the investor (see our Golden Visa guide). ZETUP PRO assists with eligibility assessment, documentation, ICP submission, and Emirates ID issuance.
Official sources: u.ae: Golden visa
Frequently asked questions
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
A 5- or 10-year UAE residency granted to investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, top students, and certain professionals — without an employer sponsor and with self-sponsorship of family.
Who is eligible for the Golden Visa?
Real-estate investors (typically AED 2M property), entrepreneurs with approved projects, scientists, doctors and PhD holders in priority fields, top students, exceptional talents, and qualifying remote-work professionals.
How much does the Golden Visa cost and how long does it take?
Government fees vary by category and emirate and are not published by ICP as a single figure — confirm via ICP (Golden Residency). Processing time depends on the category and the issuing authority.
What are the benefits of the Golden Visa?
Unlimited entries, freedom to switch employers without losing residency, family sponsorship, and removal of the 6-month-out-of-country rule that cancels regular residency visas.
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