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 (typically AED 2 million property), 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.
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks once eligibility documents are accepted. Total fees range from AED 2,800 to 6,000 depending on category and emirate. ZETUP PRO assists with eligibility assessment, documentation, ICP submission, and Emirates ID issuance.
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