This blog highlights complete eligibility criteria for UAE Golden Visa in 2025 but first we need to understand what is a golden visa? The UAE Golden Visa, also known as a Golden Visa Dubai, is a long-term residency program that offers exclusive benefits to foreign investors and talents, allowing them to live, study, or work in the UAE. The Federal Tax Authority offers golden visa services to entrepreneurs, investors, exceptional individuals with exceptional skills, scientists, Frontline heroes, and humanitarian pioneers for a period of five to ten years. For a Golden visa application in the UAE, there’s no requirement for a local sponsor, and the visa is renewable automatically. Moreover, the Golden Visa system fosters an environment that supports business growth in the country.
In February 2021, the UAE made significant amendments to its citizenship law, offering long-term residency visas to foreign talents. The Council of Ministers of the UAE introduced the system to attract foreign investors and other skilled individuals in their fields, including doctors, engineers, programmers, and outstanding students. You can submit your visa application via innovative online platforms, providing your credentials, attaching the required documents, and paying the fees electronically.
What is the UAE Golden Visa? – Complete Eligibility Criteria for UAE Golden Visa in 2025
The UAE Golden Visa, also known as Golden Visa Dubai, is a long-term residence visa that allows foreign talents and investors to live, work, or study in the United Arab Emirates. The system also provides exclusive benefits such as;
- A six-month entry visa (multiple entries) to complete the residence visa issuance process.
- A renewable and long-term residency visa with a validity of 5 or 10 years.
- The advantage of not needing a local sponsor.
- They can sponsor family members (spouses and children) regardless of their age.
- The privilege to stay outside the UAE for more than the required period of six months to keep their residence visa valid.
- They can sponsor an infinite number of domestic workers.
- Permit for their family members to stay in the UAE until the expiration of their permit if the primary golden visa holder passes away.
For queries related to visas, please contact the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security).
For Dubai visas, please contact (GDRFA) the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs Dubai.
What are the Golden Visa UAE Requirements in 2025? – Complete Eligibility Criteria for UAE Golden Visa in 2025
The Golden visa requirements in the UAE depend on the type of residence, such as entrepreneur, investor, or talent.
Investors in Public Investments – Eligibility Criteria for Golden Visa
If you invest in a public investment fund, you can get a 10-year Golden visa without the need for a sponsor, depending on the following criteria,
- Letter submission from the investment fund registered in the UAE affirming that the investor has a deposit of AED 2 Million
- Submitting a valid industrial or commercial license and a Memorandum of Association (MoA) affirming the investor’s financial capital is not less than AED 2 Million.
- Submitting a letter from the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) declaring that the investor pays the government of UAE an annual amount of no less than AED 250,000
- You must own the invested capital (it can not be a loan).
- Proof of medical insurance (if applicable)
Entrepreneurs – Eligibility Criteria for Golden Visa
If you are an entrepreneur, you may be eligible for a 5-year golden visa, provided you own a modern, technology-based project related to innovation and risk. Moreover, you must get approval letters from the following,
- An auditor’s approval letter that the project value is not less than AED 500,000.
- Approval letter from emirate authorities affirming that the project is of a technical or future nature.
- Approval letter from an accredited business incubator (ABI) in the UAE to establish the suggested activity in the country.
Real Estate Investors – Eligibility Criteria for Golden Visa
If you own a property, you may be able to get a renewable 5-year Golden visa in UAE without a sponsor, subject to,
- Submission of a letter from the land department of the relevant emirate stating that you own one or more properties with a value of not less than AED 2 Million.
- You purchase a property with a loan provided by the specific local banks approved by the local entity.
Outstanding Special Talents – Eligibility Criteria for Golden Visa
Outstanding special talents include,
- Doctors
- Scientists
- Inventors
- Creative individuals in art and culture
- Athletes
- Doctoral degree holders
- Specialists in science fields
- Business executives
- Specialists in science and engineering.
Related subjects of science and engineering include,
- Artificial intelligence
- Viruses and epidemiology
- Software engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Electronic engineering
- Big data
- Biotechnology and genetics engineering
Outstanding Special Talents can acquire a 10-year long golden visa in Dubai if they fulfill the required criteria mentioned below for each category,
Doctors and Scientists
The doctors and scientists must submit the following,
- Doctors require a letter of approval from the United Arab Emirate’s Ministry of Health and Prevention to begin practicing in the medical field.
- The scientists are required to obtain a reference letter from the Emirates Council of Scientists in the UAE or a letter of reference from the department of Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence, affirming that they have awarded the applicant with the Medal of Scientific Excellence.
Inventors
The inventors need to obtain a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Economy in the UAE stating that their patent is valuable and contributes to the country’s economy.
Creative Individuals in Arts and Culture
For the field of arts and culture, you need a letter of approval from the Department of Culture and Arts in your respective emirates.
Related Services
- Obtain a recommendation letter for your Golden Visa application – Ministry of Culture and Youth.
- Apply for a Creative Talent Accreditation (Cultural Visa) – Dubai Culture.
- Get an accreditation certificate for creative individuals – Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
Athletes
Athletes require a letter from the UAE’s General Sports Authority or a sports council.
Specialists in Engineering and Science
For engineering and science fields, you will need a copy of your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, verified by the Ministry of Education in the UAE, and a work contract.
Executive Directors
Executive directors require the following,
- A copy of a university degree certified by the Ministry of Education (not less than a bachelor’s degree)
- A valid work contract
- A salary certificate indicating a monthly salary of at least AED 50,000.
- Letter of work experience of 5 or more years in the same position
Exceptional Students
The golden visa requirements in UAE for this category are as follows,
High School Students
A high school student and a national-level topper may be able to get a golden visa for 5 years without a sponsor depending on the following,
- Obtaining a letter of recommendation from the UAE’s Ministry of Education.
- The general duration for a golden visa is 5 years, which is extendable if the applicant enrolls in one of the colleges in the UAE, fulfilling the 5-year study requirement.
- Students may sponsor their parents or siblings, subject to the criteria set by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
University Students
An outstanding university student may be granted a 10-year golden visa in UAE without a sponsor subject to the following,
- The university must be rated A or B Class by the UAE’s Ministry of Education.
- Submitting a letter of recommendation from the university or a certified graduation certificate/academic record stating the student’s cumulative GPA.
- You completed your university degree less than 2 years ago.
Outstanding Student of a Foreign University
Distinguished student from a foreign university may be granted a 10-year Golden Visa Dubai without a sponsor if,
- The university is ranked among the top 100 universities globally by the Ministry of Education’s rating system.
- The student’s cumulative GPA is 3.5 or more.
- A graduation certificate verified by the Ministry of Education of UAE.
- It has not been more than 2 years since you graduated from the university.
Frontline Heroes
Frontline heroes can also obtain a golden visa in the UAE and volunteer during crises such as COVID-19, provided they get a recommendation letter from a relevant authority. This category includes,
- Nurses
- Lab technicians
- Medical Assistants
- Pharmacologists and others approved by the UAE Frontline Heroes Office.
Pioneers in Humanitarian Work
Pioneers of humanitarian work in the United Arab Emirates are eligible to apply for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa. You must be among one of the following categories to qualify,
- Members and exceptional workers who have worked in local and international organizations for not less than five years.
- Members and exceptional workers who have worked in public interest institutions and civil associations for not less than five years.
- Funders of humanitarian work provided the support is AED 2 million or more.
- Individuals who have been awarded appreciation awards from local or international organizations for humanitarian work.
What are the Golden Visa Salary Requirements in 2025?
The UAE golden salary requirements in 2025 have notably changed. In the past, the overall compensation, including both salary and allowance, was evaluated by the authorities. Under the new regulations, the sole focus is on the basic salary.
Applicants must meet certain conditions to qualify for a 10-year golden visa in Dubai, i.e., a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000. This requirement does not include extra benefits such as housing, transportation, and/or other allowances. In other words, if your overall compensation is more than AED 30,000, you might still not qualify if your basic salary is less than the mentioned amount. The UAE has designed this long-term residency visa to attract highly skilled professionals whose income meets the income criteria.
The eligibility criteria for the United Arab Emirates’s Golden Visa 2025 and salary requirements primarily impact skilled professionals in specialized fields and executives. The new system demonstrates the UAE’s intention to attract top-notch talent who can contribute to the country’s economic and social growth. Here’s a brief breakdown for each category,
Public Investors
who want to obtain a Golden visa in the UAE must obtain a letter from the UAE’s Federal Tax Authority affirming that they are paying annual taxes of AED 250,000.
Entrepreneurs
seeking a UAE Golden visa must present an innovative project that contributes to the UAE’s economy. The project’s value must be at least AED 500,000, and you must have a registered company in the United Arab Emirates.
Talented Individuals
in the fields of culture, arts, sports, and science may be eligible for a golden visa in Dubai based on their achievements without needing to meet any financial requirements.
For investors
The amount of investment depends on the type of investment option. For a real estate investment, the minimum amount is AED 2 million, with higher amounts required for other investment options.
What is the Process to Apply for a UAE Golden Visa? – Complete Eligibility Criteria for UAE Golden Visa in 2025
You can apply for your golden visa in Dubai by following these basic steps,
Getting Your Entry Visa
If you require a visa for entry, you can obtain one to support your application. The authorities examine the entrance visa, and you will receive a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for six months.
Complete Your Investment
Before submitting your Golden Visa application, please complete your investment with the required documents.
Start Application Process
Once you’ve invested, you can start the application process. You can begin your application process via government-designated online portals or in person at a designated visa office. The authorities will notify you about the application status via text message and email.
- If any documents are missing or there are other errors, we will notify you and provide you with 30 days to provide the necessary information. If you do not provide the information within 30 days, the authorities will cancel your application.
- In the event of no errors, the authorities will inform you about the approval via email.
“One Touch” Golden Visa UAE Service – Complete Eligibility Criteria for UAE Golden Visa in 2025
The UAE has introduced a “one touch” golden visa service to simplify the application and renewal process for a Golden UAE residence visa to save time and effort. The service will assist applicants with their visa applications, visa issuance, identity and residency document issuance, and document renewal in one easy step.
You can apply through the official ICP website or the smart app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
What are the Required Documents for a UAE Golden Visa in 2025?
The specific required documents for obtaining a UAE Golden visa depend on each category, such as investor, entrepreneur, etc. However, some standard documents are,
- A passport with 6-year validity
- Passport-size photographs
- NOC
- Medical fitness certificate
- Proof of home address
- Company registration documents – for business owners
- Investment documents for investors (bank statements, property deed, investment documents)
- Valid health insurance certificate (one-year validity)
What are the Benefits of the Golden Visa Dubai?
The UAE visa comes with a range of benefits for individuals pursuing a Golden visa, some benefits include,
- Long-term Residence Visa. It is a 5 or 10-year renewable visa that allows you to live, work, and study in Dubai without needing a sponsor.
- Allows Sponsorship. You can sponsor your family members (spouses and children) regardless of their age, as well as an unlimited number of domestic workers.
- Entry/Exit Privileges. Golden UAE visa holders are allowed to stay outside the United Arab Emirates for more than 6 months without losing their residence visa.
- Tax Benefits. As there is no income tax in the UAE, golden visa holders also benefit from it.
- Access to Healthcare. Golden visa holders benefit from UAE’s first-class healthcare system.
Summary
Ultimately, it is essential to understand the eligibility criteria for the UAE Golden Visa in 2025 if you are seeking a long-term residence visa for work. The golden visa is the best opportunity for Investors and individuals seeking long-term residence in the UAE. As discussed above, the authorities will increase the minimum salary requirements for eligible professionals in 2025. However, there are other ways to obtain golden visas, including entrepreneurship, investment, and talent, each with its distinct financial requirements.
By conducting thorough research and fulfilling the eligibility criteria, you can gain access to the numerous advantages offered by the UAE golden visa, including a multiple-entry visa, extended residency, and the opportunity to sponsor close family members.
Al Riyady Corporate Services is here to help you with all your business ventures. Our expert team has years of experience in company formation in the UAE, Corporate Tax, and Business Licenses. Contact us today for expert advice to save your time and resources and enjoy the benefits of living and working in the UAE.
