Formal requirements
For natural persons who have foreign nationality other than United Arab Emirates nationality and wish to obtain long-term residence in the United Arab Emirates, ranging from 5-10 years.
Economic requirements
Regarding Real Estate:
The minimum acquisition value of property to be granted a residence permit is now set at AED 2,000,000 (approximately USD 545,000)
Regarding Entrepreneurs:
The minimum investment for the entrepreneurs (individuals undertaking activities of a technical or future nature (working with an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the UAE)), and investing a minimum of AED 500,000 (approximately USD 136,000).
Other investment opportunities
Access to the UAE market and specialised free zones and business hubs:
Access to the UAE’s high levels of security, world class infrastructure, government services and talented labour, and UAE’s good relations in the global business environment, in addition to opportunities arising from a fast-evolving economy, diversifying the economy into the areas of tourism and innovation.
Regarding talented individuals:
Talented individuals, e.g. creatives, doctoral degree holders, specialists in the fields of engineering and science and executive directors have opportunities to obtain the golden visa, (subject to an approval or recommendation from the relevant government authority attesting to the candidate’s suitability for the grant of a golden visa).
Minimum stay requirements: No minimum or maximum.
Ongoing requirements
The golden visa is currently under issuance, with noted frequency in the areas of real estate investments, and for talented individuals, particularly in the areas of technology and artificial intelligence.
Ability to bring in family
Permit extended to the whole family.
Language requirements
Not applicable.
Tax implications or related issues
Currently UAE does not have Income Tax, however corporate tax on entities is applicable at a rate of 9%. Tax reductions through Double Tax Treaties, and, benefits from the UAE’s favourable tax treatment of businesses and employees are also applicable.
Other benefits/considerations
Since this is a long-term renewable residence visa (5 or 10 years), the hassle of renewing the residence visa every 2 years (as in the normal case) is not required.
The privilege of not needing a sponsor
The ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months in order to keep their residence visa valid
The ability to sponsor their family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages
The ability to sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers
The permit for family members to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, if the primary holder of the Golden visa passes away.