UAE Golden Visa: Exploring Eligibility And Categories

The UAE Golden visa was launched in 2019 to attract, retain, and reward exceptional talent from around the world. It is designed for a specific group of foreigners who want to reside, work, or study in any of the country’s emirates without the need for a sponsor while enjoying exclusive advantages.

The maximum validity length for the UAE Golden Visa is 5 years or 10 years, which is automatically extended if the required criteria are met again. Wealthy investors and businesspeople, excellent students, super-talented individuals in certain disciplines, and deserving candidates in specified categories such as humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes are all qualified applicants for the UAE Golden Visa.

The UAE offers a unique opportunity for individuals seeking long-term residence with its 5 or 10-year renewable residence visa. One of the notable advantages of this visa is that it does not require a sponsor or employment requirements. Additionally, unlike regular visas, golden visa holders are not subject to a limitation period for staying outside the UAE. This means that their visa remains valid even if they stay outside the country for more than six months. Moreover, the residence visa extends to family members, including spouses and children, with no age restrictions. Furthermore, there is no maximum limit for applying for domestic workers’ visas or work permits, providing flexibility for those in need of such services.

• Athletes
• Creative specialists in Culture and Art
• Executive Directors
• Entrepreneurs
• Retired Foreigners
• Visa for Investors
• Specialists in Engineering and Science
• Inventors
• Scientists
• Outstanding Students
• Doctors

For all the above categories, there is a standard documentation requirement to be provided, such as passport copy, labor contracts or certificate of income, 6 months bank statements, reference letters, resume and specific category documents such as title deed for real estate investors. Processing time varies from 10 days to few weeks depending on the category and provision of the documents, subject to approval and eligibility.