The Dubai Golden Visa is a robust immigration and residency program developed to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and talented professionals from around the world to the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai Golden Visa offers many benefits to those approved for the visa, ranging from residency in the UAE to access to world-class infrastructure and business opportunities.

Whether you are looking to make a permanent move to the UAE or want to explore the possibilities, the Dubai Golden Visa is an amazing opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

So, if you don’t know much about the Golden Visa, this post is here to get you up to speed.

What is Dubai Golden Visa?

The Dubai Golden Visa issued by the United Arab Emirates government in 2019 offers long-term residency for up to 10 years in the UAE, with the potential for renewal.

This visa provides a comprehensive package of benefits, including the ability to live, work, or study in the UAE, access to world-class medical care and education, and the potential to own real estate in the country. 

Furthermore, it grants visa-holders the ability to move freely between the UAE and other countries in the GCC region.

With its attractive residency package, the Dubai Golden Visa is quickly becoming an attractive option for ex-pats.

Benefits of Dubai Golden Visa

The Dubai Golden Visa is designed to help foreign investors gain access to the UAE’s growing economy and high-quality lifestyle.

Investing in the Dubai Golden Visa offers several advantages, including:

Tax Exemptions

Investors who apply and are approved for the Dubai Golden Visa are eligible for a number of tax exemptions.

These include exemptions on personal and corporate income tax, VAT, and other taxes.

This makes it straightforward for foreign investors to set up businesses and operate without the burden of high taxes.

Long-term residency status

This visa is meant for individuals and families who wish to make Dubai their home or move to Dubai for business, investment, or employment reasons.

The visa provides a long-term residency status for up to 10 years, depending on the option chosen.

This allows individuals and families to stay, work and live in Dubai without needing a regular visa.

Right to sponsor their immediate families

The Dubai government has granted visa applications to those that hold a golden visa, allowing them to sponsor their immediate family members.

In the instance of the primary holder’s death, their family members are allowed to stay in the country until the end of the visa period, making it a kind of insurance for the holder and their family.

The Golden Visa holder can also employ unlimited domestic helpers.

This can be a great boon to those who need childcare and chores assistance.

Reach to advanced health care and insurance package

It is clear that this exclusive healthcare package provides golden visa holders with unprecedented affordability and access to the world-class healthcare the UAE is known for.

With claims of up to Dhs20 million, these packages are truly comprehensive and designed to bring peace of mind to those who avail of them.

100% of the business belongs to you

Another benefit of the program is that golden visa holders can own 100% of a business operating outside the UAE.

Prior to the launch of this program, when starting a foreign business in the country, part of the company had to be owned by a UAE citizen.

The exception was some industrial sectors.

Who can get a Golden Visa in 2023?

Several categories of people can get a golden visa. On October 3, 2022, new amendments came into force that increased the number of applicants eligible for its registration.

  • Real Estate Investors UAE with the acquisition of real estate worth from 2,000,000 dirhams
  • Businessmen, entrepreneurs who own a company that generates more than AED 1,000,000 per year
  • People with extraordinary abilities, including High school students and graduates of UAE universities; Inventors, talented people in the field of culture, art, IT, and sports; Scientists with a Ph.D. or Master’s degree from engineering, technology, life sciences, natural sciences
  • Specialists with the presence of an agreement with an employer in the UAE with a salary of more than AED 30,000 per month
  • Pioneers who have devoted a minimum of five years to humanitarian work for international, regional organizations, civil associations, and institutions of public interest, and individuals who have been commended for their humanitarian efforts by a local, regional, or global organization 
  • During times of setback, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, front-line heroes such as nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, and pharmacologists who go above and beyond in their duty

How to Apply for a Golden Visa?

The golden visa application process depends on your profession and the category in which you apply.

But there are general steps for everyone:

  • Determine your category, and prepare an application and documents.
  • Visit the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website to commence the application process for obtaining the nomination.
  • Submit your documents and pay the required fees.
  • Wait for the application results; it may take up to 30 days.
  • If you already have a visa and have received a positive response, cancel the current one.
  • Submit your golden visa application and passport, and your new visa will be inserted into your passport.

Cost of Dubai Golden Visa

Foreigners wanting to apply for the 10-year visa will incur a fee between AED 2,800 and AED 3,800.

The Golden Visa application fee for those outside the UAE is slightly higher and stands at AED 3,800 – 4,800.

Alongside the application process, there are several additional charges to be taken into consideration.

Firstly, a medical examination fee of AED 1,000 has to be paid. Additionally, the Emirates ID processing fee needs to be catered for.

Finally, all applicants must purchase UAE health insurance which starts from AED 800 and may vary in cost depending on the coverage plans selected.