What is the Golden Visa?
UAE Golden Visa is very popular in the world and valued by people as it is one of the safest options to live and work in the UAE. The UAE Golden Visa gives long-term residency to people who contribute to the country in one way or the other. It comes in 5-year and 10-year options and can be renewed if you still meet the criteria. Many people call it Golden Visa Dubai, but it applies across all emirates.
This blog explains the main golden visa UAE benefits, the UAE golden visa requirements, and how to get golden visa UAE in a clear way. It also lists all main eligibility routes. Aurum is your partner whether you are applying for UAE investor visa or Golden Visa UAE.
Golden Visa Stats
Number of visas issued | Increased from 47,150 visas in 2021 to 158,000 in 2023 |
Real estate rule change (2024) | The AED 1 million / 50% down payment requirement for mortgaged properties was removed; AED 2 million property value still applies. |
Top recipient groups | Russians, Indians, and Pakistanis among leading Golden Visa recipients. |
2025 expansion | Now five new eligible categories have been added. |
Expanded Categories of Golden Visa
As Golden Visa’s popularity is increasing day by day, so, with new additions, more people can qualify now in 2025.
Category | Eligibility / Criteria (concise) |
---|---|
Healthcare Workers | Nurses with 15+ years of service under Dubai Health Authority (DHA). |
Educators | Private school teachers, principals, and university staff demonstrating academic excellence. |
Content Creators | Filmmakers, influencers, podcasters, digital media professionals with notable work. |
E-sports Professionals | Gaming experts over age of 25 with Dubai Culture accreditation. |
Luxury Yacht Owners | Owners of more than 40m vessels or executives in maritime industries. |
Golden Visa UAE Benefits
Benefit | Explanation |
---|---|
Long-term residency | 5 or 10 years, renewable; travel abroad for more than 6 months allowed. |
No local sponsor | You manage your residency without an employer or local guarantor. |
Family sponsorship | Add spouse and children under your file; continuity if the main holder is no more alive. |
Work & business flexibility | Residency is self-sponsored. To work for an employer, get a work permit. Freelancing needs a freelance permit. |
Services & lifestyle | Strong infrastructure and lifestyle options; keep valid health insurance as required by emirate. |
Property & investment | Real estate from AED 2 million can qualify under the property route. |
Processing convenience | Six-month multiple-entry entry permit during application. |
Esaad discount | In Dubai, eligible holders can apply for the Esaad discount program. |
Driving license support | If your licence is from an approved country, you can usually convert. If not, you may take a direct test route. |
Tax clarity | No personal income tax on salaries. Corporate tax rules depend on your business setup. |
UAE Golden Visa Requirements in 2025
Investors & Property
Investors & Property Category | Eligibility |
---|---|
Investors in public investments | Invest via an accredited UAE fund/company at the set thresholds; capital must not be loaned; meet any required federal tax criteria. |
Deposit investor | Hold a qualifying deposit with an accredited UAE investment fund. |
Investor/Partner | Hold a valid commercial/industrial licence with qualifying paid-up capital and provide required supporting records. |
Tax-contribution investor | Provide an FTA letter showing annual federal tax contribution at the required level. |
Real-estate investors | Own property worth AED 2,000,000+; mortgages allowed if from approved local banks. |
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs are eligible if they are involved in innovative, risk-based project, with letters from an auditor (value), emirate authority, and an accredited incubator.
Specialised Talents
Specialised Talent Category | Key Eligibility |
---|---|
Doctors / Scientists / Researchers | Relevant approval/endorsement from the competent authority. |
Senior Religious Scholars / Clerics | Nomination/approval by the authorised body. |
Inventors | Patent/recognised innovation with economic value + authority recommendation. |
Creative professionals | Approval from the culture/arts authority. |
Executive Directors | Degree, more than 5 years managerial experience, salary at threshold & valid contract. |
Athletes | Recommendation from the sports authority/council. |
Engineering & science specialists | Degree & work contract in an approved speciality. |
Digital talent | Specialist in AI/data/digital economy & required nomination/endorsement. |
Exceptional talent / priority fields | Endorsed elite specialist in the UAE’s strategic sectors. |
Students & Recognition Routes
Students & Recognition Route | Key Eligibility |
---|---|
High-school toppers | Top grades & MoE recommendation; often 5-year visa. |
UAE University students | Top students at approved local universities; meet GPA thresholds. |
Outstanding graduates from top global universities | Recent graduates from top-ranked foreign universities; meet GPA and recency conditions. |
Humanitarian work pioneers | Proven long-term humanitarian record & official recognition/recommendation. |
Frontline heroes | Medical/allied professionals with recognised service during major crises; official recognition required. |
Property Route as the Popular Choice
Minimum value: AED 2,000,000 for one or more properties.
Mortgages: allowed when issued by approved local banks; keep the bank letter handy.
Key documents: passport, photo, title deed/e-title, and (if already resident) Emirates ID and current residence page.
Off-plan: the visa process moves when you have acceptable ownership proof and meet the threshold. Ask when you’ll receive the title deed (or equivalent).
Renewal: if your property value drops below the threshold later, renewal can be affected. Many owners keep a margin above the minimum or add a second property
Work, Business, and Travel Rules
- Working for an Employer: Even with a Golden Visa, you still need a work permit from MOHRE (or the relevant free zone).
- Freelancing: Get a freelance/permit from the relevant authority.
- Changing Jobs: Your residency is not tied to one employer, so you can change without risking the residence.
- Travel: You may stay outside the UAE for more than six months and keep the residence valid.
- Family Continuity: Your spouse and children remain under your file; if the main holder is not alive any more, they can stay until their visas expire.
Health and Lifestyle
Health Insurance: Keep a valid plan that meets your emirate’s rules. If you are employed, you are usually covered by your employer. If not, arrange your own coverage.
Lifestyle (Dubai): Eligible Golden Visa holders in Dubai can apply for Esaad, which offers discounts across education, retail, healthcare, hospitality, and more.
Driving: If your home-country licence is on the approved list, you can usually convert. If it isn’t, you may be among the eligible residents for a direct test route but you still must pass all tests.
Taxes and Company Setup
Personal Income Tax: The UAE does not levy personal income tax on salaries.
Corporate tax:
- Mainland: 9% on profits above AED 375,000.
- Free zones: 0% may apply to qualifying income if you meet all “qualifying free zone person” conditions; non-qualifying income is usually 9%.
If you are pairing your visa with a company, select your company structure carefully. Decide mainland vs UAE free zone based on customers, contracts, and tax treatment.
How to Get Golden Visa UAE
Step 1: Choose Your Route
We will help you choose the right category from the abovementioned categories for which you are eligible. We will do it carefully as requirements and document names can differ by emirate. We will follow the wording on the portal where we will apply for you.
Step 2: Submit Your Documents
We will assist you for the basic documents like as passport, photo, health insurance as well as the proofs for your route. For each category there are different requirements and we are well aware of it. We will help you submit your application through the right portal and pay the fees.
Step 3: Receive the Entry Permit
If you are outside the UAE and want to complete your Golden Visa process with Aurum. We will help you get a six-month multiple-entry entry permit to complete the remaining steps.
Step 4: Do Medical Fitness & Biometrics
Aurum team will also support you in completing the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
Step 5: Residence Stamping & Emirates ID
We will help you get through the process fast and after receiving approval, your residence is stamped or it will be issued electronically. After successful issuance of your Golden Visa, your Emirates ID will show Golden Visa status.
Step 6: Add Your Family
Aurum team will also help you sponsor your spouse and children under your file. You can add domestic workers later if needed.
If you want help, choose Aurum as our expert team offers you reliable golden visa service.
Documents Checklist
- Passport with validity
- Recent photo (UAE spec)
- Category-specific proofs (title deed, bank letters, trade licence, endorsements, contracts, mark sheets, etc.)
- Health insurance as required
- Copies of payment receipts and application confirmations
Apply for Your Golden Visa with Aurum
The golden visa UAE benefits are clear: longer residency windows, freedom from sponsor dependency, and stability for the whole family. For many, pairing the visa with the right company setup is the smart move. Aurum can support you from finalizing the category to the Golden Visa issuance as well as we assist you with business setup in UAE.