Dubai Golden Visa

Dubai - Golden Visa

The Dubai Golden Visa program is a pathway for investors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals to obtain long-term residency in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Program Overview:

The Dubai Golden Visa is a special residency scheme introduced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to attract and retain investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and talented individuals.

As a result, it offers long-term residency benefits to eligible individuals and their families based on specific criteria, including investments, professional achievements, or contributions to various sectors of the UAE economy.

The Golden Visa program allows successful applicants to obtain residency permits that are valid for extended periods, ranging from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the eligibility criteria met by the applicant.

Program Benefits:

Long-Term Residency:

Extended Residency: Basically holders of the Golden Visa receive residency permits that are valid for periods ranging from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the eligibility criteria met by the applicant.

Family Residency: Also this visa extends to the applicant’s immediate family, including spouse, children, and sometimes dependents, allowing them to live and thrive in Dubai.

Work Privileges: Golden Visa holders can work, establish businesses, or invest in various sectors of the economy without the need for a local sponsor, fostering entrepreneurship and contributing to economic growth.

Global Mobility:

Visa-Free Travel: The Golden Visa provides easier access to visa-free travel or simplified visa procedures to multiple countries worldwide, enhancing global mobility for business, leisure, or personal purposes.

Lifestyle and Services:

Access to Services: Ultimately, holders and their families gain access to world-class healthcare, education, utilities, and other public services available to residents of the UAE.

Education and Healthcare:

Quality Education: Children of Golden Visa holders can access top-tier educational institutions and benefit from quality education systems in Dubai.

Healthcare Services: Access to high-quality healthcare facilities and services within the UAE, ensuring the well-being and health of the visa holder and their family.

Future Opportunities:

Path to LongTerm Residency: While the Golden Visa itself does not directly lead to citizenship, it can serve as a pathway to long-term residency.

Prestige and Security:

Status and Security: Holding a Golden Visa provides a sense of prestige, stability, and security, aligning with Dubai’s reputation as a global business and lifestyle hub.

Requirements & Eligibility:

Eligibility for the Dubai Golden Visa can be based on various categories, including:

Investors: Individuals who make a substantial financial investment in Dubai’s real estate market, business sector, or other strategic sectors of the economy, meeting specific investment thresholds.
Entrepreneurs: Business owners and entrepreneurs who establish or operate a business in Dubai, contributing significantly to economic growth and job creation.
Skilled Professionals: High-caliber professionals, such as doctors, engineers, scientists, and specialists in various fields, who possess expertise that aligns with the needs of the UAE.
Students: Outstanding students studying in the UAE, showcasing exceptional academic performance and potential.
Artists and Creatives: Renowned artists, innovators, and individuals with exceptional talents contributing to the cultural landscape of the UAE.

Investment Options:

Requirements for the Golden visa depend on the type of residence, whether investor, talent, entrepreneur, etc.

Investors in public investments:

If you invest in an investment fund, you may be granted a Golden Visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, but you must:

submission of a letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that the investor has a deposit of AED two million, or
submission of a valid commercial licence or industrial licence and a memorandum of association stating that the investor’s capital is not less than AED two million
submission of a letter from Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the government no less than AED 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) annually.
Additionally, you must:
own the invested capital completely; it must not be a loan and
provide proof of medical insurance for himself and his family (if any).

Real estate investors:

If you own a property or a group of properties, you may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 5 years, renewable on the same conditions and without a sponsor subject to the:

provision of a letter from the land department of the respective emirate stating that he owns one or more properties whose value is not less than 2 million dirhams

purchase of a property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.

Family Inclusion:

The Dubai Golden Visa program extends beyond the primary applicant, allowing the inclusion of immediate family members, including spouse, children, and sometimes dependents, under the same residency permit.

This family inclusion aspect of the Golden Visa is one of its notable advantages, providing a comprehensive solution for families seeking to reside, work, and thrive in Dubai.

Family Inclusion Criteria:

Spouse:

The spouse of the primary applicant (holder of the Golden Visa) is eligible for inclusion in the visa, enabling them to live and work in Dubai without the need for separate sponsorship.

Children:

Dependent children, typically under a certain age limit specified by the program guidelines, can be included in the Golden Visa. This includes biological children, adopted children, or stepchildren.

The benefits of Dubai Golden Visa.

The Dubai Golden Visa is designed to attract and retain talented individuals, investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals, offering them an enhanced quality of life, diverse opportunities, and a supportive environment to thrive and contribute to the growth and development of Dubai and the UAE.

Flexible Investments

Dubai Golden Visa program provides flexible investment opportunities to investors – more specifically relating to Real Estate purchase. Whilst the investment is 2 million AED, you must have at least $274,000 in equity and the rest can be financed at 0% over 3/4 years.

Visa free travel in Schengen Zone

The Golden Visa provides easier access to visa-free travel or simplified visa procedures to multiple countries worldwide, enhancing global mobility for business, leisure, or personal purposes.

Family
Reunification

Low minimum stay requirements

As UAE tax residents, investors benefit from a favourable tax system, which includes no capital gains, inheritance or income tax.

As a result, Golden Visa holders can maximise their wealth potential by optimising their tax situation without living in the country full time.

FAQ's

How long is the residence permit valid for?

Unlike other UAE immigration visas, which are usually valid for only 2-3 years, the UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year visa.

What exactly are the requirements?

In short, to meet the eligibility criteria, applicants must:

Be in good health
Have enough funds to make the investment

What addtional benefits are there?

There are a lot of advantages to the UAE Golden Visa, which include:

Discounts and offers on cars, property, health care, hospitality, health insurance, and banking services.

Discounts on selected properties from specific developers.

Real estate golden visa investors receive reduced mortgage fixed-interest rates.

Reduced premiums on annual health insurance plans for families and individuals.

Special offers for dining, spa treatments, gyms, and stays at selected hospitality destinations in Abu Dhabi

Does it lead to Citizenship?

The UAE Golden Visa grants long-term residency to foreign investors, not citizenship directly.

However, certain Golden Visa holders may be eligible to apply for citizenship if they have provided exceptional services to the country. Citizenship is granted on a case-by-case basis by the UAE government.

Who can be included on my application?

The principal investor can include others on the application. Those eligible are:

Spouse
Children up to the age of 25
Parents
Unlimited number of domestic helpers

If I already own a property in Dubai - can I apply for the Golden Visa?

You will be eligible for the Golden Visa if the total value of the property is not less than AED 2 million and not be subject to any mortgage.