Golden Visa Services

For eligible investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, exceptional talents, and other qualifying applicants, the UAE Golden Visa provides long-term residency without the need for a local sponsor.

Depending on the qualifying category, Golden Residency can be granted for five or ten years and may be renewed when the applicable conditions continue to be met. It also allows eligible residents to live, work, study, and invest in the UAE while supporting long-term family stability.

At Eighty20 Business and Financial Solutions, we help individuals and families understand the correct Golden Visa route for their profile, prepare the required documentation, and manage the application process in a structured and transparent way.

What Is the UAE Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa UAE, officially referred to as Golden Residency, is a long-term residence programme designed for qualifying individuals who contribute through investment, entrepreneurship, specialised expertise, academic excellence, humanitarian work, or other recognised achievements.

Unlike standard employer-sponsored residence arrangements, Golden Residency allows eligible applicants to obtain long-term residence without requiring a sponsor.

The programme is designed to support:

• Investors
• Real estate investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Doctors
• Scientists
• Inventors
• Creative professionals
• Executive directors
• Athletes
• PhD holders
• Specialists in priority scientific and engineering fields
• Outstanding students
• Humanitarian pioneers
• Frontline heroes

Each category has its own eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.

What Are the Main Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa?

Depending on the qualifying category, the programme provides long-term residency, and the 10 year residence visa UAE route is available to certain eligible investors, exceptional talents, specialised professionals and other qualifying applicants.

Key benefits include:

• Long-term residence without the need for a sponsor
• Ability to sponsor eligible spouse and children
• Freedom to live, work, study and invest
• Greater long-term stability for families
• A renewable residence framework when eligibility conditions continue to be satisfied
• Easier long-term planning for business, career and property interests

The current Golden Residency framework specifically recognises long-term residence, family sponsorship and the ability to live, work, study and invest in the UAE.

Who Can Apply for a UAE Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa UAE requirements depend on the category under which the applicant qualifies. Eligibility may be based on investment, property ownership, entrepreneurship, professional expertise, academic excellence or other recognised achievements.

Golden Visa for Public Investment Investors

Investors in qualifying public investments may be eligible for a 10-year Golden Residency.

The current ICP guidance requires a qualifying investment of at least AED 2 million.

Supporting evidence may include:

• A letter from an accredited investment fund confirming a deposit of at least AED 2 million
• A valid commercial or industrial licence together with company incorporation documents showing qualifying capital
• A Federal Tax Authority letter confirming that the owner or partner pays annual tax of at least AED 250,000

The exact qualification route depends on the nature of the investment.

Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors

The Golden Visa Dubai property investment route is available to qualifying real estate investors who meet the applicable property ownership criteria.

Under the current ICP Golden Residency guide, the real estate investor category carries a five-year residency duration and requires real estate ownership valued at at least AED 2 million.

Required evidence may include:

• A letter from the relevant Land Registration Department
• Confirmation of ownership of one or more qualifying properties
• Property value of at least AED 2 million
• Proof of residence within the UAE

The current ICP guide specifically states that the property documentation should confirm qualifying ownership and refers to property ownership without loans for this route.

Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs with innovative, technology-based, or future-oriented projects may qualify for Golden Residency.

The current Golden Residency guide identifies the entrepreneur category as a five-year residency route.

Typical qualifying documentation includes:

• A letter from an accredited auditor confirming that the project value is at least AED 500,000
• A letter from the relevant authority or an accredited business incubator confirming the innovative, technology-based, or future-oriented nature of the project
• A valid passport
• Proof of UAE residence

This route is designed for founders and entrepreneurs whose business activity demonstrates innovation or future-focused economic value.

Golden Visa for Exceptional Talents and Specialised Expertise

The UAE Golden Residency programme also provides a 10-year residency route for recognised exceptional talents and specialised professionals.

Eligible profiles may include:

• Doctors
• Scientists
• Inventors
• Cultural and artistic professionals
• Executive directors
• Athletes
• PhD holders
• Specialists in priority scientific and engineering fields

The eligibility requirements vary significantly by profession.

Doctors

Doctors generally require an accreditation or approval letter from the relevant health authority confirming professional eligibility.

Scientists

Scientists may require a recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or recognised evidence of scientific excellence.

Inventors

Inventors may require a recommendation from the relevant federal authority responsible for the field.

Creative Professionals

Creative professionals in culture and the arts may need an accreditation or recommendation from the relevant cultural authority.

Executive Directors

Executive directors may need to provide:

• A certified university degree
• At least five years of relevant experience
• An employment contract
• A salary certificate showing a monthly salary of at least AED 50,000

Athletes

Athletes may require a recommendation from the relevant sports authority or sports council.

Specialists in Priority Scientific and Engineering Fields

Applicants may need an accredited university degree or PhD, an employment contract, and other professional evidence depending on the specialisation.

Golden Visa for Outstanding Students

Outstanding students can also qualify for Golden Residency.

The current ICP framework provides:

Student Category	Residency Duration
Outstanding high school students	5 years
Outstanding university students	10 years

For high school students, current guidance refers to academic excellence of at least 95% together with the relevant recommendation.

For university students, current guidance refers to a cumulative GPA of at least 3.8 from an accredited university, together with the relevant recommendation or graduation documentation. The graduation date should generally not be more than two years before application under the stated criteria.

Golden Visa for Humanitarian Pioneers and Frontline Heroes

Golden Residency is also available for certain humanitarian contributors and frontline heroes.

This category may provide 10-year residency to qualifying applicants.

Depending on the applicant profile, supporting evidence may include:

• Recognition or appreciation certificates
• Evidence of at least five years of involvement with humanitarian organisations
• At least 500 volunteer hours
• Evidence of significant financial support for humanitarian initiatives
• Passport and health insurance documents

The exact evidence required depends on the specific humanitarian or frontline category.

UAE Golden Visa Categories at a Glance

Category	Typical Residency Duration	Key Qualification
Public Investment Investor	10 years	Qualifying investment of at least AED 2 million
Real Estate Investor	5 years	Qualifying property ownership of at least AED 2 million
Entrepreneur	5 years	Qualifying innovative project generally valued at AED 500,000 or more
Exceptional Talent / Specialist	10 years	Category-specific professional recognition or qualifications
Outstanding High School Student	5 years	Academic excellence and required recommendation
Outstanding University Student	10 years	Qualifying GPA and required academic documentation
Humanitarian Pioneer / Frontline Hero	10 years	Relevant recognised contribution and supporting evidence

Eligibility should always be assessed using the applicant’s exact category rather than relying only on the general Golden Visa name.

Can Golden Visa Holders Sponsor Their Families?

Yes. The current Golden Residency framework allows eligible holders to obtain residence permits for their spouse and children.

Family documentation may therefore form an important part of the application if the main applicant intends to include dependants.

Depending on the case, supporting documents may include:

• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificates
• Passport copies
• Photographs
• Proof of relationship
• Health insurance or other required supporting documents

Document requirements can vary by applicant and authority.

Can You Work Under a UAE Golden Visa?

Golden Residency allows eligible holders to live, work, study, and invest in the UAE.

However, specific employment, professional licensing, or regulatory requirements may still apply depending on the person’s occupation and the nature of the activity.

For example, regulated professionals may still require professional licences or approvals from the appropriate authority.

Can You Start or Own a Business with a Golden Visa?

Golden Residency supports long-term business and investment activity, but the residency itself does not replace the normal legal requirements for establishing or operating a company.

A business owner may still need:

• A valid trade or professional licence
• Company incorporation documentation
• Relevant regulatory approvals
• Corporate bank arrangements
• Tax registration where applicable
• Industry-specific permits

The exact requirements depend on the activity, legal structure, and emirate.

What Documents Are Required for a UAE Golden Visa?

There is no single document list for every applicant.

Documents vary according to category.

Common documents may include:

• Valid passport
• Personal photograph
• Proof of UAE residence where required
• Health insurance where required
• Investment evidence
• Property ownership documents
• Company documents
• Auditor letters
• Recommendation or nomination letters
• Employment contract
• Salary certificate
• Professional qualifications
• Academic certificates
• Experience certificates
• Family relationship documents

The correct document pack should be prepared only after confirming the exact eligibility route.

How Does the UAE Golden Visa Application Process Work?

Our Golden Visa application service UAE helps applicants organise the required documents, select the appropriate residency category and prepare the application according to the relevant government process.

Eligibility Assessment

We first review the applicant’s profile, including investment, profession, qualifications, business activity, property ownership, or academic record.

Category Selection

We identify the Golden Residency category that best matches the applicant’s evidence.

Choosing the correct category is important because each route has different documentary requirements.

Document Review

We review the available supporting documents and identify missing, outdated, or inconsistent information before submission.

Application Preparation

The Golden Residency application is prepared using the appropriate government channel and category.

Government Review

The competent authority reviews the application and supporting evidence.

Additional information or documentation may be requested depending on the case.

Residence Formalities

Following approval, the applicant completes the applicable residence formalities, which may include identity, medical, insurance, or status-related requirements depending on the case.

Family Residency Support

Where required, eligible family members can then be supported through the applicable dependant residence process.

How Long Does a UAE Golden Visa Application Take?

There is no guaranteed universal timeline or fastest way to get Golden Visa UAE for every applicant, because processing depends on the category, document readiness, emirate, government authority, nomination requirements and additional verification.

Processing depends on:

• Golden Visa category
• Applicant profile
• Document readiness
• Whether nomination or recommendation is required
• Emirate
• Government authority
• Additional verification
• Whether the applicant is already inside the UAE

Some individual government service stages may be completed quickly once eligibility is confirmed, and documents are complete. However, the entire journey can take longer if endorsements, professional approvals, or supporting documents are still required.

For this reason, we do not recommend promising a fixed approval period before reviewing the applicant’s case.

How Much Does the UAE Golden Visa Cost?

The Golden Visa cost UAE depends on factors such as:

• Eligibility category
• Government application fees
• Residency issuance fees
• Emirates ID requirements
• Medical requirements where applicable
• Health insurance
• Document attestation or translation
• Nomination or professional approval requirements
• Family applications
• Professional service fees

Investment thresholds should also not be confused with application fees.

For example, the AED 2 million investment requirement for certain investor categories represents an eligibility requirement rather than the government processing fee.

We provide the expected government and professional costs after reviewing the applicant’s category and circumstances.

Why Golden Visa Applications Get Delayed or Rejected

A proper Golden Visa eligibility check UAE can help identify whether the applicant meets the relevant investment, professional, academic or other category-specific requirements before the application is submitted.

Common issues may include:

• Applying under an unsuitable eligibility route
• Missing recommendation or nomination letters
• Investment evidence that does not meet the required criteria
• Incorrect property documentation
• Inconsistent names across documents
• Expired passport or supporting documents
• Unverified educational qualifications
• Missing professional approvals
• Salary or employment evidence that does not meet category requirements

A careful eligibility review before application can reduce avoidable problems.

How Eighty20 Supports Your UAE Golden Visa Application

Our Golden Visa consultants Dubai support applicants with eligibility assessment, category selection, document checklist preparation, supporting evidence review, application preparation and government process coordination.

Our role is to help you understand which route fits your actual circumstances and what evidence is required before the application moves forward.

Our support can include:

• Golden Visa eligibility assessment
• Identification of the appropriate residency category
• Document checklist preparation
• Review of supporting evidence
• Investment and business-document coordination
• Property-document review
• Professional and academic document review
• Application preparation support
• Government process coordination
• Follow-up support
• Family residency guidance

Where a matter requires approval from a government authority, professional regulator, land department, university, business incubator, or another third party, final approval remains with the relevant authority.

Why Choose Professional Golden Visa Support?

A Golden Visa application can involve much more than filling in an online form.

Different applicants may require:

• Investment confirmation
• Auditor certification
• Property verification
• Professional accreditation
• Recommendation letters
• Educational qualification validation
• Salary evidence
• Corporate documentation
• Family records

Professional support helps organise these requirements into one structured application process and reduces the risk of applying under the wrong category.

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