GOLDEN VISA SERVICES

1. Valid passport, visa, and Emirates ID card copies
2. UAE labor contract
3. Salary certificate/income confirmation letter
4. Education certificate duly attested and legalized by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
5. Six months of personal bank statements
6. Property title deed (if applicable)
7. Employer reference letter or letter of recommendation highlighting your industry contributions or economic impact in the UAE
8. Copy of your CV or LinkedIn profile
9. Published articles and media coverage showcasing your business or contributions to the UAE economy

• AED 2 million fixed deposit for 2 years; non-breakable in a local bank; bank confirmation letter is required
• If the deposit is withdrawn/encashed, the visa will no longer be available

(risk of auto cancellation confirmed by immigration).

1. All corporate document copies (license, share certificate, etc.)
2. Office lease or Ejari
3. Audited financial statements
4. Audit firm’s license copy
5. Bank statements showing approximately AED 2 to 3 million worth of movement/cash in bank accounts
6. If you hold the position of CEO, you must have been in this position for more than 3 years
7. If you are a company executive, you must have been in this position for more than 5 years.

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF GOLDEN VISA UAE: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

Imagine realizing your entrepreneurial aspirations in a captivating foreign city, blessed with endless sunshine and breathtaking beaches. The best part? This city exempts you from paying taxes. It may sound like a dream, but it’s a reality in the United Arab Emirates. The catch? To enjoy long-term residency, you’ll need a UAE Golden Visa.

UNDERSTANDING THE UAE’S GOLDEN VISA

Prepare to delve into the realm of the prestigious UAE Golden Visa, designed to offer eligible individuals permanent residence with a 10-year visa. Unlike other international visa programs, the UAE’s Golden Visa comes with a range of extraordinary privileges that surpass typical residence visa programs.

Launched in 2019, the renowned Golden Visa program aimed to attract and retain foreign talent, fostering business development and boosting the UAE’s economy. Its success was evident, with 44,000 Dubai residents securing long-term residency through the program by late 2021. Notably, this program played a significant role in the UAE’s resilience during the pandemic, enhancing its global reputation as an attractive destination for living, working, and igniting new businesses.

The Golden Visa program particularly targets aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and talented individuals in various fields. Whether you’re a medical professional, engineer, researcher, or an exceptional university student, you could be eligible for this prestigious program.

BENEFITS OF THE UAE GOLDEN VISA

As its name implies, the Golden Visa program sets the gold standard for long-term residence visas. The UAE government has taken significant measures to ensure this program entices the best individuals worldwide. Besides the year-round sunshine, modern infrastructure, and stunning beaches, here are some key benefits:

1. No Local Sponsor Required: Unlike common residency processes worldwide, Golden Visa holders in the UAE are exempt from obtaining a local sponsor for living, studying, and working in the country. This eliminates the complexities and time-consuming tasks associated with securing a local sponsor, especially for those not affiliated with a local company or lacking personal connections.
2. 100% Business Ownership: One major advantage of the Golden Visa is that visa holders can fully own businesses operating within the UAE. Previously, foreigners starting businesses in the UAE needed to partner with Emirati nationals, who would hold a percentage of the company. The Golden Visa eliminates these logistical barriers for eligible foreign entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors.
3. Inclusion of Family and Associates: Golden Visa holders can add their family members, business partners, or associates to their visa, subject to specific conditions. This streamlines the visa application process for your loved ones and key business connections, sparing you from extensive paperwork and the possibility of family separation.
4. Unrestricted Travel: Golden Visa holders can freely travel to and from the UAE without limitations. Similar to UAE citizens, there are no restrictions on visiting friends and family or conducting overseas business meetings. Your mobility remains unrestricted!

Additional Benefits in Different Emirates

Golden Visa programs across different Emirates offer unique benefits to visa holders and their families in various sectors. These benefits are worth considering when exploring citizenship options:

Dubai: Golden Visa holders in Dubai may enjoy privileges such as the Esaad privilege card, simplified UAE driver’s license tests, and discounted international university fees for exceptional students.

Abu Dhabi: Residents with Golden Visas in Abu Dhabi receive offers and discounts on real estate, health services, hospitality, banking, and more. They can benefit from reduced premiums on health insurance, discounts on cars, and priority booking for new releases.

Eligibility for a UAE Golden Visa

The UAE government has recently expanded the eligibility criteria for the Golden Visa, making it more accessible to individuals worldwide. However, it’s crucial to note that the program aims to foster business development and attract top talent to enhance the economy. The criteria remain specific and tailored to each category.

Abu Dhabi residents holding golden visas are entitled to various offers and discounts on real estate, health services, hospitality, automobiles, insurance, and banking services. These benefits are made possible through the Resident’s Office partnerships with industry stakeholders.

Imkan Properties, a real estate developer, offers discounts on selected properties to golden visa holders in Abu Dhabi, thanks to the commercial partnerships established with the Resident’s Office.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank are among the numerous banks providing golden visa investors in real estate with reduced mortgage interest rates. They also offer attractive interest rates on savings accounts for non-real estate investors.

Golden visa holders in Abu Dhabi receive special deals for gyms, spas, and stays at selected hospitality establishments. Additionally, they can enjoy discounts on cars, priority booking for new releases, special payment options, maintenance offers, and licensing services.

Another significant benefit for golden visa holders in Abu Dhabi is the entitlement to reduced premiums on annual health insurance packages for both families and individuals.

The eligibility criteria for the UAE Golden Visa have recently been expanded to make the program more accessible to people worldwide. However, it’s important to note that the Golden Visa program aims to foster business development and attract individuals who can contribute to the economy and build a skilled workforce. Therefore, the criteria for the Golden Visa remain highly specific, and if you don’t meet the specified conditions or fall into the specified categories, your Golden Visa application is unlikely to be approved.

The following are the major groups eligible to apply for residency in the UAE under the Golden Visa program: investors, owners of specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge, high-level executives, athletes, specialists in engineering and science, creative individuals, artists, inventors, and outstanding students with promising scientific abilities.

Each category has different conditions and criteria that applicants must meet to be successful. The application process for a Golden Visa in the UAE varies depending on the profession and category you are applying under. However, the basic steps include identifying the category, preparing the application form and relevant documentation, submitting the documentation and paying the fees, waiting for the application outcome (which can take up to 30 days), canceling any existing UAE visa if applicable, submitting the Golden Visa application and passport, and receiving the new visa in your passport.

To determine your eligibility for a UAE Golden Visa, you need to review the specific requirements for each professional category. Here are some of the requirements for different categories:

Investors:

• Investor in an investment fund (commercial investor): company audit, license copy, partners’ list, company account statement.
• Investor in an investment fund (deposit): letter from the bank with the deposit, residence photo, rental lease.
• Investor in an investment fund (tax return investor): letter from the Federal Tax Authority, license copy, partners’ list, residence photo.

Owners of specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge:

• Doctors: certificate of practicing a profession, copy of labor card or contract work, residence photo.
• Scientists: recommendation letter from Emirates Scientists Council or Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Academic Excellence, copy of the passport.
• Creative people and people of culture and art: recommendation letter from Culture and Arts Authority, copy of the passport.
• Inventors: recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy, copy of the passport.

High-level executives (General Manager, Executive Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors):

• Company NOC letter, bachelor’s degree or higher, monthly salary certificate, work contract, personal account statement.

Athletes:

• Recommendation letter from sports councils or General Authority for Sports, copy of the passport.

Specialists in the fields of engineering and science must possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher, certified by the Ministry of Education or accompanied by a degree equivalency letter for certificates obtained from outside the country. They should provide a copy of their residence permit and an employment contract in one of the specified specializations, such as Epidemiology Viruses, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Genetic Engineering, or Biotechnology Engineering. The profession applied for should align with the approved major and specialization, which will determine the awarded profession.

Outstanding students with promising scientific abilities, graduating in 2019, 2020, or beyond, should obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Education, ensuring they receive a text message confirmation. They need to provide copies of their residence permit (Emirate of Dubai) and passport. The occupation upon application is not specified, and the awarded profession will be “Outstanding Student.”

University graduates with a GPA of 3.8 or above from approved state universities (Bachelor’s or Master’s) must present a certified university degree and academic transcript. They also need to provide copies of their residence permit (Emirate of Dubai) and passport. The occupation upon application is not specified, and the awarded profession will be “Outstanding Student.”

Are you ready to kickstart your new life with a Golden Visa in the UAE? Take advantage of the yearlong sunshine, luxurious lifestyle, and lucrative business opportunities available in the UAE. With 10-year visa options, obtaining a Golden Visa in the UAE might just be your golden ticket!