Golden Visa Dubai - Requirements, How to Apply, Track & Benefits

What is the UAE’s Golden visa?

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit that allows entrepreneurs, investors, skilled professionals, and other eligible individuals to live in Dubai. While on the Golden Visa, individuals can work, study, run a business, and engage in other approved activities without a sponsor. You can also sponsor your family members to stay in Dubai. 

This UAE visa type aims to boost the country's economy by attracting skilled talent and investors. The Dubai Golden Visa holders can stay in the country for 5 or 10 years without renewing the permit. 

Who can apply for the Dubai Golden Visa?

The Dubai Golden Visa is available to investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and more. Here's a quick overview of the other people eligible for this Dubai visa:

Investors

If you invest in real estate or business or have public investments within the UAE, you are eligible for the Golden Visa. This option is available whether you are making a direct investment or owning shares in a company. You must also meet the investment threshold of about AED two million (around $545,000) to qualify for this Dubai Golden Visa as an investor. 

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs with thriving businesses or startups with innovative ideas and funding can apply for the Golden Visa in Dubai. The company must also be worth at least 500,000 dirhams (around $136,000) and backed by a UAE incubator.

Skilled professionals

Skilled professionals such as doctors, scientists, engineers, IT specialists, teachers, and others with a proven track record and a good salary can apply for the UAE Golden Visa.

Outstanding students

Students who have achieved exceptional academic records at the secondary or university level are also eligible. The institution must be highly rated globally. For universities, it must be A-rated or B-rated or amongst the top 100 ratings globally. 

Outstanding specialised talent

Outstanding talents in the creative and arts industry, researchers, and inventors can also apply for a golden visa in the UAE.

Frontline heroes

Nurses, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and others who displayed exceptional efforts during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for the visa. 

Pioneers of humanitarian work

Members or employees of organizations pioneering humanitarian work might also be eligible for the Golden Visa.

Validity of Golden Visa

The Golden visa is valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on your eligibility. Moreover, you can renew the visa when it expires, provided you still meet the requirements.

Note: If you don’t fall under the eligible categories, explore other Dubai residence permit options, such as the UAE work visas and green visas.

Dubai Golden Visa requirements (2025 updated)

The UAE Golden Visa requirements for individuals depend on the category to which you belong. For some categories, like the investor's option, the general requirement is some financial commitment to investment, property, or business value. Here’s a breakdown of the requirements across different categories

General eligibility criteria for the Golden Visa Dubai

Everyone applying for the Golden visa must have 

• A clean criminal record
• Financially stability
• A valid passport
• Medical Fitness
• Proof of eligibility 
• Health insurance
• No outstanding debts 

Note: Meeting the general eligibility requirements doesn’t guarantee approval. You must also meet the category requirement, apply, and complete all relevant steps. 

Golden Visa requirements for different categories

For investors

If you are investing directly or buying properties in the UAE, you might be eligible for a long-term residence permit under these categories

Public investments - 10 years residency

• A letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that you have a deposit of AED two million (around $545,000) or
• A valid commercial or industrial licence and a memorandum of association stating that your capital is not less than AED two million.
• A letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that you’ll pay the government no less than AED 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) annually.

Real estate investment - 5 years residency

• A letter from the land department of the respective emirate stating that you own one or more properties with a value of not less than 2 million dirhams.
• Purchase a property with a loan from a specific local bank approved by the competent local entity.

For entrepreneurs 

Entrepreneurs are eligible for a 5-year validity period for the Golden visas if they meet the following requirements. 

• Own a technical or future economic project based on risk & innovation. 
• Have an approval letter from an auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than 500,000 dirhams.
• Have an approval letter from the authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature
• Provide a letter from an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.

Recommended Reading 

Types of UAE Business Licenses and How to Get Them

For outstanding talents

You might be eligible for 10-year Golden Visa benefits if you have an outstanding talent. Here are the requirements 

Doctors and scientists 

• An approval Letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE to practice the profession of medicine (for doctors)
• A letter of recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or
• A letter from the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence stating that the applicant has been awarded the Medal of Scientific Excellence (for scientists).

Inventors

• a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy stating that your patent has added value to the country's economy

Creative people in the fields of culture and art

• An approval letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the respective emirate is required.

Executive Directors

• Hold a university degree, not less than a bachelor's degree, accredited by the Ministry of Education
• Minimum of 5 years of experience
• A salary of at least AED 50,000
• A valid work contract. 

Athletes

• A recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils

Specialists in engineering and science

• A copy of a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree certified by the Ministry of Education
• A work contract.

For outstanding students

Outstanding high school and university students within or outside the UAE might be eligible for a 5 or 10-year Golden visa option. Here are the requirements: 

High school students 

• National-level topper (with a minimum grade of 95 % in public or private secondary school)
• Submission of a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education (Emirates Schools Establishment).

The duration can be extended beyond 5 years if the student is enrolled in one of the majors/colleges in the country that require a longer study period.

University students

Outstanding university students can get the 10-year Gold Visa option if they meet the following requirements;

• In a UAE university rated A or B class by the Ministry of Education 
• Have a cumulative GPA not less than 3.5 for A-class and 3.8 for B-class universities 
• It's less than 2 years since you graduated 

Students in foreign universities

• Studying in a school rated among the best 100 globally and recognised by the Ministry of Education 
• Cumulative GPA not less than 3.5
• Not more than 2 years since graduation 
• The Ministry of Education accredits your graduation certificate. 

Frontline heroes

Frontline heroes who displayed extraordinary effort in crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may be eligible if they 

• Provide a recommendation from a competent authority. 
• Nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and other cadres are approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.

Pioneers of humanitarian work

If you are a pioneer of humanitarian work, you may get a Golden visa for 10 years. Here are the requirements 

• You are an outstanding member and employee who has worked for international and regional organisations for at least five years.
• You are an outstanding member and employee who has worked for civil associations and public interest institutions for at least five years.
• You have received an appreciation award from a local, regional or international organisation focusing on humanitarian work.
• You fund humanitarian work with more than 2 million dirhams (around $545,000) or its equivalent.

Documents required for a UAE Golden visa application

If you apply for the Golden visa in Dubai, you must provide your identity and educational, professional, and business documents, depending on the category. Here’s an overview of the documents you need

Identity documents

• Passport 
• A personal photo
• Emirates ID (if you are living in the UAE)
• Birth certificate 
• Marriage certificate - if applying with a spouse 
• Current residence permit - if you are already in the UAE

Educational & professional documents 

• Academic degrees
• Transcript
• Employment proof
• Professional license 
• Equivalency certificate 
• Salary certificate 
• Certificate of achievement 

Business & investment document 

• Tax document 
• Business registration 
• Financial statement
• Property ownership 
• Business License
• Investment documents 
• Availability of an e-Certificate of Title / Title deed

Other Documents

• Recommendation letters
• Awards or recognition certificates
• Health insurance coverage

Recommended Reading 

How to Convert Your Foreign Driving Licence in the UAE: A Complete Guide

Language translation and certification

All documents used to apply for the Golden Visa must be in Arabic. If the documents are in another language, they must be professionally translated and certified before submission. This means using an authorised translator or a company offering certified translation services in Dubai. This document translation service is important for official documents as it ensures accuracy, authenticity and acceptance by authorities.

Documents attestation to apply for the Golden Visa Dubai

When applying for a Golden visa in the UAE, several documents need to be attested. This includes educational certificates, personal documents like passports and birth certificates, and financial documents like bank statements and business licences. Specifically, for academic qualifications, you'll need to get your degree certificate and transcripts attested by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in your home country and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Recommended Reading 

Language Barriers in the UAE: Tips for Finding the Right Translation Services for Your Needs   

Document checklist (including translations)

Dubai Golden Visa benefits

Getting your Golden visa approved in the UAE offers many opportunities and benefits. Some include 

Long-term residency (5–10 years)

Depending on your category, you can live, study, work, and conduct business in the UAE for 5 to 10 years. Dubai has a growing economy with many opportunities for business, investment, and other activities. The residency permit allows you to access these opportunities, build a solid foundation, and worry less about yearly renewals. 

Sponsor-free family residency

As part of the Dubai Golden Visa benefits, you can bring your spouse, family, and household staff to Dubai without a separate sponsor application. This means your dependents can live, work, and study in the UAE without arranging their visas. There are also no age limits on the dependents you can sponsor. The visa will give you and your family flexible immigration if you meet the requirements.

Business and tax incentives

The UAE offers different business and tax incentives to attract individuals to the country. For example, there is a tax-free zone regime where businesses within those areas can receive 0% CT rates. Additionally, you can access small business tax relief, business restructuring relief, and foreign tax credit. These incentives create opportunities for businesses to thrive and grow regardless of their size and income without extreme government tax policies. 

Stay abroad without losing residency

Ideally, an immigrant on any other UAE visa cannot stay overseas for more than 6 months. However, the Golden visa allows you to stay abroad for more than 6 months without losing your visa status. This is great for business owners and entrepreneurs who have to travel to other countries for official activities. 

Access to UAE healthcare and education

Dubai has high-quality healthcare and education facilities with free options for nationals. Immigrants can also enjoy subsidised services, which is great. Holding the golden visa and staying in the UAE ensures access to these healthcare and educational services. 

Recommended Reading 

SME and Startup Ecosystem in the UAE: Support and Resources

How much does the Dubai Golden Visa cost?

Applying for the Dubai Golden Visa costs about AED 2000 to AED 5000. The cost covers application fees and extra payments like Emirates ID, medical examination, and document translation services.  

Here’s the breakdown of the initial fees

• Residence permit fee: AED 1100
• Extra charge :
• Knowledge dirham: AED10
• Innovation dirham: AED10
• Fee inside the country: AED500
• Delivery: AED20

Note: The issuance fee increases by AED100 annually whenever the residency is over two years.

Additional charges (ID, medical exam, insurance)

Besides the initial Dubai Golden visa cost, you also have to consider 

• Medical examination - AED 700 to AED 1000
• Emirates ID 
• Criminal record certificate
• Health insurance fees

Document translation costs

The document translation rates when applying for a UAE Golden Visa range from $100 - $500, depending on the documentyou submit. For example, a birth certificate translation from Spanish to English can cost $20 - $100, depending on the language pair. Students seeking the visa must provide an academic transcript, while business owners and investors must provide more documents to support their application. This will affect the total cost of translation.

You should request a quote from an authorised certified translation company for an accurate estimate.

Recommended Reading 

How to Legalise Documents Issued in the UAE/Dubai

How to apply for a Golden Visa in Dubai

You can apply for the Dubai Golden Visa through the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship (ICP) website or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). For GDRFA, you can apply online or in person at any office closest to you. 

Here are the steps:

Confirm eligibility 

You should confirm your eligibility before applying for a long-term residency visa in the UAE. If eligible, you can proceed; otherwise,  you will have to check other UAE visa options.

Request for nomination 

You must apply for nomination if you are eligible but haven't been nominated. Visit the ICP website, select a new nomination request, fill in the information, and wait for an invitation. 

Let's see the steps to follow. 

Apply through ICP (Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship) 

• Visit the ICP Smart Service website
• Select the visa category 
• Click “Start services.”
• Enter information and attach documents 
• Review the information 
• Pay Golden Visa application fees
• Submit and wait for feedback 

You can also apply through the UAE ICP app, which is available on Google Play, Apple Store, and AppGallery. 

Apply via GDRFA Dubai (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs)

• Visit the GDRFA Dubai website
• Click “Browse more services.”
• Click “Residency services." 
• Select " Golden Residency”
• Select the category and follow the application steps

You can also apply offline by visiting any GDRFA near you. The officials will walk you through the steps.

Application via the Dubai Land Department 

The Dubai Land Department application is for real estate investors. Here are the steps to follow 

• Visit a service centre
• Submit the service requirements and pay the fees
• Perform a medical examination at the centre
• Receive the residence permit via e-mail

How to apply for a Golden Visa from outside the UAE?

If you apply for a UAE visa outside Dubai, you must obtain a 6-month multi-entry visa first. This visa allows you to enter the UAE and begin your long-term residency application process. Here are the steps

• Visit the ICP Smart Service website 
• Click “Golden Services”
• Select "Outside UAE”
• Click "Start Services.”
• Enter all the information and attach documents 
• Wait for processing and approval 

Once approved, you can enter the UAE to complete your application process for the Golden Visa. Document attestation is important for all documents needed for the process. Visit the Ministry of Affairs or relevant authorities in your country to get an attestation and avoid any delays with your application.

Recommended Reading 

How to Get Married in the UAE as a Foreigner or Expat

The ‘One Touch’ Golden Visa service

The one-touch Golden Visa service simplifies the application and renewal process for applicants within and outside the UAE. It assists applicants with

• The application for a Golden Visa 
• Issuance or other visas 
• Regularisation of status
• Issuance of residency and identity documents
• Renewing all of these in one step.

You can access this service through the ICP website or the ICP app. 

How to track your Dubai Golden Visa application

Once your application is submitted, you can track the progress through different platforms like the ICP website. Here are the steps

Tracking via ICP website

If you applied for a visa to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

• Visit the ICP website 
• Click Public services 
• Select “Application tracking." 
• Enter " Request number.”
• Wait for updates

Through GDRFA

If you applied for a Dubai visa or through Amer centres in Dubai

• Visit the GDRFA website
• Click “Check Visa status." 
• Enter the relevant information and click “search."

Follow-ups and resubmissions, if needed

If your application is delayed or more information is required, you will be notified to resubmit documents. This is often the case if some documents are eligible for more information to verify claims. If this happens, you should follow the prompts and complete all the steps accurately.

Processing time for the UAE Golden visa 

The UAE Golden visa processing time varies from 1 to 3 months, depending on the category and where you apply. Applications from within the UAE can take less time to process than those from outside. Here's a breakdown of the processing time

• Initial processing time takes 1 to 3 days
• Final visa issuance can take 1 - 3 months 

Factors like document issues and visa categories can also affect the processing time.

Why use Translayte for UAE Golden visa document translations?

Translayte offers certified translation services for immigration and official and legal processes for various documents. With a 4.6-star rating from over 8000 customers, here are some reasons why you should choose us for your document translation services

Official translations accepted by UAE embassies and immigration offices

Translayte provides certified translations accepted by UAE embassies, ICP, GDRFA, immigration offices, and courts. We work with authorised, certified translators with experience in translating documents for uae visa accurately. This ensures that all translated documents meet the requirements and have a 100% acceptance rate. 

Fast turnaround with same-day options

You can enjoy fast translation services at Translayte when you are on a tight deadline. We guarantee a 12–24 hours delivery timeline without compromising on quality. 

150+ language pairs and professional translators

Whether you want a translation from Spanish to Arabic, French to Arabic or any language, Translayte can deliver. We support over 150 languages and have a network of native language translators to ensure accuracy. 

Transparent pricing

Document translation cost starts from $0.10 per word and $25 per page, with different tiers to choose from. If you aren't sure, you can also request a quote to get accurate pricing.

Conclusion

The Golden Visa Dubai offers a unique opportunity for expats, exceptional students, investors, and entrepreneurs to enjoy long-term residency benefits. You can also sponsor your family and domestic staff without limitations. The process is often seamless, and you can apply online or in person, depending on your availability. 

Ready to apply for your Golden Visa in Dubai? Request a quote to translate your documents fast, with certified service accepted by UAE authorities.