UAE Golden Visa: Criteria, fees & everything you need to know

socialkanduraeditor28 May 20235 Mins read

Earlier this year, the UAE announced an increase in the cost of UAE visas and Emirates ID. And now, authorities have updated the entry permit fees for those applying for the 10-year Golden Visa. The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) on Saturday, 8 April revised the cost of the six-month entry permit. According to a report published in Arabic daily Al Khaleej, the current cost for the six-month entry permit is AED 1,250.

This includes a whole lot of other charges like:

AED 1,000 issuance fee
AED 100 application fee
AED 100 for smart services
AED 28 for electronic services
AED 22 for ICP

The fees to issue Emirates ID and visas in the UAE have gone up by AED 100. The fee increase applies to “all” ICP services. The new fee hike applies to Emirates ID and residency visas. Emirates ID now costs AED 370 instead of AED 270; and the fee to issue a one-month visit visa is AED 370 instead of AED 270. However, there are no changes to the visit visa fee as yet.

Table of Contents

what are the documents required for applying for a golden visa?

All Golden visa applicants applying for the six-month entry permit must also submit a list of other supporting documents. These include:

1. Passport
2. A coloured personal photo
3. Proof of eligibility

Also Read: You Can Now Get A UAE Golden Visa In ‘One Touch’; Here’s How

who can apply for a uAE golden visa?

Golden Visa for scientists

In accordance with the recommendations of the Emirates Scientists Council, this residence is offered to scientists and researchers with high achievement and influence under the following conditions:

A recommendation letter from “Emirates Scientists Council” or a letter from “Rashid Award for Scientific outstanding” that he/she has been awarded the Medal of Scientific outstanding
Copy of the sponsored passport.

Golden Visa for Athletes

Under this category, the Golden Residency Visa for specialised talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge is granted for 10 years without a sponsor and is subject to renewal.

Requirements:
- Applicants need a recommendation letter from the General Authority of Sports in Dubai OR Dubai Sports Council.
- A copy of the sponsored passport.

Golden Visa for Doctors

A wide range of specialisations is available in this field. Veterinary doctors are included in this category. Doctors must have a letter stating their medical practice from the Health Authority or Ministry of Health of their country.

Requirements:
- Applicants would require a copy of their labour card.
- A copy of the labour contract from MOHRE.
- A copy of the sponsored residency

Also Read: 10 Indian Celebrities With A Golden Visa

Golden Visa for Inventors

Requirements:
- Applicant would require a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy.
- A copy of the sponsored passport

Golden Visa for Executive Directors

Under this category, an Executive Director and his family members can be granted

Requirements:
- Executive Directors would require a “NOC” letter from the company that does not mind the golden residency, also mentioned that the service period is not less than 5 years as a general manager – executive director – chairman of the board of directors.
- Attested equivalency certificate of a higher degree from Ministry of Education.
- Salary certificate, which should not be less than AED 50,000 monthly.
- Labor contract with the same profession and salary certificate.
- Bank statement for the last 6 months.

Golden Visa for Specialists in Engineering & Science

This service grants a (Golden Residency Visa) for specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge for a period of (10) years without a sponsor and subject to renewal (granted to applicant and his family member)

Attested degree (bachelor’s degree or higher) or a letter of equivalency for the academic degree from the Ministry of Education (in the case of the certificate from outside the country).
Copy of the sponsored residency.
A work contract in one of the following disciplines: (Epidemiology and Viruses – Artificial Intelligence – Big Data – Computer Engineering – Electronics Engineering – Software Engineering – Electrical Engineering – Genetic Engineering – Biotechnology Engineering).

Golden Visa for Creative Specialist in culture and Art

Requirements:
- Applicants will need a recommendation letter from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
- A copy of the sponsored passport.

Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors

This service allows the real estate investor who owns a property equal valued at AED 2,000,000 or more at the time of purchase to apply for a 10 years renewable residency visa, and the husband or wife and children can be sponsored.

1. Minimum 2 million value property or owned share ( one property or more ) under the applicant name

2. In case the property is mortgage, an Noc letter from the bank to issue a visa on the property and shows the paid and remaining amounts

Golden Visa for entrepreneurs

This service grants (Golden Residency Visa) for a period of (5) years to an entrepreneur who owns an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk & innovation. Further an Approval letter from Dubai Future Foundation must be needed for the same.

Golden Visa for outstanding students

The service grants a golden residency visa for outstanding students for a period of 5 or 10 years and automatically renewed if the same conditions are met.

Requirements:
- High school graduate
  - A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education.
  - Copy of the sponsored residency (Dubai residents only).
  - Copy of the sponsored passport.
- Universities graduate
  - Attested degree (bachelor’s degree or higher) and academic transcript.
  - Copy of the sponsored residency (Dubai residents only).
  - Copy of the sponsored passport.

Golden Visa for Retired Foreigners

Under this category, a retired foreigner can be granted a Golden Residency Visa for 5 years without a sponsor, subject to renewal.

Requirement:
- The applicant would need a bank letter with a deposit value or income of AED15,000 or real estate ownership with a value of one million AED.

Golden Visa for Investors

This service grants (Golden Residency Visa) for a period of (5) or (10) years and automatically renewed if the same conditions are met

Investor in an investment fund (commercial investor)
- Company’s financial report for the previous year (Made by the company’s financial auditor)
- Company’s Trade license and photocopy of the List of Partners’ Names
- Copy of the sponsored residency
- Company’s bank statement (last 3 months)
- Company’s (VAT Return) for the previous year
Investor in an investment fund (deposit)
- A bank letter in Arabic form showcases a “fix deposit”. A note must be mentioned in the letter. (The fixed deposit will not be broken for the next two years, OR in case the fixed deposit was broken for any reason, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai must be notified)
- Copy of the sponsored passport.
- Tenancy contract.
Investor in (Tax Return Investor)
- A letter from the Federal Tax Authority.
- Company’s Trade license and photocopy of the List of Partners’ Names.
- Copy of the sponsored residency.

And, in case you’re still unsure about how you might fit into these categories, click here to find out if you’re eligible.

How can you apply online?

First, go to www.icp.gov.ae and click. on the services option. Then choose e-channels residency and citizenship and you’ll be directed to the ICP smart services page. Scroll down and select the nomination request for Golden residence e-visa- new request option. Click ‘start services’ to begin your application process. The application process has four parts. You’ll have to fill out the required information, attached all the necessary documents, review your application and finally pay the fees.

what is the cost?

The cost for the application varies depending on various factors. If you’re applying from the UAE it will cost between AED 2800 – AED 3800. Those applying from outside the UAE will have to shell out between AED 3800- AED 4800. The process also includes other charges like processing a new Emirates ID and a mandatory medical examination – AED 1000. You will also have to purchase a UAE health insurance.