Golden Visa UAE
UAE Golden Visa: Routes, Costs, and Who Actually Qualifies
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Golden Visa UAE
The most accessible route to a UAE Golden Visa is AED 2 million in UAE residential real estate — you can use a mortgage as long as the property total value meets that threshold, and the visa runs 10 years, covers your spouse and unmarried children of any age, and needs no employer or UAE sponsor. There are other routes too, for business owners and specialists, but property is the one most of our clients actually use.
The property route, in plain terms
You buy UAE residential real estate worth at least AED 2 million. It does not need to be paid in cash — a mortgaged property qualifies, as long as the property full value, not your equity in it, clears the AED 2 million bar. You get a 10-year renewable residence visa, and — this is the part people are often surprised by — you can sponsor your spouse, your children regardless of age as long as they are unmarried, and up to two domestic staff, all on matching 10-year visas. There is no employer involved and no UAE national sponsor required.
Standard processing runs 14 to 21 working days. If you need it faster, an express service exists for a modest additional government fee and can bring that down to 5 to 7 working days.
Other routes
| Route | Typical threshold / criteria | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate investment | AED 2,000,000 in residential property | Mortgage permitted if total property value meets the threshold |
| Business owner / entrepreneur | Existing project or minimum capital/valuation threshold — no single published figure; ICP assesses each case against its own criteria | Assessed case by case against ICP published criteria |
| Public investment | AED 2,000,000 minimum, invested through UAE-approved investment channels | Requires investment through approved channels |
| Specialist talent | Recognition in a specified field — medicine, science, culture and arts, executives, athletics, or a PhD — with supporting documentation; no fixed salary threshold is published | Covers specified professions and high-achieving individuals |
The property route is the one with the clearest, most stable published criteria, which is why it is what we lead with for most clients. If you think you qualify through business ownership or specialist talent instead, tell us on the first call — the documentation is different and we will tell you honestly whether your case is strong before you spend time assembling paperwork.
What you will need to provide & Timeline
- Passport copy, valid for at least six months
- Property title deed or sale and purchase agreement showing the qualifying value (property route)
- Proof of mortgage financing, if applicable, showing the total property value
- Passport-size photo, white background
- Existing UAE visa or entry permit status, if applicable
- For dependents: marriage certificate and birth certificates, attested and translated where required
- Emirates ID application (issued as part of the process if you do not already have one)
Timeline
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Eligibility review and document preparation | 2–5 working days |
| Application submission | Same day, once documents are complete |
| Standard processing | 14–21 working days |
| Express processing (additional fee) | 5–7 working days |
| Emirates ID and visa stamping | Additional 3–5 working days after approval |
What the Golden Visa does and does not give you
It gives you long-term UAE residence without needing an employer sponsor, the ability to sponsor family members directly, and the stability of a 10-year renewable status rather than the 1–3 year visas tied to employment or standard investor categories. It does not, on its own, confer UAE citizenship, and it does not replace the need for a company license if your goal is to run a business here rather than simply reside. If business setup is also part of your plan, look at our mainland or free zone pages — we frequently structure the company and the visa together.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to move on this? WhatsApp us at +971 54 201 9999 or call directly — most first conversations take fifteen minutes and tell you exactly where you stand, with no obligation.
Official Sources & References
- UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP): UAE Golden Visa Property Investment Threshold 2026 — eligibility and requirements
- The Official Portal of the UAE Government: Golden visa guidelines and benefits
Golden Visa criteria are set by the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and are reviewed here quarterly. Business owner, public investment, and talent route thresholds should be confirmed against current ICP guidance before publishing.