UAE Golden Visa — Complete Guide
UAE Golden Visa grants long-term residency to qualified investors, professionals and talents. Pick your route below or run a quick eligibility check.
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit — usually 5 or 10 years — that you sponsor yourself. It removes the need for a local employer or national sponsor, lets you sponsor your family, and can be renewed as long as you still meet your route's conditions. Below are all the ways to qualify in 2026, what each costs, and exactly how to apply.
Golden Visa routes at a glance
| Route | Main requirement | Term | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property investor | Real estate worth AED 2M+ (mortgage allowed) | Up to 10 years | Home buyers & property owners |
| Skilled professional | Salary AED 30,000+/month, valid contract & degree | Up to 10 years | Employees & specialists |
| Investor / company owner | Qualifying capital or approved investment | Up to 10 years | Business investors |
| Entrepreneur | Approved project of economic or technical value | Up to 10 years | Startup & SME founders |
| Exceptional talent | Federal nomination / endorsement | Up to 10 years | Artists, athletes, scientists, experts |
| Outstanding student / graduate | Top grades or a ranked university | 5–10 years | Students & new graduates |
| Family member | Sponsored by a Golden Visa holder | Matches sponsor | Spouse, children & parents |
Requirements and thresholds are set by the UAE government (ICP and GDRFA) and can change — always confirm the current rules for your route before applying.
How much does the Golden Visa cost?
Exact fees depend on your route and emirate, but the core steps are similar for everyone:
- Self-nomination — apply for yourself through ICP
- Visa issuance, medical test & Emirates ID — together roughly AED 3,000–5,000.
- Nomination / endorsement fees — apply to talent, student and some investor routes.
- Service-centre or typing charges — optional, if you use an agent instead of applying yourself.
- Medical insurance — required for residency and renewals.
See the full breakdown on our costs & timeline page, or the 10-year Golden Visa cost guide.
How to apply — 5 steps
- Confirm your route and eligibility — run the free eligibility check.
- Gather your documents — passport, photo, and proof for your route (see the documents checklist).
- Submit the application — via the federal ICP app/website, or Dubai's GDRFA (step-by-step guide).
- Medical test & biometrics — complete the medical test and Emirates ID capture.
- Receive your visa — then sponsor your family if you wish.
Key benefits
- Long-term residency of 5 or 10 years, renewable.
- Self-sponsored — no employer or national sponsor needed.
- Sponsor your spouse, children and parents.
- Stay longer outside the UAE without losing residency.
- Supports 100% business ownership and easier banking and services.
There are trade-offs too — evidence requirements, insurance and renewal costs, and keeping your route's conditions. See the honest disadvantages page before you decide.
UAE Golden Visa — FAQs
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit (usually 5 or 10 years) that lets qualified investors, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, talented individuals and outstanding students live in the UAE, sponsor their family, and renew without needing a local employer or national sponsor.
Who is eligible for the UAE Golden Visa in 2026?
The main routes are: property owners with real estate worth AED 2 million or more; skilled professionals earning at least AED 30,000 a month with a valid contract and degree; investors and company owners; entrepreneurs with an approved project; people of exceptional talent in science, art, sport or culture; and outstanding students and graduates.
How long is the UAE Golden Visa valid?
Most categories are granted for 10 years and some (such as certain students) for 5 years. It is renewable for as long as you continue to meet the conditions of your route.
How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost?
The core government steps — visa issuance, medical test and Emirates ID — usually total roughly AED 3,000 to AED 5,000, plus any nomination or service-centre charges depending on your route. See the costs page for a full breakdown.
Can I sponsor my family on a Golden Visa?
Yes. A Golden Visa holder can sponsor a spouse and children, and in many cases parents and domestic staff, for the same period as the main visa.
Do I need a job or a sponsor for the Golden Visa?
No. The Golden Visa is self-sponsored, so you do not need a UAE employer or a national sponsor. You can also spend longer outside the UAE than a standard residence visa allows without losing your residency.
How long does it take to get a Golden Visa?
Once your documents are ready, approval commonly takes from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the route, the emirate, and how quickly the medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID steps are completed.