Discover how a Golden Visa can transform your lifestyle and opportunities.

1. Long-term residency: With a golden visa, you get to stay in the country for up to 10 years! You are not subjected to any visa renewals during this period. This long-stay option offers entrepreneurs and investors ample time to lay the foundation for their professional and personal development. Compared to a short-term visa, the Golden Visa enhances the overall lifestyle, providing opportunities for career advancement and business growth.

2. Bring family or staff members: Golden visa holders can sponsor their family members until the validity of the visa or the renewed validity. You can bring in your spouse, children, and parents, allowing the family to benefit from the advantages of a long-term visa.

If you are someone who runs a company, you can sponsor staff members in Dubai. Additionally, you can bring in domestic staff such as drivers, maids, and others.

3. Right to Own Property: Real estate is one of the most thriving sectors in the UAE. Golden Visa holders enjoy hassle-free purchasing and management of property. There is a high demand for real estate in the country. It is an arduous process for expatriates to own property, although foreign nationals can own property in designated areas. Long-term visa holders generally benefit from being considered for loans, mortgages, and others. It is smart to invest in property when you have the means to do so.

4. Multiple entry visa: With a golden visa, citizens are allowed to enter and exit the country by applying for a new visa for each trip. This flexibility simplifies travel; you can also travel with family members or domestic staff. Those entrepreneurs who need to frequently travel in and out of the country can take advantage of this privilege offered to golden visa holders.

5. No sponsor is needed. As a golden visa holder, you don’t require a sponsor to be in UAE or to start a business. As an entrepreneur, this is advantageous, as you have full autonomy over your business operations. This significantly simplifies the process of establishing and managing businesses.

6. Esaad privilege card: Those who hold a UAE Golden Visa in Dubai get the exclusive advantage of obtaining an Esaad privilege card. This card gives you special benefits and discounts across various industries. You can save money across various industries such as automotive, real estate, healthcare, hospitality, health insurance, and banking.

7. No employment restrictions: A unique advantage that golden visa holders receive is that they are exempted from employment restrictions that may apply to other visas. They have the freedom and flexibility to change jobs or pursue other ventures without the hassle of obtaining sponsorship or the risk of losing their visas.

8. No personal income tax: UAE’s no tax on personal income policy is one of the major factors that lure investors and entrepreneurs to the country. This policy benefits golden visa holders as well. Residents are exempt from paying tax on income earned from employment, investments, or other means. 

9. Access to premium healthcare and education: The UAE is renowned for its excellent healthcare and education provisions. With a golden visa, you can gain access to the substantial benefits offered by these sectors. The healthcare sector is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, highly qualified professionals, and the newest technology.

UAE golden visa holders have the opportunity to attend international university branches and potentially benefit from discounts, making it cost-effective to access educational facilities. The UAE government is committed to promoting education, and this initiative underscores its importance.

10. Unforeseeable events: In the occurrence of an unfortunate event such as the death of the golden visa holder, the family is permitted to stay in the UAE till the residency of the visa term expires.

You can also read: UAE Golden Visa: Long Term Residence Visa in UAE

The UAE government has set specific guidelines for 2024. Let’s delve into it so you can determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. First, let’s list out the occupancy types that are permitted to apply for the golden visa.

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Exceptional talents
• Scientists
• Top achievers
• Humanitarian workers
• Defense personnel

Let’s look at the above categories in detail:

1. Investors: If you are a real estate investor, you must have purchased a property worth AED 2 million. The new update states that you are only considered eligible for the golden visa if you own the property and do not just hold equity.

As an investor, if you have made public investments of at least AED 2 million in a company or if you are a partner in a company’s capital that is no less than AED 2 million, you’ll be eligible to apply for a golden visa. Additionally, if you have a letter from the Federal Tax Authority that confirms you pay the government AED 250,000 or you’re an active partner in a company that pays AED 250,000 annually, you may be eligible to apply.

2. Entrepreneurs: If you are an entrepreneur seeking to obtain a golden visa, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

• The candidate must be an owner or a partner in a startup registered as a small and medium-sized business (SME).
• The revenue generated must be a minimum of AED 1 million annually.
• The applicant may be an entrepreneur who sold a venture for no less than AED 7 million.
• The entrepreneur must have obtained approval from the official business incubator to launch their business.

3. Exceptional Talents: This category includes people from fields such as cultures, media and art, sports, and digital technology. These applicants may be eligible for a golden visa. There is no minimum requirement or criteria to be met, such as educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary, or professional-level experience.

4. Scientists: Those scientists with a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council for their achievements and influence in the field can apply for a golden visa. Applicants should have a PhD or a Master’s degree in the following fields: engineering, technology, life sciences, and natural sciences.

Scientists or experts who retain positions such as president or CEO or are management professionals may apply for the golden visa, provided their skill or professional level is recognized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization.

5. Top achievers: Students or graduates who have outstanding academic accomplishments at the graduate or secondary school level may be eligible to apply for a golden visa. There are many criteria to be fulfilled to qualify for the visa, such as academic performance/cumulative grade average, year of graduation, and university classification.

Students from global universities also have the opportunity to apply for the golden visa. They must have no less than a 3.5 GPA. If you’re a student who’s affiliated with a university with UAE accreditation, obtain a letter stating your GPA is 3.8 or above.

Higher secondary school students may also be eligible for the visa if they have obtained an average rate of at least 95 percent.

6. Humanitarian workers: As humanitarian workers, you may be eligible for a golden visa under different conditions. Let’s learn more about those conditions and see if your humanitarian work falls under the category:

• Worked in international and regional organizations for a minimum of five years.
• A member or outstanding employee of a civil association or institution of public interest for a minimum of five years.
• Have received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international organization that specializes in humanitarian work.
• An outstanding humanitarian volunteer with at least five years of service or at least 500 hours of service.
• Provided funding of at least AED 2 million for humanitarian work.
• Have received a nomination from a minister as a pioneer of humanitarian work.
• Hold a relevant university degree and have completed other requirements imposed by a ministry or authority.

7. Frontline workers: Those healthcare workers or service providers who have worked during crisis periods, for example, the COVID-19 era, may be eligible to apply for a golden visa.

The Golden Visa is your golden key to unlocking the plethora of opportunities in Dubai. Leverage the pathway to success. If you are looking for the right consultant to help you navigate the complexities of a golden visa, look no further. Kiltons Business Setup Services will guide you through the process and complete all regulatory formalities so you may enjoy a lifetime of wellness and prosperity.