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UAE long-term residence

UAE Golden Visa

Obtain 10-year renewable residence through property, business or professional talent — no local sponsor, and your family can live in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Reviewed by Fergus Wu · Updated October 2026

Programme overview

The UAE Golden Visa is a renewable 10-year residence that needs no local employer or sponsor. The most common route is property: owning property in the UAE worth at least AED 2,000,000 in total, which can be spread across several properties, with mortgaged and off-plan property counting under certain conditions. There are also entrepreneur and professional talent routes. Holders generally do not need to spend a set number of days a year in the UAE to keep their residence, and can sponsor their families.

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InvestmentFrom AED 2,000,000
Residence10 years, renewable
Minimum stayGenerally none
FamilySpouse, children and parents

Summary

The property route requires property in the UAE worth at least AED 2,000,000 in total, which can combine several properties; the value is generally the purchase price registered on the title deed, not the current market value. Mortgaged or off-plan property must reach AED 2,000,000 in total, with a no-objection certificate from the bank or developer. Entrepreneurs can apply with SME revenue from AED 1,000,000, or an innovative project from AED 500,000. Dubai also has a separate two-year property investor visa, which is a different residence from the 10-year Golden Visa.

Key benefits of UAE Golden Visa

  • 10 years, renewableThe Golden Visa is valid for ten years and can be renewed as long as you still meet the conditions.
  • No employer or sponsorYou sponsor yourself as an investor, with no need for a local employer or sponsor.
  • Keep residence while abroadHolders are exempt from the rule that voids ordinary residence after 180 days outside the UAE, making it a good back-up status.
  • No age limit for childrenYou can sponsor your spouse and children — officially regardless of the children's age — as well as your parents.
  • Sponsor domestic staffHolders can employ and sponsor domestic workers in line with UAE rules.
  • Family protected if you dieIf the main holder dies, family members can stay until their residence permits expire.
  • Combine properties; mortgages and off-plan countAED 2,000,000 in total across one or more properties; bank-financed and approved off-plan purchases can count.
  • No personal income taxThe UAE levies no personal income tax; individuals' salaries, personal investments and personal property income are generally outside corporate tax.
  • Live, work, study and investHolders and their families can live, work, study and invest in the UAE with resident benefits.

Why Global Immigrate for UAE Golden Visa

renewable residence
10 years
property investment threshold
AED 2,000,000
families helped by Global Immigrate across all programmes
500+

Carefully selected qualifying assets

We shortlist properties, funds and investments against the official rules and our own criteria, so they qualify and also make sense as investments.

GI Group overseas property team

GI Group’s overseas property team helps you find, negotiate and buy — and later manage lettings.

Clear, transparent fees

All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.

Planning beyond immigration

GI Group’s teams can handle pre-immigration tax, asset allocation, your children’s education and overseas property at the same time, so the arrangements never conflict.

Requirements

Investment options

Choose one of the following options; the other requirements are listed below.

  1. EntrepreneurFrom AED 1,000,000SME revenue
    • Or an innovation project from AED 500,000
  2. Option 2AED 2,000,000Property
    • Several properties can be combined
    • Held in your personal name
    • Mortgaged, instalment or off-plan property needs a no-objection certificate from the bank or developer
  3. Option 3AED 2,000,000Deposit or investment fund
  4. Option 4AED 2,000,000Company capital
    • Or AED 250,000 in tax a year
  5. ProfessionalsNo investmentBasic salary from AED 30,000 a month

Applicants generally need to meet the following:

  • A valid passport, health insurance and a medical examination
  • No criminal record

Our three guarantees

Full service-fee refund if refused

Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.

No extra charge for further documents or resubmission

If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.

Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing

Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.

Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.

The main Golden Visa routes

RouteMain requirement
Property investorProperty from AED 2,000,000 in total; several properties can be combined
Deposit or investment fundAED 2,000,000 in an approved UAE investment fund or local bank (own funds)
Company capital or taxCompany capital of AED 2,000,000, or a shareholder in a company paying AED 250,000 tax a year
EntrepreneurSME revenue from AED 1,000,000, or an innovative project from AED 500,000
Professional talentBy profession and monthly salary

In 2026 Dubai removed the minimum property value for sole owners under its two-year property investor visa, but that is a two-year residence, distinct from the 10-year Golden Visa. Subject to the latest announcements of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security.

Free UAE Golden Visa brochure

Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.

Application process

  1. Assessment and choice of route2–6 weeksWe confirm the right route, shortlist qualifying property or businesses, and verify how the property value will be counted.
  2. Purchase and registrationDepends on the transactionComplete the purchase and register with the land department; mortgaged or off-plan property needs a no-objection certificate.
  3. Golden Visa applicationDepends on processingSubmit the application and complete the medical and biometrics.
  4. Residence and family applicationsAfter approvalCollect your residence and Emirates ID, and apply for your spouse and children.

Pathway to PR and citizenship

  1. Golden VisaUsually about 2–3 weeks once documents are complete

    Renewable 10-year residence for you, your spouse, children and parents, and you can sponsor family and domestic staff. The Golden Visa generally does not lead to UAE nationality.

    While on this statusResidence stays valid even if you are outside the UAE for over 6 months; keep the property or other qualifying basis; per Dubai’s GDRFA, property investors cannot sell the property during the 10 years, and a lien is registered on it with the Dubai Land Department

General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.

UAE Golden Visa client stories

More client stories

Compared with other options: Middle East

See the Middle East overview
ProgrammeInvestmentStatusTypical timelineBest for
UAE Golden VisaThis programmeProperty from AED 2,000,000 (entrepreneur and talent routes also available)10-year residence, renewableDepends on processingLong-term residence through property, living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Saudi Arabia Premium ResidencyOne-time SAR 800,000, or a home worth SAR 4,000,000Permanent or long-term residenceDepends on processing (no official processing time published)Permanent residence in one step, or three generations together

UAE Golden Visa FAQ

Does a fall in property value affect the Golden Visa?

The investment recorded when the visa is granted is generally what counts, so later market movements do not affect an approved 10-year residence; subject to the latest rules.

Can mortgaged or off-plan property qualify?

Yes. The total must reach AED 2,000,000, with a no-objection certificate from the bank or developer.

Do I need to live in the UAE?

Golden Visa holders generally do not need to spend a set number of days a year in the UAE to keep their residence.

Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

The Golden Visa is long-term residence and does not lead directly to UAE citizenship.

How does Dubai’s two-year investor visa differ from the Golden Visa?

The two-year visa has a lower property threshold but a shorter residence; for property investments of AED 2,000,000 or more, the 10-year Golden Visa is generally the more stable long-term choice.

Sources

GI GroupAfter your new status: tax, succession, education and overseas property

Your tax residency, asset structure and succession arrangements matter most before you move. GI Group can handle tax planning, asset management and wealth succession, your children’s education overseas, and buying a home or investment property in your new country.

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