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Visas and PRO · UAE
UAE Golden Visa for investors and founders
The Golden Visa is a long term residence visa that needs no sponsor. This page sets out who qualifies, what the official sources say about the term, who you can sponsor and the fees the authorities publish.
The short answer
The UAE Golden Visa is a long term, renewable residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, specialists and other listed categories. Holders need no sponsor and can sponsor their family. Property investors qualify with UAE property worth at least AED 2 million. Official sources state the term as 5 or 10 years, so we confirm it with the issuing authority, ICP or GDRFA Dubai, before you apply.
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a long term, renewable residence visa. The UAE Government portal describes it as valid for 5 or 10 years.
The portal lists these categories: investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent and rare specialist fields, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.
It states that holders do not need a sponsor, can sponsor family members including spouses and children, and can stay outside the UAE for more than the usual six months without losing the residence visa.
Good to knowA UAE residence visa does not by itself end UK tax residence, which HMRC decides under the Statutory Residence Test. Rules in other countries differ. Ask your adviser there before you rely on it.
Is the Golden Visa 5 years or 10 years?
Official sources state both. They disagree on the term for property investors and for entrepreneurs, so we do not present either figure as settled.
We confirm the term with the issuing authority before you apply. The table shows what each official source states.
| Category | Source | Term stated |
|---|---|---|
| Property investors | UAE Government portal (u.ae), page updated 28 July 2026 | 5 years |
| Property investors | ICP, Golden Residency Guide | 10 years |
| Property investors | GDRFA Dubai | 10 years, extendable if the conditions are still met |
| Property investors | Dubai Land Department | 10 years, renewable |
| Public investments | UAE Government portal (u.ae) | 10 years |
| Entrepreneurs | UAE Government portal (u.ae) | 5 years |
| Entrepreneurs | GDRFA Dubai | 10 years |
Can you get a Golden Visa by buying property in Dubai?
Yes, if the property is worth at least AED 2 million. Every official source we checked gives the same threshold.
The ICP guide states that a real estate investor must own one or more UAE properties with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000, fully registered in the investor's name.
In Dubai, Dubai Land Department states that the applicant must be inside the UAE. GDRFA Dubai states that mortgaged property is acceptable, that a Dubai Land Department valuation certificate is required and that a lien is placed on the property for the 10 year period (checked September 2026).
- Loan financed property: ICP accepts it where the financing comes from an approved local bank.
- Mortgaged property: Dubai Land Department permits it with a bank letter confirming the amount paid.
- Off plan units: ICP accepts units totalling at least AED 2,000,000 bought from an approved local real estate company.
- Health insurance: ICP requires valid comprehensive cover for the investor and family members for the whole residency period.
Can you qualify through your own company?
Yes. GDRFA Dubai lists a company share of at least AED 2 million as one of four investor routes.
The UAE Government portal gives the investor requirement as minimum capital of AED 2 million, through property ownership or contribution to an establishment paying at least AED 250,000 annually in taxes.
| Route | Threshold | Condition stated |
|---|---|---|
| Company share | At least AED 2 million | Certified financial report from an accredited audit firm, and a valid trade license |
| Real estate | At least AED 2 million | Mortgaged property is acceptable. Dubai Land Department valuation certificate required |
| Bank deposit | At least AED 2 million in a local UAE bank | Frozen for at least 2 years |
| Tax payments | At least AED 250,000 a year | None recorded |
Golden Visa for entrepreneurs and specialists
Entrepreneurs and specialist professionals have their own routes, with conditions that differ by authority.
For entrepreneurs, the UAE Government portal asks for proof of an innovative or technical project, proof of the project value and a letter from a business incubator. GDRFA Dubai requires a nomination from Dubai Future Authority (checked September 2026).
| Category | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Own or co-own a UAE registered SME in an approved field with annual revenue of at least AED 1,000,000, or hold an approved business idea, or have founded ventures sold for AED 7,000,000 or more in total |
| Specialist professional | Valid work permit, at least a bachelor's degree, monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 and health insurance |
Who can you sponsor on a Golden Visa?
A Golden Visa holder can sponsor a spouse, children regardless of age, and parents. The ICP guide also allows domestic workers, under UAE regulations.
The ICP guide states that if the holder dies, sponsored family members may stay until their own residence permits expire.
What are the government fees for a Golden Visa?
Three authorities publish fees, each for its own service. The table shows them as published. They were checked in September 2026 and can change.
The ICP guide states that eligible applicants outside the UAE receive a six month multiple entry visa, renewable for a further six months.
We prepare the application and book the appointments. We tell you our fee and the government fees in writing before you commit. The authority decides the application.
| Authority | Service | Published fees | Stated processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDRFA Dubai | Golden residence, investors | Residence permit AED 1,100, Knowledge Dirham AED 10, Innovation Dirham AED 10, in country fee AED 500, delivery AED 20 | 5 days |
| Dubai Land Department | Golden visa service for property investors | Medical AED 700, Emirates ID for 10 years AED 1,153, residency for 10 years AED 2,856.75, DLD fees AED 4,020, administrative fees AED 1,155. Total AED 9,884.75 | 7 to 10 business days |
| ICP | Entry permit for real estate investor residency | Application AED 100, issuance AED 100, smart services AED 100. Total AED 300 | 2 days |
Good to knowStated processing times are for a single step. We found no official page that gives a time for the whole process.
Documents you need
- Dubai Land Department valuation certificate, as GDRFA Dubai states for property, including mortgaged property
- Bank letter confirming the amount paid, where the property is mortgaged
- Certified financial report from an accredited audit firm, for the company share route
- Valid trade license, for the company share route
- Valid comprehensive health insurance for the investor and family members
- For entrepreneurs: proof of the project, proof of its value and a letter from a business incubator
Packages and prices
What it costs with Links.
Prices are published, with what each one covers and what it does not. We send the full cost in writing before you commit.
Dubai free zone
One visa package
AED19,900
- LLC license
- 100% business ownership
- One visa allocation
- Co-working space
- Bank account opening
- VAT consultation
- Dedicated account manager
What is not included
- Foreign trade name
- Accommodation fees
- SEWA deposit
- Visa cost
- Municipality fees
Terms and conditions apply. Prices are indicative. The license fee differs by business activity, and the final cost varies with the number of visas and government fees. See all packages.
Common questions
Golden Visa: common questions.
Answered from the official sources listed below. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
Can I get a Golden Visa by buying a flat in Dubai, and what is the minimum price?
Yes. The threshold is property worth at least AED 2 million. The ICP guide states that the investor must own one or more UAE properties with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000, fully registered in the investor's name.
Does a mortgaged or off plan property count towards the AED 2 million?
The ICP guide accepts property financed by a loan from an approved local bank, and off plan units totalling at least AED 2,000,000 bought from an approved local real estate company. Dubai Land Department permits mortgaged property with a bank letter confirming the amount paid.
Is the Golden Visa for property 5 years or 10 years?
Official sources disagree. The UAE Government portal lists 5 years for real estate investments. The ICP Golden Residency Guide, GDRFA Dubai and Dubai Land Department state 10 years. We confirm the term with the issuing authority before you apply.
Do I need to live in the UAE for a minimum number of days to keep a Golden Visa?
The UAE Government portal states that Golden Visa holders can stay outside the UAE for more than the usual six months without losing the residence visa. We found no official page that sets a minimum number of days.
Can my spouse, children and parents come with me on a Golden Visa?
Yes. The ICP guide states that holders can sponsor a spouse, children regardless of age, and parents. If the holder dies, sponsored family members may stay until their own residence permits expire.
Do I need a UAE employer or sponsor for a Golden Visa?
No. The UAE Government portal states that Golden Visa holders do not need a sponsor.
Can I get a Golden Visa through my own company rather than property?
GDRFA Dubai lists a company share of at least AED 2 million as an investor route. It requires a certified financial report from an accredited audit firm and a valid trade license. Annual tax payments of at least AED 250,000 are another route. The routes were checked in September 2026 and can change.
What are the government fees for a Golden Visa?
GDRFA Dubai publishes AED 1,100 for the investor residence permit, plus smaller charges. Dubai Land Department publishes a total of AED 9,884.75 for its golden visa service. ICP publishes AED 300 for the real estate investor entry permit. Fees were checked in September 2026 and can change.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Every fact on this page was checked against the official source on 29 September 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm the current position before any application.
- UAE Government portal, Golden visa (opens in a new tab)
- ICP, UAE Golden Residency Guide (opens in a new tab)
- GDRFA Dubai, golden residence for investors (opens in a new tab)
- GDRFA Dubai, golden residence for entrepreneurs (opens in a new tab)
- Dubai Land Department, request for Golden Visa (investor) (opens in a new tab)
- ICP, entry permit for real estate investor residency (opens in a new tab)
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