United Arab Emirates visaLong-term residenceUAE Golden Visa for Indian professionals, investors and families
The Golden Visa is a 10-year self-sponsored UAE residence for investors with AED 2 million in property, a bank deposit or a company, skilled professionals earning AED 30,000 a month with a bachelor's degree in a MOHRE level 1 or 2 role, entrepreneurs, scientists, doctors, outstanding students and creatives. GDRFA Dubai charges AED 1,920 for the 10-year residence permit; the 10-year Emirates ID (about AED 1,070) and medical test follow. Holders stay abroad as long as they like, sponsor spouse and children of any age and unlimited domestic staff, and need no employer.
6 min read Verified 29 October 2026 against gdrfad.gov.ae · How we verify
United Arab Emirates golden visa: quick answers
- Who qualifies for a UAE Golden Visa?
- Investors with AED 2 million in UAE property (mortgaged property allowed with a bank letter), a two-year fixed deposit or company capital, or AED 250,000 in annual tax paid; skilled professionals employed in the UAE on AED 30,000 a month with an attested bachelor's degree and a MOHRE level 1 or 2 role; entrepreneurs with an approved project worth AED 500,000; doctors, scientists, engineers and IT specialists nominated by the relevant authority; students with 95% in secondary school or a 3.5 GPA from a top-ranked university; and creatives and athletes with a talent nomination.
- What does it cost?
- GDRFA Dubai charges AED 1,100 for the residence permit plus AED 100 for each year beyond two, so AED 1,900 for 10 years, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation dirhams: AED 1,920 outside the country, or AED 2,420 with the AED 500 inside-country fee. Add the 10-year Emirates ID (about AED 1,070), the medical fitness test (about AED 320) and, for property investors, Dubai Land Department fees for the lien and valuation certificate.
- How long does it take?
- Nomination or eligibility approval takes one to four weeks depending on the category (Dubai Land Department for property, MOHRE and the employer for professionals, the Ministry of Economy for company investors), GDRFA lists five working days for issuance, and the Emirates ID arrives within a week of biometrics; two to eight weeks overall.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Golden residence, 10 years, renewable, no sponsor |
| Government fee | AED 1,920 residence permit (GDRFA Dubai, 10 years); Emirates ID about AED 1,070 |
| Investors | AED 2 million in property, deposit or company; or AED 250,000 annual tax |
| Professionals | AED 30,000 salary, bachelor's degree, MOHRE level 1 or 2 |
| Processing | 2 to 8 weeks; GDRFA issuance 5 working days |
| Where to apply | GDRFA Dubai (Dubai) or ICP Golden Visa portal (other emirates) |
| Family | Spouse and children of any age; unlimited domestic workers |
| Verified | 29 Oct 2026 against gdrfad.gov.ae and u.ae |
Who qualifies for the Golden Visa
| Category | Requirement | Nominating authority |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate investor | Property worth AED 2 million (mortgaged allowed with bank NOC); lien placed for the visa period | Dubai Land Department or the emirate's land authority |
| Deposit or company investor | AED 2 million fixed deposit frozen for two years, or company capital or share of AED 2 million with audited report | GDRFA with bank or Ministry of Economy evidence |
| Tax investor | AED 250,000 in taxes paid in the last year | Federal Tax Authority letter |
| Skilled professional | Bachelor's (attested), MOHRE level 1 or 2, salary of AED 30,000, valid contract | MOHRE classification and employer |
| Entrepreneur | Approved project of AED 500,000 or incubator letter | Economic department or accredited incubator |
| Scientists, doctors, engineers, IT | Degree, licence and nomination | Ministry of Health, Emirates Scientists Council or emirate authority |
| Outstanding students | 95% in secondary school, or GPA 3.5 (3.8 at other ranked universities) | Ministry of Education |
Indian professionals most often qualify through the skilled-professional route, where the salary must be AED 30,000 or more on the MOHRE contract and the degree must be attested in India and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Property investors in Dubai apply through the Land Department's accredited centres, which place a lien on the title deed for the visa period; mortgaged property qualifies when the bank confirms the paid-up value with a no-objection letter.
Golden residence holders are exempt from the six-month absence rule that cancels ordinary visas, can sponsor a spouse and children of any age without the salary test, employ unlimited domestic staff and receive a 10-year Emirates ID. The visa does not include work rights by itself for employees: professionals continue to need an employment contract, but a job change no longer touches the residence.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | AED | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Golden residence permit, 10 years (GDRFA Dubai) | 1,920 | AED 1,100 + AED 100 per year beyond two + AED 20 knowledge and innovation; +AED 500 inside the country; +AED 20 delivery |
| Emirates ID, 10 years | About 1,070 | AED 100 per year plus issuance |
| Medical fitness test | About 320 | Required for adults |
| Dubai Land Department lien and valuation | Set by DLD | Property investors |
| Degree attestation (MEA, UAE Embassy, UAE MOFA) | AED 150 plus India agency fees | Professionals |
| Health insurance | Market rate | Mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
Other emirates issue through the federal ICP Golden Visa portal at similar fees. Vistolane charges the AED 1,920 GDRFA fee at the official rupee rate and shows the Emirates ID and medical as separate lines.
How the application runs, step by step
- 1
Confirm the category and evidence
Title deed or valuation for property; bank deposit certificate; audited company report; MOHRE contract and attested degree for professionals.
- 2
Nomination or pre-approval
Dubai Land Department accredited centre, MOHRE and employer, Ministry of Economy or the relevant authority issues the eligibility approval.
- 3
GDRFA or ICP application
Submit on GDRFA Dubai smart services or an Amer centre (or the ICP portal) and pay AED 1,920; applicants outside the UAE receive an entry permit first.
- 4
Medical and Emirates ID
Medical fitness test and biometrics for the 10-year Emirates ID; existing residents cancel the old visa and change status inside the country.
- 5
Issuance
GDRFA issues the 10-year golden residence within about five working days of a complete file; family members apply next on your sponsorship.
Timeline for an Indian applicant
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence and attestation | 1 to 4 weeks | DLD certificate, bank letter or attested degree |
| Nomination or eligibility approval | 1 to 3 weeks | Authority review |
| GDRFA or ICP issuance | About 5 working days | After medical and biometrics |
| Emirates ID card | Up to 1 week | Delivery after issuance |
Allow two to eight weeks end to end; property investors buying off-plan must wait until the handover value reaches AED 2 million paid.
After issuance
The golden residence is valid for 10 years and renewed on the same conditions; investors must hold the property or deposit for the full period and professionals must still hold a qualifying role at renewal. Holders can stay outside the UAE indefinitely without losing residence, sponsor family for the same period and employ domestic staff. Dubai's Esaad card gives golden residents discounts across the emirate.
The visa is not citizenship and the UAE has no general naturalisation route, but Indian citizens who become UAE tax residents can benefit from the double-taxation agreement on UAE income. Spouses and children of golden residents receive residence for the same 10 years and children can study on it without a separate student visa.
Document checklist: identity
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid 6 months and photos | Colour scan |
| Emirates ID and current visa | For existing residents changing status |
| Health insurance | Dubai or Abu Dhabi policy |
Category evidence
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Title deed and DLD property status certificate | AED 2 million; bank NOC if mortgaged |
| Bank deposit certificate or audited company report | AED 2 million; frozen for two years |
| MOHRE contract showing AED 30,000 and attested bachelor's degree | Skilled professionals; MOHRE level 1 or 2 |
Formalities
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Medical fitness test | Adults |
| Emirates ID biometrics | 10-year card |
| Family documents | Attested marriage and birth certificates for dependants |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Salary or level below the rule
The MOHRE contract shows under AED 30,000, or the role is classified at level 3 or lower.
The fix. Update the contract and MOHRE classification with the employer, or apply under another category.
Property value or ownership
Title deed value under AED 2 million, off-plan without enough paid, or a mortgage without a bank letter.
The fix. Obtain a DLD valuation, pay up to the threshold or add a second property; mortgaged property needs the bank's NOC on paid value.
Degree not attested
Bachelor's without MEA, UAE Embassy and UAE MOFA attestation, or not equivalent to a UAE degree.
The fix. Complete attestation and, where required, the Ministry of Education equivalency before applying.
Deposit or company evidence
Deposit not frozen for two years, or company share not supported by an audited report.
The fix. Obtain the bank's freeze certificate or an audited valuation from a UAE-licensed firm.
Previous record
Pending fines, an uncancelled visa or a security flag.
The fix. Clear fines and cancel the old visa before the golden application.
Official sources
United Arab Emirates golden visa questions
Other United Arab Emirates routes
Visit the UAE
Tourist visa (30 or 60 days)
AED 210 per person (30-day single entry, incl. VAT)
Read the route
Study in the UAE
Student residence visa
AED 210 entry permit (sponsored by the university)
Read the route
Work in the UAE
Employment visa (work residence)
AED 210 entry permit (employer-paid)
Read the route
Join family in the UAE
Family residence visa (sponsorship)
AED 210 entry permit per dependant
Read the route