Golden visa UAE for investors and entrepreneurs

The golden visa is the UAE's long-term residence for people who invest in or build something in the country. It is separate from the standard residence visa that comes with owning a licensed company: it is not tied to one employer or one licence, and holders can include family members.

This page covers the routes that matter to company owners and investors. There are other golden visa categories (exceptional talent, scientists and specialists, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers), and each has its own conditions.

Golden visas are issued by UAE authorities (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai). Nobody can guarantee approval, and the rules are updated from time to time, so confirm the current criteria before you commit capital.

Golden visa UAE requirements for investors

The ICP guide lists the public-investment route as meeting any one of four tests, and the capital must be fully owned by the investor and not borrowed.

• A deposit of at least AED 2 million with an investment fund or national bank
• A company or establishment with capital of at least AED 2 million
• A partner share worth at least AED 2 million in an existing or new company
• A company paying at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes, or a shareholding that corresponds to that amount
• Comprehensive health insurance for the investor and family, shown at application

Golden visa UAE for entrepreneurs

The entrepreneur category does not need AED 2 million of capital. The ICP guide lists three routes and any one can qualify: owning or part-owning a UAE-registered SME in an approved field with annual revenue of at least AED 1 million; holding approval for your business idea from an accredited incubator, the Ministry of Economy or a relevant local authority; or having founded ventures that were sold for a combined AED 7 million or more.

Health insurance for the entrepreneur and family is required at application.

Golden visa UAE through property or a bank deposit

Property owners can qualify with UAE property worth at least AED 2 million in their name (financing from an approved local bank is allowed) or off-plan units of that value from an approved developer. On the Dubai GDRFA page, the bank-deposit route requires AED 2 million in a local bank, bonds or Sukuk frozen for at least two years, and the property route places a lien on the property for the life of the permit.

Golden visa UAE benefits

• No employer or local sponsor is needed
• People outside the UAE can receive a six-month multiple-entry visa, renewable for six more months, to enter and complete the process
• Spouse, children of any age and parents can be included
• Dubai GDRFA states that holders are exempt from the six-month (180-day) absence rule, though residency is void if it expires while you are abroad
• A holder who takes a job can be given a two-year MoHRE work permit specific to golden visa holders

Golden visa UAE cost and what drives it

The main cost is the capital or property you commit, not the permit fee. For a company owner, the practical extras are health insurance for the family and the cost of keeping the qualifying company, deposit or property in place for the full term. If you also need an investor visa through your own licence while you apply, that is typically AED 3,400–6,500 per visa (October 2026).

How the golden visa UAE process works

1. 1

   Pick the route you can evidence

   Investor (capital, deposit, share or property), tax contributor or entrepreneur. The route decides the documents.

2. 2

   Collect proof of capital and ownership

   Audit-firm report, bank statements and licence for company routes; Dubai Land Department certificate for property; bank certificate for a deposit.

3. 3

   Arrange comprehensive health insurance

   Required for the holder and family at application for the investor and entrepreneur routes.

4. 4

   Apply through ICP or GDRFA

   Online through the authority's smart services system, or in person at an authorised service centre. The authority reviews financial solvency and the size of the investment.

5. 5

   Medical test, Emirates ID and visa issuance

   Steps after approval are the same as any residence visa, and a PRO team can book the appointments.

Documents usually needed for a company-based golden visa

• Passport copy and photo
• Valid trade licence and, if relevant, free zone certificate
• Memorandum of association or partner's appendix showing the share value
• Certified financial report from an accredited UAE audit firm
• Company bank statement and tax registration with last year's tax receipts
• Federal Tax Authority letter if applying through the AED 250,000 tax route
• Proof the capital is wholly owned and not a loan
• Comprehensive health insurance for the holder and family

Things to weigh up

• Capital must belong fully to you. A loan-funded investment does not meet the public-investment test.
• Validity depends on category. The ICP guide shows 10 years across categories, while u.ae lists 5 years for real estate and entrepreneurs, so confirm the term for your route.
• Property cannot be sold and a frozen deposit cannot be withdrawn during the term on the Dubai routes.
• Authorities can ask for more evidence, and approval is never guaranteed.