UAE Golden Visa

Relocate to the United Arab Emirates, optimize taxes, and obtain a flexible 10-year visa.

Program Quick Facts

Investment Amount

$545,000

Fees and Expenses

From $2,636

Residency (Visa) Length

10 years

Time to Obtain

2-3 months

Complexity

Moderate

The United Arab Emirates Golden Visa offers long-term residency for qualified applicants through investment, usually real estate purchase.

The required investment amount is AED 2M ($545,000), with additional government and legal fees totaling approximately AED 9,600 ($2,600).

There are no annual income requirements for this visa, making it accessible to high-net-worth individuals and investors seeking residency in the UAE.

Dependents, including spouses and children, can be included in the application, providing a family-friendly option for relocation.

Applications are processed under the legal framework of Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners, with an estimated approval time of 90 days.

This visa does not offer permanent residency or citizenship pathways.

Applicants must complete their application in person, as remote applications are prohibited.

The UAE Golden Visa is ideal for investors and high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term residency in a modern, tax-efficient jurisdiction.

Who can apply for UAE Golden Visa?

Eligibility and requirements for the main applicant and family members.

Main Applicant Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must have an investment of AED 2,000,000 or more in real estate.
  • Must provide proof of clean source of funds.
  • Must have no criminal record.
  • Must provide health check confirmation.

Program Options, Fees and Requirements

Option 1: 10 Year Visa - Property Purchase

Invest in a new or second-hand property worth AED 2,000,000 or more to qualify for the 10-year residency visa. VAT 5% is applicable on new properties only.

Feature: Most PopularFeature: Purchase with Crypto

Requirements:

Investment Amount

Minimum investment of AED 2,000,000 in a property.

Amount: $545,000

Fees:

Dubai Land Department Fees

4% fee on the total property purchase price for registration.

Amount: 4%

Admin Fee

Administrative fee applicable to property purchases above AED 500,000.

Amount: €1,089

Real Estate Commission

2% commission for real estate agent services.

Amount: 2%

NOC Fee

No Objection Certificate fee required for ownership transfer.

Amount: €544

Trustee Office Fee

Fee paid to the trustee office for processing the transfer of ownership.

Amount: €1,144

VAT

5% VAT on the property price applicable only to new properties.

Amount: 5%

Medical Examination

Mandatory medical examination for residency application.

Amount: €190

Emirates ID (10 Years)

Cost of a 10-year Emirates ID per person.

Amount: €313

Residency Permit Confirmation

Confirmation of a 10-year residency permit.

Amount: €723

Administrative Fees

Additional administrative fees for the residency application.

Amount: €314

Option 2: 10 Year Visa - Bank Deposit

Secure a 10-year residency visa by making a fixed deposit of AED 2,000,000 or more in a UAE bank. The deposit must remain locked for a minimum period of 2 years.

Feature: High Net WorthFeature: Secure Investment

Requirements:

Deposit Amount

Minimum deposit of AED 2,000,000 in a UAE bank, locked for 2 years.

Amount: $545,000

Fees:

Bank Fees

Bank administration fee, usually around 1% of the deposit amount.

Amount: 1%

Deposit Letter Fee

Fee for issuing a deposit confirmation letter required for the Golden Visa application.

Amount: €136

Medical Examination

Mandatory medical examination for residency application.

Amount: €190

Emirates ID (10 Years)

Cost of a 10-year Emirates ID per person.

Amount: €313

Residency Permit Confirmation

Confirmation of a 10-year residency permit.

Amount: €723

Administrative Fees

Additional administrative fees for the residency application.

Amount: €314

Invest in a new or second-hand property worth AED 2,000,000 or more to qualify for the 10-year residency visa. VAT 5% is applicable on new properties only.

Main Applicant
Spouse
(additional)
Child
(additional)
Requirements
Investment Amount
$545,000$0$0
Fees and Expenses
Dubai Land Department Fees
4% of investment
0% of investment
0% of investment
Admin Fee
$1,089
$0
$0
Real Estate Commission
2%
0%
0%
NOC Fee
$544
$0
$0
Trustee Office Fee
$1,144
$0
$0
VAT*
5% of investment
(not included in total)
0% of investment
(not included in total)
0% of investment
(not included in total)
Medical Examination
$190
$190
$190
Emirates ID (10 Years)
$313
$313
$313
Residency Permit Confirmation
$723
$723
$723
Administrative Fees
$314
$314
$314
Total Cost
$571,117
for main applicant
$572,657
for married couple
$574,197
for family of 3
* Items marked with an asterisk are not included in the total cost calculation

Benefits & Restrictions

Benefits

Restrictions and Drawbacks

Warm Climate

The UAE offers a warm climate year-round, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a sunny and comfortable environment.

High Fees

Applicants must account for substantial fees associated with the visa application, property registration, and administrative processes.

Family-Friendly

The program allows for family sponsorship, providing long-term stability and a high quality of life for spouses and children.

No Income Tax

Residents enjoy the financial advantage of a tax-free income, making the UAE an attractive destination for wealth preservation.

Fast Processing

The Golden Visa application is processed within 90 days, offering a quick pathway to long-term residency.

No Residency Requirement

There are no physical presence requirements, allowing residents to maintain their visa without frequent travel to the UAE.

Well-Connected Airport

The UAE's world-class airports provide seamless connectivity to global destinations, enhancing travel convenience for residents.

Golden Visa vs other programs in Uae

CriteriaGolden VisaVirtual Work Visa>Freelance Visa>
Investment Amount$545,000$0$0
Residency TypeLong Term VisaTemporary ResidencyTemporary Residency
Application Fees$2,636$500$4,100
Annual Income Requirement$0$5,000$1,500
Annual Presence Requirement0 days2 days2 days
Key Perks
No Presence RequiredInstant Permanent Residency
Simple SetupLow Cost Program
Simple Setup
Ideal For
InvestorsHNWI
Digital Nomads
Digital Nomads

How to apply for Golden Visa - Timeline

Ongoing

Preparation of Documents

While searching for a property, gather necessary documents such as police clearance certificates, birth certificates, and marriage certificates if applicable.

2 months

Real Estate Purchase

Identify and purchase a property worth AED 2,000,000 or more. Crypto payments are accepted as a payment option.

5 days

Medical Checkup

Complete the required medical examination to confirm fitness for residency.

7-10 days

Application Processing

Submit your application along with all required documents and wait for the approval process to be completed.

UAE Taxation at a glance

Key Information

Taxation Type: No Personal Income Tax

Special Regime:

Normal Tax Residency: 183 days

Special Residency:

Income Tax Rate: 0

Dividend Tax
No
0 - Dividends are exempt for passive investing and longer term holdings. Trading is considered a professional activity. If you perform a professional activity in UAE as an individual (freelancer, trading, consulting) that income is usually taxed at a corporate taxation level.
Capital Gains Tax
No
0 - Capital gains are exempt for passive investing and longer term holdings. Trading is considered a professional activity. If you perform a professional activity in UAE as an individual (freelancer, trading, consulting) that income is usually taxed at a corporate taxation level.
Property Rental Income Tax
No
0 - UAE does not tax properties in or outside UAE.
Property Tax
No
Inheritance Tax
No
Wealth Tax
No
CFC Laws
No

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Programs in Other Countries

Cyprus landscape
Cyprus flagCyprus

Permanent Residency

Instant Permanent Residency
No Presence Required
Fast Tax Residency

Best For:

Investors

Cyprus Fast Track Permanent Residency allows you to obtain Permanent Residency by investing 300,000+ in the country.

Portugal landscape
Portugal flagPortugal

Golden Visa

EU Schengen Access
Instant Permanent Residency
No Presence Required

Best For:

Investors

Portugal Golden Visa allows you to obtain Permanent Residency by investing EUR 500,000+ in the country.

Georgia landscape
Georgia flagGeorgia

Investor Visa

Instant Permanent Residency
No Presence Required
Territorial Tax Country

Best For:

Investors
Entrepreneurs

Georgia Investor Visa allows you to obtain Permanent Residency by investing $300,000+ in the country.