Arrange a Private Consultation
Find out how we can help you in 15 minutes.
Residency by Investment in UAE
A Structured Route to Long-Term Residency Through the United Arab Emirates
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit for foreign investors and talent, issued for five or ten years depending on the category and governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022.
Each investment route requires AED 2 million: a deposit in an accredited UAE investment fund or national bank, company capital, a shareholding, or property. The permit carries no minimum stay requirement, and its holders are exempt from the rule that voids an ordinary UAE residence visa after 180 days abroad.
It is a residence permit. It does not lead to Emirati citizenship, and the UAE operates no citizenship by investment programme.
Figures verified 1 September 2026.
What the UAE Golden Visa actually gives you
The UAE Golden Visa is useful for a narrow set of reasons, and it is oversold for others. What follows is what the regulation and the issuing authorities actually provide, with the source for each.
Long-term residence, five or ten years
The UAE Golden Visa is issued for five or ten years depending on the category, not ten years in every case. Public investment investors, exceptional talent and specialised expertise receive ten years; entrepreneurs receive five. Renewal is not automatic: under Annex Article 5 of Cabinet Resolution 65/2022 it requires approval and re-satisfaction of the original conditions, and Article 4(3) allows continuing verification throughout the term.
No minimum stay, and exemption from the 180-day rule
An ordinary UAE residence visa is voided automatically once the holder spends more than 180 continuous days outside the country. Golden Visa holders are exempt. GDRFA Dubai states that the residence is treated as void only if it expires while the holder is outside the UAE, so the risk to manage is expiry abroad rather than absence itself.
Family, including children of any age
Annex Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution 65/2022 permits residence permits for the spouse, for children regardless of age, and for parents, each for a renewable ten years. Domestic workers may be recruited subject to financial solvency, with no stated numeric cap. If the sponsor dies, dependants may remain in the UAE for the duration of the residence already granted to them.
No personal income tax, but residence is not tax residence
The UAE levies no personal income tax on individuals. Holding a Golden Visa does not by itself make you UAE tax resident: the Federal Tax Authority states that holding a residence permit does not automatically make a natural person a tax resident. Tax residence is determined by Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022, in force from 1 March 2023, and turns on your primary residence and centre of interests, or 183 days of presence, or 90 days combined with a permanent home or a business here.
A base for business, judged on its own merits
UAE residence gives access to a substantial business environment, including free zones permitting full foreign ownership. Corporate tax applies at 9% above AED 375,000 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, so the absence of personal income tax should not be read as an absence of tax on business activity.
The Citizenship360 Guides
The UAE Golden Visa: The Complete Guide
The full guide to the UAE Golden Visa: the qualifying categories, the thresholds, the documents and the process, with figures checked against official UAE government sources.
The qualifying investment routes, and what each requires
Every investor route to the UAE Golden Visa sets the same headline figure of AED 2 million. The conditions attached to it differ sharply, and the differences are where applications fail. Sources: Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 (Annex Article 8), GDRFA Dubai and Dubai Land Department. Figures verified 1 September 2026.
Public investment: AED 2 million
Three variants qualify under Annex Article 8, First. A deposit of at least AED 2 million in an accredited UAE investment fund or a national bank operating in the UAE; GDRFA requires the deposit to be certified as frozen for no less than two years and it may not be withdrawn during the residency. Or starting a company in the UAE with capital of at least AED 2 million. Or holding a share of at least AED 2 million in a new or existing UAE company, evidenced by a certified financial report from a UAE-accredited audit firm.
On all three, Annex Article 8 First(6) requires the capital to be wholly owned by the investor and expressly not a loan.
Property: AED 2 million
Annex Article 8, Second permits ownership of one or more properties with a total value of at least AED 2 million, so holdings may be aggregated. Where the interest is a share in a jointly owned property, GDRFA requires that share alone to be worth AED 2 million.
Off-plan qualifies, provided the purchase is from a developer approved by the competent local authority (Annex Article 8 Second(2)). The regulation also permits the property to be mortgaged, on condition that the loan is from a local bank determined by that authority, and Dubai Land Department accordingly asks for a no-objection letter from the bank.
The condition most often left out: GDRFA requires a lien to be placed on the property to secure continuity of ownership for the whole term. You cannot buy in, obtain the visa and sell out. The same applies to the deposit route, which cannot be refunded during the residency.
A conflict between official sources, stated plainly. Cabinet Resolution 65/2022, GDRFA Dubai and Dubai Land Department all treat the property route as ten years and permit a mortgage from an approved bank. The ICP Golden Residency guide and the u.ae portal currently describe the property route as five years and require ownership without loans. We follow the regulation and the Dubai implementing authorities above, but the position is genuinely unsettled and you should confirm it with the processing authority in your emirate before committing capital. Checked 1 September 2026.
What else it costs
Beyond the qualifying investment, expect government application and issuance fees for the main applicant and each dependant, medical fitness and Emirates ID charges, health insurance premiums, property registration and notarial costs where relevant, and document attestation and translation. Dubai Land Department publishes its own schedule for the family permits.
Professional and advisory fees sit on top and vary with family size and complexity. We do not publish a figure for those; they are confirmed in your personalised quote.
Why Choose United Arab Emirates?
- Strategic Global Hub: Situated at a crossroads of international trade routes, the UAE connects Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it ideal for businesses seeking global reach. Its world-class airports and seaports position residents at the centre of global commerce, travel, and innovation.
- Stable Economy and Business-Friendly Environment: With a robust legal framework, no personal income tax, multiple free zones, and a straightforward company setup process, the UAE provides a stable, investor-friendly environment. Government policies encourage foreign direct investment, entrepreneurship, and innovation across diverse sectors, including finance, logistics, technology, healthcare, and renewable energy.
- High Quality of Life: The UAE offers an exceptional standard of living, featuring top-tier healthcare, international education options, safe communities, and world-class leisure and entertainment facilities. The vibrant multicultural society ensures residents enjoy cultural diversity, global cuisines, and year-round sunshine.
Who qualifies, and what you must keep doing afterwards
The Golden Visa is not granted once and forgotten. Annex Article 4 of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 imposes continuing conditions, and Article 4(3) allows the authorities to verify compliance at any point during the term.
Age, health and insurance
Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 sets no minimum age for the Golden Visa, and the outstanding-students category expressly covers twelfth-grade school pupils. What does apply at 18 is the medical fitness test, which u.ae states is required for applicants aged 18 and above. Continuously valid health insurance is a standing condition of the permit under Annex Article 4, not merely a recommendation.
Clean Criminal Record
A clean criminal record is mandatory.
Authorities conduct background checks to ensure the security and integrity of the programme.
Financial Transparency
and Compliance
Applicants must demonstrate a legitimate source of funds, comply with relevant regulations, and follow due diligence standards.
Documentation must confirm the value and legality of the investment.
Dependants
Annex Article 3 allows the spouse, children regardless of age, and parents to be included, each for a renewable ten years. Domestic workers may be recruited subject to financial solvency. An applicant approved from outside the UAE receives a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable once, to complete the formalities.
Application Process
The UAE residency application process follows a structured and regulated framework. Professional guidance supports applicants from initial consultation through to approval and ongoing compliance.
Gather Required Paperwork: Collect legal documents (passport copies, proof of funds, investment agreements, corporate documents if applicable), police clearance certificates, and health insurance coverage details. Certified translations and notarisations may be necessary.
Gather Required Paperwork: Collect financial statements, police clearances, health insurance, investment contracts, and identity documents. Legalisation, notarisation, and translations into Arabic may be required.
Complete the Qualifying Investment: Finalize the property purchase, transfer funds to a Spanish bank, invest in government bonds, or register your business project. Ensure full compliance with Spanish laws and confirm property registration or asset acquisition.
Execute the fund investment, finalize company incorporation, or complete the property purchase. Ensure compliance with UAE regulations and secure evidence of your qualifying investment.
Citizenship360 Submits Your Application: We file the application with the relevant UAE immigration authority (e.g., the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security), ensuring accuracy and adherence to guidelines.
Background Checks and Verification: Authorities assess the application, conduct due diligence, and confirm eligibility. Upon approval, you receive an entry permit (if applying from abroad) or proceed directly to residency issuance if already in the UAE.
Obtain Your 10-Year Residence Permit: After approval and biometric enrolment, you receive your Golden Visa residence card. This 10-year residency permit is renewable, subject to maintaining your qualifying investment.
Expect several weeks to a few months, depending on application complexity, documentation readiness, and government review times.
Make an Enquiry
For enquiries of any kind please click the button below and a member of the team will be in touch.
Programme details last reviewed: July 2026.
UAE Golden Visa: expert guides
Sources
Figures verified 1 September 2026.
- Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 concerning entry and residence of foreigners, and its Annex (Articles 3, 4, 5, 8 and 18). UAE Legislation portal. Checked 1 September 2026.
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Golden Residency guide. icp.gov.ae. Checked 1 September 2026.
- ICP statement of 8 July 2025 denying reports of lifetime Golden Residence. icp.gov.ae. Checked 1 September 2026.
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, golden residence permit (investors). gdrfad.gov.ae. Checked 1 September 2026.
- Dubai Land Department, Golden Visa investor service. dubailand.gov.ae. Checked 1 September 2026.
- u.ae, Golden visa; General provisions for the residence visa; Emirati nationality; Other taxes. Checked 1 September 2026.
- Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022 on determination of tax residency, in force 1 March 2023, and Ministerial Decision No. 27 of 2023. Checked 1 September 2026.
- Federal Tax Authority, Tax Resident and Tax Residency Certificate guide (TPGTR1), October 2024. Checked 1 September 2026.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the taxation of corporations and businesses. Checked 1 September 2026.
This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Investment migration rules and tax rules change frequently and depend on your personal circumstances. Figures are correct as at the date shown and should be confirmed before you act. Speak to a qualified adviser, and contact Citizenship360 for guidance specific to your situation.
FAQ’s
Yes for property. Annex Article 8, Second of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 refers to one or more properties with a total value of at least AED 2 million, so holdings can be aggregated. Where your interest is a share in a jointly owned property, GDRFA requires that share on its own to be worth AED 2 million. The public investment routes are worded differently and are treated as a single qualifying deposit, company capital or shareholding rather than a sum of smaller ones.
Yes. Annex Article 3 permits residence permits for the spouse, children regardless of age, and parents, for a renewable ten years, and there is no requirement to include everyone in the original application. Domestic workers may also be recruited, subject to financial solvency. If the sponsor dies, dependants may remain for the duration of the residence already granted to them.
No. The UAE Golden Visa is a residence permit and official sources describe no route from it to Emirati citizenship. The UAE portal states that citizenship can be acquired only through the Rulers and Crown Princes Courts, the Offices of the Executive Councils and the Cabinet, on the nomination of federal entities. Investors are one of the nomination categories, but nomination confers no entitlement, has no published price and cannot be applied for. There is no citizenship by investment programme in the UAE, and any figure quoted to you as the cost of an Emirati passport is unsupported by any official source.
Not by the UAE, and not automatically. The UAE levies no personal income tax on individuals. But holding a Golden Visa does not by itself make you UAE tax resident: the Federal Tax Authority states that holding a residence permit does not automatically make a natural person a tax resident. Tax residence is set by Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022, in force from 1 March 2023, on three alternative tests: your usual or primary residence and centre of financial and personal interests in the UAE; or 183 days of physical presence in any 12 consecutive months; or 90 days combined with a permanent home or employment or business here. Whether you stop being taxed in the country you are leaving is a separate question governed by that country and is where the expensive mistakes are made.
No. The Golden Visa carries no minimum stay requirement, and its holders are exempt from the rule that voids an ordinary UAE residence visa after 180 continuous days abroad. GDRFA Dubai puts it precisely: the residence is considered void only if it expires while the holder is outside the country. So the thing to diarise is the expiry date, not a day count.
Renewal is not automatic. Under Annex Article 5 it requires approval and re-satisfaction of the conditions on which the permit was originally granted, which for an investor means the qualifying investment must still be in place. Note that Annex Article 18 makes the permit for top students and graduates a one-time, non-renewable grant. Note also that the permit is issued for five or ten years depending on category, so check which applies to you rather than assuming ten.
No. On 8 July 2025 the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security publicly denied reports that the UAE was granting lifetime Golden Residence to certain nationalities, describing them as untrue. The authority stated that all Golden Residence applications are managed exclusively through official government channels inside the UAE, that no consultancy, domestic or foreign, is an approved party in the application process, and that it would take legal action against those spreading the claims in an attempt to obtain money unlawfully. The programme remains five or ten years. If someone offers you a lifetime UAE residence for a fixed fee, that is the scam the authority was describing.