Dubai International Advisory Consultants
- +971 568072491
- AA2 504-03, Al Abbas Building 2, Bur Dubai, Dubai
Dubai International Advisory Consultants
Secure renewable five or ten-year UAE residency through the Dubai Golden Visa. DIAC helps eligible investors, business owners, skilled professionals and exceptional talents apply for self-sponsored residence without depending on an employer or local sponsor.
The UAE Golden Visa is renewable, but it is not an unconditional lifetime visa. Our team confirms your eligibility, documents, costs and application route before submission.
The Dubai Golden Visa is a long-term UAE residence permit for eligible investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, scientists, exceptional talents, outstanding students and other approved applicants.
It allows eligible foreign nationals to live, work, study and invest in the UAE without depending on an employer or local sponsor for their residence. Depending on the approved category, the visa is normally issued for five or ten years and can be renewed if the holder continues to meet the applicable conditions.
The programme is officially known as UAE Golden Residency. Terms such as Dubai Gold Visa, Dubai Gold Card and Gold Card Dubai are commonly used online, but they refer to the same long-term residency programme.
According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Golden Residency provides eligible applicants with long-term residence without a sponsor and allows qualifying holders to sponsor family members.
Dubai applications may be processed through GDRFA Dubai, Amer Centres, Dubai Land Department or a category-specific nominating authority. Applications connected with other emirates are generally handled through ICP or the relevant local authority.
| Feature | Current Position |
|---|
| Visa duration | Five or ten years, depending on the category |
| Sponsorship | Self-sponsored UAE residence |
| Main applicants | Investors, professionals, entrepreneurs, talents and outstanding students |
| Property threshold | AED 2 million for the Dubai property-investor route |
| Professional salary requirement | At least AED 30,000 per month for the eligible skilled-professional route |
| Family sponsorship | Available subject to individual eligibility and documents |
| Time outside the UAE | Golden Residence holders are exempt from the usual six-month absence rule while the visa remains valid |
| Renewal | Depends on continuing to meet the category requirements |
| Final approval | Controlled by the relevant UAE government authority |
Applying for a Golden Visa in Dubai starts with identifying the correct eligibility category. The UAE government has defined clear criteria for each category, and the documents required differ significantly between an investor application, an entrepreneur application, and a skilled professional application. Submitting under the wrong category or with incomplete documentation is the most common reason for delays and rejections.
Our consultants confirm your qualifying category and the exact document checklist before any government fees are paid, eliminating guesswork and unnecessary expense.
A property investor may qualify by owning one or more properties in Dubai with a combined qualifying value of at least AED 2 million.
The property value must be supported by Dubai Land Department ownership records or an accepted valuation. A property advertised for AED 2 million does not necessarily qualify if the registered ownership or approved valuation shows a lower amount.
A mortgaged property may be considered. The applicant may need a no-objection letter from the financing bank showing the amount already paid and the outstanding balance.
Joint ownership may also qualify when the applicant’s individual share meets the required AED 2 million value.
Off-plan properties should be assessed before an application is submitted. Eligibility depends on the property’s registration status, developer, payments made, ownership evidence and the requirements of the application channel.
The current criteria can be checked through the official GDRFA Dubai investor service.
A UAE company owner or partner may qualify through the public-investment category when their qualifying share in the company has an approved value of at least AED 2 million.
The application may require:
An investor may also qualify through a fixed deposit, local bonds or sukuk that meet the applicable AED 2 million threshold. An approved UAE bank must normally confirm the qualifying investment.
An active UAE business investor may qualify through the public-investment category when the Federal Tax Authority issues a letter confirming that the applicant is a partner in one or more establishments and contributes at least AED 250,000 in UAE tax annually.
A valid trade licence and partner details are also required. Final eligibility remains subject to GDRFA assessment, and tax receipts alone should not be treated as a replacement for the required FTA letter.
If your investment does not meet the Golden Visa threshold, review the available UAE investor visa options.
Eligible skilled professionals may qualify based on their UAE employment, professional level, academic qualification and monthly salary.
The current Dubai specialist route generally requires:
A senior job title alone is not enough. The employment contract, MOHRE classification, degree, salary certificate and bank transfers must support the same professional profile.
The current conditions can be reviewed through the official GDRFA Dubai skilled-professional service.
The entrepreneur route is intended for founders of approved innovative, technical or future-focused projects. It is not automatically available to every UAE company owner.
Depending on the application, the applicant may need:
A government nomination is an important part of the application, but it does not guarantee final residence approval.
Entrepreneurs who need to establish or restructure their UAE company can speak with our business setup consultants in Dubai.
Exceptional talent routes cover approved applicants in fields that are important to the UAE.
These may include:
These applications normally require a recommendation or nomination from the relevant UAE authority. The responsible authority depends on the applicant’s field and may include a cultural, scientific, medical, economic, sports or professional regulator.
Applicants may be asked to provide:
A strong CV or portfolio does not replace a required government nomination.
High-achieving students and recent graduates may qualify through a separate academic route.
Current eligibility may include:
Academic classifications and nomination requirements differ between student and graduate routes. Applicants should check the current GDRFA Dubai student and graduate requirements before applying.
Humanitarian applicants may qualify through recognised service, leadership, financial support or long-term work with an approved humanitarian organisation.
Evidence may include:
Frontline workers also require a recommendation from the responsible government authority. These are nomination-based categories and cannot be approved through a standard commercial application alone.
| Applicant Category | Main Eligibility Evidence | Common Application Route |
| Property investor | Dubai property valued at AED 2 million or more | DLD-approved service centre or GDRFA |
| Company investor or partner | Qualifying ownership worth at least AED 2 million with financial, licence and tax evidence | GDRFA or Amer |
| Fixed-deposit investor | Qualifying AED 2 million bank deposit, sukuk or investment bond | GDRFA or Amer |
| Tax-contributing investor | FTA letter confirming the qualifying annual tax contribution | GDRFA or Amer |
| Skilled professional | Eligible professional level, bachelor’s degree, UAE employment and AED 30,000 monthly salary | GDRFA or Amer |
| Entrepreneur | Approved innovative project and nomination | Nominating authority followed by GDRFA |
| Exceptional talent | Recognised achievements and category-specific recommendation | Competent authority followed by GDRFA |
| Outstanding student or graduate | Qualifying academic results and authority approval | ICP, education authority or GDRFA |
| Humanitarian pioneer | Documented contributions and government recommendation | Competent authority followed by GDRFA |
Rules can vary between Dubai and the federal ICP route. DIAC confirms the category, authority and documents applicable to your case before preparing the submission.
The Dubai Golden Visa cost is not the same for every applicant. The final amount depends on the category, application channel, current visa status, medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance, nomination requirements, document attestation and number of dependants.
The following amounts are currently published by Dubai Land Department and were checked on 3 August 2026. Government fees can change.
| Fee Item | Published Amount |
| Medical examination | AED 700 |
| Emirates ID for ten years | AED 1,153 |
| Residence permit confirmation | AED 2,856.75 |
| Dubai Land Department fee | AED 4,020 |
| Administrative fee | AED 1,155 |
| Published total | AED 9,884.75 |
These charges are based on the official Dubai Land Department Golden Visa service.
The published total may not include health insurance, property valuation, bank letters, translations, certificate attestation or DIAC professional fees.
There is no single universal Golden Visa price for professionals, entrepreneurs or exceptional talents.
The total application cost can include:
DIAC provides an itemised quotation after confirming your category and the approvals required. We do not advertise a low starting price that excludes the main costs of the application.
Dubai Land Department currently publishes the following amounts for family applications connected with its property-investor service:
| Dependant Application | Published Amount |
| Family residence permit for ten years | AED 5,774.50 per person |
| Family sponsorship file opening | AED 318.75 |
| Parent residence permit for ten years | AED 5,774.50 per parent |
| Additional charge | AED 100 per sponsored person |
Additional costs may apply for medical testing, health insurance, attestation, translation and supporting family documents.
Applicants can review our UAE family visa sponsorship guide before adding their spouse, children or parents.
DIAC’s professional fee depends on the work required. A property-investor application supported by complete DLD records is different from a professional application requiring qualification recognition or a talent case requiring government nomination.
Our quotation can include:
Government charges and DIAC professional fees are shown separately.
Every application requires a valid passport, recent photograph and evidence supporting the selected category. Applicants already living in the UAE may also need their current residence visa and Emirates ID.
Foreign documents may need verification in the country of issue, UAE embassy authentication and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation. The exact procedure depends on the document, issuing country and authority accepting it.
Our PRO services in Dubai team can assist with document attestation, immigration submissions, medical tests, Emirates ID procedures and dependant applications.
Start by matching your actual documents and circumstances with the relevant Golden Visa category.
Do not select a route based only on a job title, advertised property price, company ownership or an unverified online claim. DIAC reviews the available evidence and identifies potential gaps before submission.
Property owners, qualifying investors and skilled professionals may be able to apply through a direct route when they meet the requirements.
Entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists, students and humanitarian applicants normally need a nomination or recommendation from a competent authority.
A nomination is not the final Golden Visa approval. GDRFA or ICP will still assess the complete residence application.
Employment records, salary transfers, title deeds, valuations, academic qualifications and nomination letters must be complete and consistent.
Foreign certificates may require attestation, qualification recognition or Arabic legal translation. Incorrect documents can delay the process or result in rejection.
| Applicant | Common Application Channel |
| Dubai property investor | DLD-approved service centre or the applicable GDRFA route |
| Dubai skilled professional | GDRFA digital service or Amer Centre |
| Dubai company or public investor | GDRFA or Amer Centre |
| Entrepreneur | Competent nominating authority followed by GDRFA |
| Exceptional talent | Relevant government authority followed by GDRFA |
| Student or graduate | ICP, education authority or applicable GDRFA route |
| Applicant connected with another emirate | ICP or the relevant local authority |
Applicants considering another emirate can review our guides to the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa and RAK Golden Visa.
Applicants who meet the relevant age requirement must complete an approved UAE medical fitness test. Emirates ID biometrics may also be required.
These stages normally require the applicant to be physically present in the UAE.
Once the application is approved and all required procedures are completed, the electronic residence permit is issued and the Emirates ID application is finalised.
Applications for eligible family members can then be completed according to the holder’s category and the dependant requirements.
Golden Visa processing time depends on the applicant category, authority, supporting documents and whether a nomination is required.
| Application Route | Published or Indicative Processing Time |
| DLD property-investor service | Approximately 7 to 10 business days |
| GDRFA skilled-professional service | Approximately 48 hours after a complete eligible submission |
| GDRFA entrepreneur service | Approximately 5 days after nomination and complete submission |
| GDRFA investor service | Approximately 5 days after complete submission |
| GDRFA student or graduate service | Approximately 5 days after the required approval and complete submission |
These are authority service times, not guaranteed end-to-end timelines.
Property valuation, lender letters, qualification recognition, nomination, document attestation, medical testing or authority queries can extend the complete process. A complex Golden Visa application may take several weeks.
Applicants outside the UAE may be able to begin the eligibility review, nomination or document preparation remotely. Medical fitness, biometrics and some property-investor stages usually require attendance in the UAE.
Indian citizens can apply through the same approved Golden Visa categories available to other eligible nationalities. There is no separate Golden Visa for Indians with reduced investment, salary or government-fee requirements.
Yes. Indian citizens may qualify without purchasing property through another approved category, including:
Property investment is only one Golden Visa route.
Some document preparation, eligibility reviews and nomination stages may begin while the applicant is in India.
The applicant will generally need to enter the UAE to complete medical fitness, Emirates ID biometrics and any application stage that requires personal attendance.
Depending on the application category, Indian applicants may need to attest:
The attestation process depends on the issuing state, document type and UAE authority receiving the document. DIAC confirms the required process before the applicant begins attestation.
No general AED 100,000 Golden Visa route exists exclusively for Indian citizens.
Claims promoting a discounted nationality-specific Golden Visa should be checked against ICP, GDRFA or the relevant UAE authority before any payment is made.
Eligible applicants can receive five or ten-year UAE residence, depending on the category. The visa may be renewed when the holder continues to satisfy the applicable requirements.
The Golden Residence is self-sponsored and does not depend on a traditional employer or local individual sponsor.
Employed Golden Visa holders and their employers must still comply with applicable UAE work-permit and professional licensing rules.
Eligible Golden Visa holders may sponsor their spouse and children. Parent sponsorship may also be available through a separate application.
Each family member requires an individual application, supporting documents, health insurance and government fees.
Golden Residence holders are exempt from the usual rule that can affect standard UAE residents who remain outside the country for more than six months.
The Golden Residence must still be valid, and the holder must continue meeting the conditions of the approved category.
A Golden Visa can provide greater residency independence when changing employment, establishing a company or managing UAE investments.
It does not replace a trade licence, work permit, professional licence or regulatory approval. Golden Visa holders must still obtain any authorisation required for their employment or commercial activities.
| Feature | Dubai Golden Visa | Standard UAE Residence Visa |
| Duration | Five or ten years depending on category | Usually issued for a shorter period |
| Sponsor | Self-sponsored | Commonly linked to an employer, company, property or family sponsor |
| Eligibility | Based on investment, profession, talent, entrepreneurship or another approved category | Based on employment, company ownership, family, property or another standard route |
| Time outside the UAE | Exempt from the usual six-month absence rule while valid | The standard absence rule may apply |
| Family sponsorship | Available subject to individual conditions | Available subject to sponsor and income requirements |
| Employment change | Category conditions may still apply | Can directly affect an employer-sponsored visa |
| Renewal | Requires continued Golden Visa eligibility | Requires continued eligibility under the sponsoring route |
| Cost | Usually higher due to longer validity and category procedures | Depends on visa type and duration |
Applicants who do not qualify for a Golden Visa may still have suitable options through an investor visa, employment visa, Green Visa, family visa or UAE retirement visa.
With 14+ years of UAE advisory experience, DIAC has supported more than 500 businesses and worked with international investors from over 30 countries.
A Golden Visa application can involve property records, salary evidence, academic recognition, nomination letters, document attestation, medical fitness and Emirates ID procedures. Our team helps you complete these stages in the correct order.
DIAC provides:
Final eligibility and approval remain under the control of GDRFA, ICP, DLD and the relevant nominating authority.
DIAC does not guarantee government approval or recommend submitting an application when the available evidence does not support the selected category.
Tell us which Golden Visa route you are considering and provide the basic evidence supporting your application.
This may include your property value, company ownership, investment amount, monthly salary, professional classification, academic qualification, achievements or nomination status.
DIAC will help you understand:
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The required amount depends on the category. The Dubai property-investor route generally requires qualifying property worth at least AED 2 million. Public-investment and fixed-deposit routes also have qualifying investment conditions. Skilled professionals and talents qualify through separate salary, qualification, nomination or achievement requirements.
The skilled-professional route generally requires a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000. The applicant must also have eligible UAE employment, an accepted professional classification, a bachelor’s degree and supporting salary-transfer records.
Yes. Skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, business investors, scientists, doctors, exceptional talents, outstanding students and other approved applicants may qualify without purchasing property.
A mortgaged property may qualify when the ownership value meets the applicable requirement and the financing bank provides the required no-objection and payment evidence. Final acceptance depends on DLD and GDRFA assessment.
Yes. Indian citizens can apply through the same investor, professional, entrepreneur, talent, student and other approved categories. There is no separate nationality-based Golden Visa price for Indian applicants.
No. It is normally issued for five or ten years and may be renewed if the holder continues to meet the applicable conditions.
Reviewed by: Adil Ahmad, UAE Business Setup and Residency Specialist at Dubai International Advisory Consultants
Experience: 14+ years supporting UAE company formation, investor residency and government application coordination
Last reviewed: 3 August 2026
Official sources checked: GDRFA Dubai, ICP and Dubai Land Department
Government requirements, fees and application procedures can change. Applicants should obtain a current eligibility assessment and itemised quotation before submitting an application or paying government fees.
