Second Citizenship
calendar iconAugust 16, 2023
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UAE Golden Visa benefits: reasons to choose this residence by investment program

As of October 3, 2022, a 10-year Golden UAE visa is now available for investors. One of the ways to obtain it is by investing $545,000 in real estate.

The UAE Golden Visa gives foreigners the right to live in the country for ten years with the possibility of renewing it. The applicants can bring family members and domestic helpers with them.

Let’s look at all the Golden Visa benefits for both investors buying property in Dubai and foreign talents.

Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Explained the popularity of UAE Golden Visa

UAE golden visa benefits

UAE Golden Visa benefits: reasons to choose this residence by investment program

What is Golden Visa in UAE?

The UAE Golden Visa is granted to foreigners for 10 years, enabling them to live, work, or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits.

“Golden Visa” is a residency visa type's official name. There are other ways to obtain long-term permits in the UAE — freelancers and remote workers visas, retirement visas, and others. Those visas are typically valid for 5 years.

A wide range of people are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa. Among them are scientists, students, athletes, inventors, entrepreneurs, startup owners, and people who worked with extraordinary efforts in crises, such as the COVID‑19 pandemic.

After fulfilling visa requirements, the investor passes a medical examination and gets a long-term Golden Visa.

Advantages of UAE residency by investment

11 UAE Golden Visa major benefits include the following:

  • a multiple-entry entrance visa valid for six months before a residence permit is issued;

  • the validity period of 10 years;

  • living in one of the wealthiest countries in the world;

  • access to quality healthcare in the UAE — the world medical tourism centre;

  • possibility to renew Golden Visa after expiration;

  • no need for having a sponsor;

  • no requirements to reside in the UAE to keep the Golden Visa valid;

  • sponsoring the family members, including children, regardless of their age;

  • sponsoring any number of domestic helpers like cleaners, nannies and drivers;

  • UAE Golden Visa holders receive an Esaad privilege card, which provides significant discounts in the UAE and 92 other countries;

  • additional preferences for Abu Dhabi and Dubai residents.

Golden Visa holders residing in Abu Dhabi can get discounts on selected properties from developer Imkan Properties. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank will offer real estate Golden Visa investors reduced mortgage fixed-interest rates and non‑real estate investors attractive rates on savings accounts.

Golden Visa holders will also be entitled to reduced premiums on annual health insurance plans for families and individuals, with diverse network coverage and a bundle of benefits inside and outside the UAE.

Golden Visa holders in Dubai with a driving licence from their home country can now take a UAE driver’s test without needing extra lessons. At the same time, if a Golden Visa holder has a licence from one of 32 approved countries, including the US, the UK, and Australia, they will automatically be eligible for a UAE driver’s licence.

As Dubai Golden Visa can be granted to outstanding expatriate students and their families, they can get discounts to pursue their higher education in international university branches in Dubai.

Individual cost calculation of the UAE Golden Visa

Individual cost calculation of the UAE Golden Visa

UAE Golden Visa benefits for Dubai real estate investors

Buying property in the UAE can be a profitable investment. In 2022, prices grew by 8,5% for apartments and 13% for villas.

The UAE has no income tax, so the owner doesn’t pay taxes when renting the property. There are also no taxes on gifts and inheritance. When selling property, the owner will pay half of the Transfer fee, for example, 2% in Dubai.

The UAE property market is one of the most regulated in the world. Buying property is one of the options to get a Golden Visa for 10 years. Residential apartments, hotel rooms, villas, townhouses, and offices are available for this visa type.

Getting a long-term Golden residency is possible if you already have a real estate property in the UAE.

6 Dubai Golden Visa benefits for expats

In spite of the hot summer seasons, talented foreigners still chose the UAE for working, studying, and living for many reasons. Here are some of them.

1. Back-up plan. Expats can reside in the UAE, one of the wealthiest and most prosperous countries worldwide. They also can travel to the country anytime, even if the borders are closed because of epidemic, political or economic issues.

2. Safety. In 2022, the UAE ranked 2nd in the World Safety Index. Among the emirates, the first place went to Abu-Dhabi. Sharjah and Dubai ranked fourth and eighth, respectively.

3. Education. The UAE Universities are among the best educational institutions in the world. The QS World University Rankings 2024 includes 11 UAE universities, four of which are in the Top 500. Some universities are branches of American, Australian, and British educational institutions.

4. Tax system. The UAE is considered a tax haven because income, capital gains, inheritance, gifts, and properties are exempt from taxation.

Starting January 2023, the corporate tax is 9% if a company generates a profit equal to or exceeding AED 375,000.

Nevertheless, the tax on corporate profit in the UAE is lower than in many other countries. For example, in states that also offer residency by investment programs, such as Malta or Portugal, corporate tax rates are 35% and 21%, respectively.

5. Investors can open companies in the UAE to reduce the tax burden. The most favourable conditions apply to companies operating in Free Zones with a special tax and customs regime. Most of these zones are located in Dubai.

Free Zones have no corporate taxes, VAT, import or export taxes. Another benefit is that a foreign investor can become the sole company owner in the UAE Free Zone.

6. Entertainment. There are many things to do in the UAE. Landmark tourist places, such as Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, offer sightseeing for all ages.

Discover the perks, conditions, and features of the Emirati investment program

How to get a UAE Golden Visa

To obtain a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, foreigners may purchase real estate for AED 2 million, or nearly $545,000.

Document requirements are the following:

1. Passport.

2. Birth certificates.

3. Marriage certificate.

4. Certificate of non-marriage for children over 18 years of age.

5. Certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship.

6. UAE Good Conduct certificate addressed to the Dubai Land Department.

7. Medical insurance.

8. Medical Fitness Certificate.

9. One photo per applicant.

10. Current UAE visa.

Spouses, children, and domestic helpers may apply for the UAE Golden Visa with investors. The visa is typically issued within 2 months.

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Step 1. Preliminary Due Diligence check

Immigrant Invest’s specialist conducts a preliminary check to find out issues and raise the chances of obtaining a visa. The process is strictly confidential. A Certified Anti-Money Laundering Officer verifies the investor’s documents.

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Step 2. Documents preparation

The investor submits the documents, and the lawyers translate and notarise them and conduct consular legalisation.

3

Step 3. Obtaining a 6-months entry visa

Applicants receive 6-month visas to enter the UAE, choose the properties, pass a medical checkup, and apply for a golden visa.

4

Step 4. Real estate purchase

Immigrant Invest’s real estate specialists will offer you several real estate options, help to purchase the property and register title ownership.

5

Step 5. Medical checkup

All applicants over 18 years undergo a medical checkup in a UAE clinic. They are tested for infectious diseases and pass fluorography to obtain a health certificate.

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Step 6. Getting a Golden Visa

The inventors and their family come to the UAE to apply for the visa and give biometrics to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Usually, the application consideration takes one week. After the application is approved, the investor and their family get golden visas

Is it possible to get UAE citizenship by obtaining a Golden Visa?

One disadvantage of the UAE Golden Visa is that this residency route does not lead to citizenship. You can renew the visa several times and try to apply for citizenship in 30 years. But there are no guarantees.

If you want to get a second passport, Immigrant Invest offers several European investment programs. In all of them, you obtain a residency first and then apply for citizenship in 5­—10 years.

Countries offering Golden Visas with a citizenship prospect

Country

Citizenship obtaining time

Golden Visa investments

Golden Visa obtaining time

Investments in real estate

5 years

€300,000+

3+ months

Yes

5 years

€250,000+

8—10 months

No

7 years

€250,000+

6+ months

Yes

it-flag Italy

10 years

€250,000+

3+ months

No

10 years

€500,000+

5+ months

Yes

A residence permit in a European country provides freedom of travel within the Schengen Area and the prospect of citizenship in an EU country.

Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services through direct investment is another option for applying for citizenship in Europe. Investors can apply for citizenship in 1 or 3 years after investing at least €690,000.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.

Will you obtain the UAE Golden Visa?

Practical Guide

Will you obtain the UAE Golden Visa?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the UAE Golden Visa?

    It’s a 10-year residence permit for living, working and studying in the UAE. Investors, scientists, students, athletes, inventors, entrepreneurs, startup owners, and other foreign talents can apply.


  • What are the perks of a UAE Golden Visa?

    It can be renewed however many times you want. Spouses, children, and even housekeepers may join applicants in the obtaining process. There are also no requirements to live in the UAE all the time to keep the residency.

  • Who is eligible for a UAE Golden Visa?

    A wide range of people are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa. Among them are scientists, students, athletes, inventors, entrepreneurs, startup owners, and people who worked with extraordinary efforts in crises, such as the COVID‑19 pandemic.

  • What is the minimum salary for a UAE Golden Visa?

    You are eligible for UAE residency if you are a CEO working in the private or public sector. You must have a university degree with a bachelor’s degree, earn a monthly salary of at least AED 50,000, and have at least five years of work experience in the UAE.

  • How to get a Golden Visa in the UAE?

    You need to get a multiple-entry visa for six months to enter the country. After buying a property, investors pass a medical examination and get a long-term Golden Visa. The process usually takes about two months.

  • What is the cost of a 10-year Golden Visa UAE?

    It depends on the option. Obtaining a 10-year UAE Golden Visa by real estate purchase costs AED 2 million, or nearly $545,000.

  • Does a UAE Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

    No, it doesn’t. The UAE Golden Visa route does not include the right to apply for citizenship. Instead, if second citizenship is necessary, investors can get residency in European countries like Cyprus, Greece, or Portugal, and apply for passports in 5—7 years.

  • How long can Golden Visa holders stay outside UAE?

    There are no limits. Golden Visa holders can stay outside the UAE however long they need. It is only required to visit the UAE once or twice a year to maintain the status.

  • What are the disadvantages of a Golden Visa in UAE?

    Expats can’t obtain UAE citizenship using the Golden Visa route. But they still can apply for citizenship by naturalisation after 30 years of living in the country.

  • Can I buy a Golden Visa in the UAE?

    To obtain a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, foreigners purchase real estate for AED 2 million, or nearly $545,000.