UAE Expands Golden Visa Opportunities for Entrepreneurs, Students, and Others
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expanded its Golden Visa program for 2025, creating more opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and exceptional students to obtain long-term residency in the country.
The UAE Golden Visa aims to attract talent and investment, offering long-term residency for individuals and their families. This visa enables residents to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a local sponsor. With validity ranging from five to ten years, it provides stability and ample opportunities to establish a future in the country.
The Golden Visa is available to a diverse range of applicants, including investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and outstanding students. The updated program introduces several changes to make it easier for expatriates and their families to gain residency in the UAE and strengthen the country’s appeal as a global hub for talent and investment.
Key updates to the UAE Golden Visa program include:
Off-Plan Property Investments: Starting in 2024, individuals investing in off-plan properties (properties under construction) are now eligible for the Golden Visa. Applicants must either pay at least 50% of the property value upfront or provide a bank guarantee for the remaining balance.
Entrepreneurs and Innovative Business Ideas: Entrepreneurs with innovative business concepts, or those backed by approved incubators such as Dubai’s AREA 2071 or Abu Dhabi’s HUB71, now qualify for the Golden Visa. The minimum required value for projects has been reduced to AED 500,000.
Specialised Professionals: Highly skilled professionals, including PhD holders, doctors, engineers, and creatives in fields like art and culture, can now more easily apply with reduced documentation requirements, provided they have a valid work contract in the UAE.
Outstanding Students: High school and university students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher are now eligible for the Golden Visa. These students can also sponsor their families—parents and siblings—for residency in the UAE.
Real Estate Investments: Real estate investments must now be fully paid for, without financing through loans, to qualify for the Golden Visa. The minimum required value for real estate investments is AED 2 million.
Investor Requirements: Investors can qualify for the Golden Visa by investing at least AED 2 million in a UAE-approved investment fund, owning a company that pays AED 250,000 or more in annual taxes, or making real estate investments worth at least AED 2 million.
Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs are required to own projects with a minimum value of AED 500,000 and must have endorsements from approved business incubators or government agencies.
Specialised Talents: Applicants with PhDs or professionals in fields such as AI, biotechnology, and big data, or those involved in arts and culture with government endorsements, are eligible for the Golden Visa.
Outstanding Students: Students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher, or high school graduates with a recommendation from the Ministry of Education, can apply for the visa.
Required Documents: Applicants must submit various documents based on their eligibility category, including a valid passport copy, proof of investment or property ownership, endorsement letters from relevant authorities or incubators, certified academic records for students, valid health insurance for at least one year, and proof of accommodation in the UAE (either ownership or rental agreement).
The UAE has also streamlined the application process for the Golden Visa to ensure a faster and more efficient experience for applicants. The process includes the following steps:
- Submit Nomination: Applicants must visit the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) website or app and provide personal details to submit a nomination.
- Upload Required Documents: Applicants must upload relevant documents such as their passport copy, proof of investment or academic credentials, and health insurance.
- Pay Fees: Application fees can be securely paid online via the platform.
- Receive Nomination Approval: Once approved, applicants will receive an invitation to complete the visa application process.
- Complete Residency Procedures: After receiving the visa, applicants must undergo biometric registration and a medical examination as per UAE residency requirements.
These updates to the UAE Golden Visa program are expected to further enhance the country’s appeal to global talent, investors, and professionals, contributing to its growth as a leading destination for innovation and investment.
