What it gives you
- A long, renewable residence visa. u.ae lists 5 or 10 years depending on the category; ICP’s current guide and GDRFA Dubai’s investor service give 10 years. We confirm the term for your category before you apply.
- No sponsor. You don’t need an employer or a family member to hold it.
- Time abroad. You can stay outside the UAE for longer than the usual six months and keep the visa.
- Your family. You can sponsor your spouse and children whatever their age, and your parents. Domestic workers can be sponsored under UAE rules.
- Peace of mind. If the holder dies, the family members they sponsored can stay until their own permits expire.
- Time to apply. If you qualify and live abroad, you can get a six-month multiple-entry visa to come and complete the application, renewable once for another six months.
Who qualifies
These are the main routes and what ICP, the federal authority, asks for in each.
| Route | What you need |
|---|---|
| Investors (public investment) | A deposit, company capital or partner share of at least AED 2 million, or a company that pays at least AED 250,000 a year in taxes. The money must be fully your own, not a loan. |
| Property investors | Property worth at least AED 2 million in your name. Off-plan units from an approved developer count, and a loan from an approved local bank is allowed. |
| Entrepreneurs | A small or medium business with annual revenue of at least AED 1 million, or founders who have sold ventures for at least AED 7 million in total. The business idea must be approved by an accredited incubator, the Ministry of Economy or a relevant local authority. |
| Specialised professionals | A valid UAE work permit, at least a bachelor’s degree, and a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000. |
| Scientists and exceptional talents | Scientists, and talents in fields such as culture and arts, sports, innovation and digital technology. Each field has its own evidence, such as recognition from a relevant body, international awards or years of experience. |
| Outstanding students and graduates | School: a Grade 12 certificate with at least 95%, attested by the Ministry of Education. University: graduated within the last two years with a GPA of at least 3.5 from a world top-100 university, or 3.5 or 3.8 from a UAE university, depending on its category. |
| Humanitarian pioneers | Five years as a member or outstanding employee of an international, regional or non-profit organisation, or at least AED 2 million in contributions, plus a university degree. |
| Frontline heroes | People recognised for frontline service. ICP sets the criteria. |
Investors, entrepreneurs and specialised professionals also need health insurance for themselves and their families.
How to apply in Dubai
- Find your route. Match yourself to one of the routes above. ICP’s smart services have an eligibility check.
- Gather the evidence. For example, GDRFA Dubai asks investors for a passport copy plus proof of the investment: a certified financial report from an accredited UAE audit firm and the trade licence for company partners, proof of the deposit, proof of property ownership, or a letter from the Federal Tax Authority for the tax route. Documents issued abroad need attestation first (see our documents guide).
- Apply. In Dubai, apply through GDRFA Dubai’s smart services with UAE PASS, or at an Amer centre. Property applications go through the accredited centres GDRFA names. Outside Dubai, ICP handles the application.
- Medical test, Emirates ID and insurance. As with every UAE residence visa, applicants aged 18 and over take a medical fitness test and pass a security check, and you apply for your Emirates ID.
Sources: GDRFA Dubai: Issuing a golden residence permit (investors); ICP: UAE Golden Residency guide; u.ae: General provisions for the residence visa
Worth knowing before you apply
- Property route in Dubai: GDRFA Dubai places a lien on the property for as long as the permit lasts.
- Public investment route: the invested capital has to be fully owned by you. Borrowed money doesn’t count.
- Company partners: the share is shown with a certified financial report from an accredited UAE audit firm, so keep your company’s books in order.
Sources: GDRFA Dubai: Issuing a golden residence permit (investors); ICP: UAE Golden Residency guide
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Tell us what you do and who you sell to. We reply within one business day with the right next step and the full price before we start.
Sources
Every rule, amount and deadline above comes from these official pages, checked on 4 November 2026. Rules change: we check your case against the latest before you act. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.