UAE Golden Visa Requirements: Who Is Eligible?

The UAE Golden Visa is a 5- or 10-year residence visa that lets you sponsor yourself and your family, with no employer needed. It isn’t only for investors: entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, doctors, teachers, students, and creatives can all qualify. 

Below, we break down the UAE Golden Visa requirements for each category, including salary, property and investment thresholds, required documents, and how it compares with the Blue Visa. That way, you can quickly check whether you’re eligible. 

What Is the UAE Golden Visa? 

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that lets foreign nationals live, work, study, or run a business in the UAE. It was introduced in 2019 to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled talent.  

It’s issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), or by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. 

Key Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa 

• 5- or 10-year validity. Far longer than the usual two-year residence visa, and renewable; 

• Self-sponsorship. Your residency isn’t tied to an employer, so changing jobs doesn’t put it at risk; 

• Family sponsorship. You can sponsor your spouse and children; 

• Freedom to travel. You can stay outside the UAE for more than six months without your visa being cancelled. 

Which validity period you receive and what you need to qualify both depend on your category. Each one is explained in this guide. 

UAE Golden Visa Requirements at a Glance

The table below compares every Golden Visa category side by side, showing the minimum you need to qualify and how long your visa will last. 

Golden Visa rules are updated regularly, and the right choice depends on your individual circumstances. Our team tracks every change and can assess your eligibility, so you can apply under the category that gives you the strongest chance of approval. Contact us today to book a free consultation.  

Investors and Property Owners  

Investment is the most popular way to secure a Golden Visa, and there are two ways to qualify: putting capital into a UAE business or fund, or buying property. 

Golden Visa Through Public Investment 

This option suits investors who put money into the UAE economy rather than into real estate. You can qualify in any one of these ways: 

• Investment fund deposit. At least AED 2 million deposited in an investment fund approved in the UAE; 

• Company capital. A valid commercial or industrial license showing your capital contribution is at least AED 2 million; 

• Partnership shares. A stake worth at least AED 2 million in a new or existing company, not financed by a loan; 

• Tax contribution. Ownership of a company that pays at least AED 250,000 a year in taxes, confirmed by the Federal Tax Authority. 

Golden Visa Through Property Investment 

Property owners qualify by holding real estate worth at least AED 2 million, registered with the land department of the emirate where it’s located. The 2026 rule changes made this far more flexible: 

• Multiple properties. You can combine the value of several properties to reach the threshold; 

• Mortgaged property. It can count toward the AED 2 million, with a no-objection certificate from your bank; 

• Off-plan property. Units bought from approved developers can qualify. 

Keep in mind that the visa is tied to your investment. If you sell the qualifying property, you’ll need to replace it with another one that meets the threshold, or your visa may not be renewed. 

How mortgaged and off-plan units are valued differs between emirates and developers. Our team can review your property portfolio and confirm whether it qualifies before you apply. 

Entrepreneurs and Business Owners 

You don’t need millions in capital to qualify as an entrepreneur. The UAE rewards innovation, so the focus here is on the potential of your project rather than on how much you’ve invested. 

You’re likely to be eligible if your business meets at least one of these conditions: 

• Project value. A UAE-registered auditor confirms your project is worth at least AED 500,000; 

• Innovation. The relevant authority in your emirate confirms the project is technical or future-focused; 

• Incubator backing. An accredited UAE business incubator approves your proposed activity. 

Alongside your approval letter, you’ll need a valid passport, health insurance valid for at least a year, and proof of residence in the UAE, such as a tenancy contract or title deed. 

Already running an established company? You can qualify as an investor instead, through your company’s capital or its annual tax contribution, as covered in the investor section above. 

If you haven’t set up your business yet, getting the structure right from the start should be your main focus, as it will make a huge difference down the line. Selecting a suitable business structure, the correct type of business license, and a strong business plan all strengthen your Golden Visa application.

You can check our step-by-step guide on how to get a UAE Golden Visa as an entrepreneur. 

Skilled Professionals and Salary Requirements  

Imagine two managers who both earn AED 35,000 a month. One qualifies for a Golden Visa and the other doesn’t. The difference is how their salary is split. Since May 2024, only your basic salary counts toward the requirement, and housing, transport, and other allowances are excluded. To qualify as a skilled professional, you’ll need: 

Your application will also need a salary certificate from your employer and bank statements for the last six months showing the salary being paid. 

Why Salary-Based Golden Visa Applications Get Rejected 

You should keep in mind that earning above the threshold doesn’t guarantee approval. The most common reasons applications fall through are the following: 

• Allowances included. The total package clears AED 30,000, but the basic salary on the contract doesn’t; 

• Role not classified. The job title isn’t recognized as skill level 1 or 2; 

• Missing records. The salary can’t be traced through MOHRE or the free zone’s official records; 

• Unattested degree. The qualification hasn’t been attested or given equivalency. 

Many of these problems can be fixed before you apply, for example by restructuring your contract with your employer or getting your degree attested. Our PRO services team can review your documents and flag any gaps before your application is submitted. 

Golden Visa for Teachers, Nurses, and Doctors 

Healthcare and education are UAE priority sectors, and professionals in both can qualify without meeting the salary threshold. 

Golden Visa for Doctors 

Doctors qualify based on their license, not their income. You’ll need a valid practicing license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DOH), or the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). You will also need a legalized medical degree, an employment contract, and a no-objection certificate from your employer. In addition, doctors who got their training abroad will need a UAE license before applying. 

Golden Visa for Teachers in Dubai 

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) offers a dedicated Golden Visa for outstanding educators. It’s open to: 

• Teachers at private schools and early childhood centers; 

• School principals and early childhood center managers; 

• Full-time faculty and academic heads at KHDA-licensed universities. 

Applicants are judged on their impact, including improved student results, raised teaching quality, and recognition from the education community. Your institution nominates you through KHDA, during a window that opens each year from mid-October to mid-December. 

Golden Visa for Nurses 

Nurses and midwives employed by Dubai Health with more than 15 years of service are eligible for the Golden Visa. Nurses elsewhere can qualify as skilled professionals or, in Abu Dhabi, as health specialists endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DOH). In every case, a valid UAE nursing license is essential. 

Outstanding Students and Graduates 

Hard work at school or university can pay off in an unexpected way: a UAE Golden Visa. No job, investment, or sponsor is needed, and there are three ways for students to qualify. 

• High school graduates need a final score of at least 95% from a public or licensed private school in the UAE, with the certificate attested by the Ministry of Education. 
• UAE university graduates need a bachelor’s degree from a Ministry of Education-accredited university, earned within the last two years. The required GPA depends on the university’s classification: at least 3.5 for Class A universities and 3.8 for Class B. 
• International graduates can also qualify with a GPA of at least 3.5 from a top 100 global university, as recognized by the Ministry of Education, provided they graduated within the last two years. 

To apply for the Golden Visa as a student, you submit your attested certificates and transcripts through ICP, or GDRFA in Dubai, usually with a recommendation from the Ministry of Education or your university. 

Creatives, Scientists, and Other Exceptional Talent 

Not every Golden Visa comes down to numbers. If you’ve built a reputation in your field, whether in art, science, or sport, that reputation could just be enough to qualify you. Instead of a salary figure, what matters is recognition from the people who know your field best. 

If you’re an artist, writer, filmmaker, or designer, your case rests on an endorsement from the Ministry of Culture or your emirate’s culture department. Scientists usually need a nomination from the UAE Council for Scientists, and inventors a recommendation from the Ministry of Economy, often backed by a registered patent. On the other hand, athletes are put forward by the General Sports Authority or a local sports council. 

Finally, PhD holders and specialists in priority fields such as Artificial Intelligence, big data, software engineering, biotechnology, and epidemiology can qualify too, with an attested degree and a UAE employment contract in their specialism. 

Documents Required for the UAE Golden Visa 

Your supporting evidence depends on your category, but almost every application starts with the same core paperwork: 

• A passport valid for at least six months; 

• A recent passport-size photo with a white background; 

• A copy of your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, if you already live here; 

• Health insurance valid in the UAE; 

• Proof of address, such as a tenancy contract or title deed; 

• A medical fitness test, completed once your application is approved. 

On top of these, you’ll need the proof that qualifies you: a title deed, a salary certificate, a practicing license, or a nomination letter, depending on your category. 

Golden Visa vs. Blue Visa  

The Blue Visa is the UAE’s newest long-term residency, launched in 2025, and it’s easy to confuse with the Golden Visa, so here’s a quick breakdown. Both offer self-sponsored, long-term residency, but they reward very different things. 

FAQs  

Can I sponsor my family on a Golden Visa?

Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children. Outstanding students on a Golden Visa can also sponsor their parents and siblings, subject to ICP conditions. 

Can I get a Golden Visa with a salary of AED 30,000?

Yes, if AED 30,000 is your basic salary. Allowances don’t count toward the threshold. You’ll also need a bachelor’s degree and a role classified at MOHRE skill level 1 or 2. 

Does off-plan property qualify for the Golden Visa?

It can. Off-plan units from approved developers count toward the AED 2 million threshold, and you can combine several properties to reach it. How the value is assessed varies by emirate and developer, so it’s worth having your property reviewed before you apply. 

How long is the UAE Golden Visa valid? 

It’s valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on your category, and it can be renewed as long as you still meet the requirements. 

Can I get a Golden Visa without investing?

Yes. Skilled professionals, doctors, outstanding students, creatives, scientists, and several other groups qualify through their salary, qualifications, or achievements. No investment is required. 

Do I lose my Golden Visa if I change jobs?

No. The Golden Visa is self-sponsored, so your residency isn’t tied to your employer. If you qualified through salary, though, your next role should also meet the criteria when you come to renew. 

What happens if I sell the property my visa is based on?

You’ll need to replace it with another property, or properties, worth at least AED 2 million. If you don’t, your visa will not be renewed. 

Can I stay outside the UAE for long periods?

Yes. Unlike a standard residence visa, the Golden Visa stays valid even if you spend more than six months outside the country. 

Conclusion 

Whether you’re an investor, a doctor, a top graduate, or somewhere in between, there’s a good chance a Golden Visa category fits you. The challenge is choosing the correct one and getting every document right the first time. 

That’s where we come in. Wealth Tellers handles everything from eligibility checks to your final submission, so you can focus on building your future in the UAE. 

Book a free consultation and find out which category you qualify for.