The UAE Golden Visa in 2026 is a long-term residency visa that lets you live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a company or employer to sponsor your residency. It comes in 5-year and 10-year versions, is renewable, and covers your immediate family. Here is everything you need to know — How Much…
The UAE Golden Visa in 2026 is a long-term residency visa that lets you live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a company or employer to sponsor your residency. It comes in 5-year and 10-year versions, is renewable, and covers your immediate family. Here is everything you need to know —
How Much Does the UAE Golden Visa Cost in 2026?
| Fee item | Approx. cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Immigration & visa fee | ~2,710 |
| Emirates ID (10-year) | ~1,154 |
| Standard medical fitness test | ~273 |
| Typical total (non-property routes) | ~4,000–5,000 |
| DLD & admin fees (property route only) | ~5,000–5,300 extra |
| Typical total (property route, all-in) | ~8,000–10,000 |
What Is the UAE Golden Visa?
Launched in 2019 and significantly expanded since, the Golden Visa is a self-sponsored residency. The key difference from a standard employment visa:
- You are not tied to an employer. Your residency is independent.
- You can stay outside the UAE for more than six months without losing residency status.
- You can sponsor your spouse, children (sons up to 25, unmarried daughters of any age), and parents for the same residency period.
- You can sponsor domestic staff.
- If a Golden Visa holder dies, family members can remain in the UAE until the visa expires.
Eligibility Categories
1. Investors in Real Estate
- Property value must be at least AED 2,000,000, certified by the relevant land department.
- Applies regardless of outstanding mortgage balance — you do not need to have paid off the property.
- Joint ownership with a spouse counts if the combined value meets the threshold.
- Multiple properties can be combined to reach AED 2 million.
- Grants a 10-year Golden Visa.
2. Investors in Public Investments
- A minimum deposit of AED 2,000,000 in a UAE-accredited investment fund, or
- Establishing a company with capital of at least AED 2,000,000 and paying the required taxes, or
- Partnering in an existing or new company with a capital share of at least AED 2,000,000.
3. Entrepreneurs
- Must own or co-own a startup registered in the UAE.
- The company must be valued at a minimum of AED 500,000, certified by an accredited business incubator.
- Or hold a previous project valued at AED 1,000,000 or above, approved by relevant authorities.
4. Specialised Talents and Professionals
Outstanding professionals (skilled workers) — from January 2026, the basic monthly salary threshold was restored to AED 30,000 (basic pay only, not total package). Applicants must also hold a MoHRE professional level 1 or 2 classification for a minimum of two years.
Scientists and researchers require a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council or equivalent entity. An alternative route: hold a PhD-level position in a UAE research institution.
Doctors and healthcare professionals — those with recognised qualifications and a record of practice in the UAE.
Educators — exceptional teachers in Dubai’s private schools or Ras Al Khaimah-licensed institutions, based on outstanding performance.
Content creators and digital talent — following the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January 2025, Dubai introduced the Creators HQ programme for eligible influencers, podcasters, filmmakers, and visual artists.
Engineers in fields such as software, electronics, and electrical engineering with a valid professional classification.
5. Outstanding Students and Graduates
- High school graduates with a score of 98% or above from UAE institutions.
- University students in UAE institutions with a GPA of 3.8/4.0 or above.
- Graduates from the top 100 universities globally (if meeting GPA criteria within two years of graduation).
- Grants a 5-year visa.
6. Humanitarian Pioneers and Frontline Heroes
Recognised for exceptional contributions to humanitarian causes or crisis response. An application typically requires a recommendation from a relevant federal or local authority.
Benefits at a Glance
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity | 5 years or 10 years (renewable) |
| Employer dependency | None — fully self-sponsored |
| Stay outside UAE | More than 6 months without cancellation |
| Family sponsorship | Spouse, children, parents |
| Domestic staff sponsorship | Yes |
| Business ownership | 100% ownership without local sponsor |
| Emirates ID | Full residency Emirates ID issued |
Fees
| Fee Component | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Government visa fee | AED 2,800 – AED 4,800 |
| Medical examination | AED 500 – AED 700 |
| Emirates ID | AED 370 |
| Typing / service fees | AED 200 – AED 500 |
| Typical total | AED 4,000 – AED 6,500 |
Fees are subject to change — verify current amounts on the ICP Smart Services portal (icp.gov.ae) or the GDRFA Dubai portal (gdrfad.gov.ae) before applying.
How to Apply
Step 1 — Confirm your eligibility category. Determine which track you qualify under and gather the required documents. Some categories require a nomination letter, recommendation, or pre-approval.
Step 2 — Prepare documents. Core documents typically include: a valid passport (6+ months validity), Emirates ID (if already a UAE resident), a passport-sized photo against a white background, and category-specific documents (property title deed, employment contract with salary certificate, academic transcripts, etc.).
Step 3 — Apply online. In Dubai, through the GDRFA Dubai Smart Services platform, using the UAE Pass login. Federal: through the ICP Golden Services portal. Select the Golden Residence service relevant to your category, fill in the form, and upload documents.
Step 4 — Medical examination and biometrics. You must be physically present in the UAE for the mandatory medical examination and Emirates ID biometric registration. This cannot be done remotely.
Step 5 — Pay fees and receive a visa. Fees are paid electronically. The visa is typically issued digitally, and the Emirates ID follows within a few working days.
Important Notes
- The Golden Visa does not lead to UAE citizenship automatically. Citizenship is a separate, highly selective process.
- Renewal requires you to still meet the eligibility criteria of your category at the time of renewal.
- For the real estate route, the property must remain in your ownership to maintain eligibility.
- Always verify current requirements with ICP or GDRFA directly — rules have been updated multiple times since 2019.
FAQ
Is the UAE Golden Visa the same as citizenship?
No. The Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa — it gives you the right to live and work in the UAE, but not UAE citizenship or a UAE passport.
Can I apply for a Golden Visa from outside the UAE?
You can submit the initial application online from abroad, but you must travel to the UAE for the medical examination and Emirates ID biometrics.
What happens to my Golden Visa if I lose my job?
Because the Golden Visa is self-sponsored, losing a job does not cancel your visa. This is one of its core advantages over a standard employment visa.
Can I own a business in the UAE on a Golden Visa?
Yes. Golden Visa holders can own 100% of a UAE company without requiring a local sponsor, for mainland companies as well as free zones.
Which authority do I apply to in Dubai?
In Dubai, applications are processed through GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae). In other emirates, ICP handles applications at the federal level.
