The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa introduced by the UAE government in 2019. The Golden Visa offers many benefits and advantages for expatriates choosing to live, work and invest in the UAE long-term. If you are interested in applying for UAE Golden Visa, it is important to be aware of the UAE Golden Visa benefits. Continue to read and we will share the prominent benefits of Dubai Golden Visa.

UAE Golden Visa Eligibility and Validity
The Golden Visa is available to investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents like doctors and engineers, scientists, and outstanding students. It is valid for 5 or 10 years and is renewable.
Investors can get the 5 year Golden Visa if they invest in a UAE property worth at least AED 2 million. The 10 year Golden Visa requires a property investment of at least AED 10 million. Entrepreneurs, specialized professionals, and talents can get the 5 or 10 year visa based on educational qualifications, professional achievements, salary level and other criteria.

UAE Golden Visa Benefits and Advantages
Now you have a basic idea of what the UAE Golden Visa is all about. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the prominent benefits you can get out of it.

• Long-term UAE residency rights for up to 10 years, renewable
• No need for a sponsor or employer sponsorship
• Permission to sponsor family members for 10 years
• Ability to stay outside UAE for unlimited time
• No restriction on working for any employer or company
• Access to educational and health services like UAE citizens
• Allows for complete ownership of business and property in UAE

Long-Term Security and Stability
The Golden Visa offers long-term stability and security to foreigners wishing to live in the UAE long-term. It removes the need for short term visas and eliminates dependency on an employer’s sponsorship. Expats can plan their future in the UAE with peace of mind.

Sponsoring Family Members
With a Golden Visa, expats can sponsor their spouse and children up to 25 years old. Parents can also be sponsored. This allows families to easily stay together in the UAE.

Flexibility to Live and Work
Golden Visa holders can live and work in the UAE with maximum flexibility. They can take up any kind of lawful employment, business, or investment. Switching employers or jobs is easy. Entrepreneurs can launch their own company.

Unrestricted Entry and Exit
Golden Visa holders don’t need approvals before leaving or entering the UAE. They can stay outside the country for an unlimited time. This facilitates business travel and family visits.

Access to Health and Education
Golden Visa holders get access to health and educational services like UAE citizens. Children can enrol in schools and universities. Families get access to public or private healthcare.

Owning Assets and Property
The Golden Visa allows for complete ownership of property and assets in the UAE. Investors can own real estate, land, and commercial property under their name.

Stronger Credit Rating
The Golden Visa strengthens credit rating and eases loan approvals compared to short term visas. It gives banks and financial institutions greater confidence.

Renewable Residency
The Golden Visa is renewable upon expiry for qualified individuals. This allows for extension of UAE residency rights.

Travel Benefits
The Golden Visa offers faster visa processing and simplified entry procedures at airports. UAE visa fees may be reduced or waived. Holders may get preference for UAE visit visas.

Privileged Government Services
Golden Visa holders can get priority access to certain government services like medical care, schools admission, opening bank accounts etc. Exclusive hotlines and offices may be provided.

Who is Eligible for the Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa eligibility criteria is broad encompassing investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, talents, and outstanding students.

• Investors – Real estate investors putting in over AED 2 million get 5 year visa. Investments above AED 10 million give 10 year visa.
• Entrepreneurs – Starting a successful UAE business or being part of its executive leadership can qualify.
• Special Talents – Doctors, scientists, engineers, artists, and cultural leaders may qualify. Educational and salary criteria apply.
• Outstanding Students – UAE university students with a GPA of 3.75 or higher on a scale of 4 qualify.
• Inventors & Researchers – Exceptional creative talents who register intellectual property qualify.
• Frontline Heroes – COVID-19 frontline workers.
• Top executives – Senior corporate executives, managers of multinational companies.

If you are among any of these groups, you can go ahead and apply for UAE Golden visa. Then you can experience all the benefits of Dubai Golden Visa as mentioned above.

How to Apply for the Golden Visa?

Interested applicants should contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) through their website. Detailed documents need to submit including:

• Passport
• Educational qualifications
• Proof of assets/investments/savings
• Current UAE residence visa
• Health insurance
• Recent photographs
• Employment contracts

The ICA reviews each application carefully. Once approved, the Golden Visa is processed and issued within a few weeks.

Comparison to Other UAE Visas

Golden visa is not the only pathway available to get into the UAE. However, it is better to compare it with other UAE visas and check what the best option for you is. The Golden Visa offers more benefits compared to other UAE residence visas like:

• Investor/Partner Visa – Tied to business, losses can lead to cancellation
• Employment Visa – Requires employer sponsorship and permission to change jobs
• Family Visa – Dependent on spouse’s visa, needs renewal
• Student Visa – For full-time students only, needs educational progress
• Retirement Visa – Income support proof needed, for older expats only
• Tourism/Visit Visa – Short term stay, no family sponsorship allowed

The Golden Visa overcomes the limitations of these visas. It offers long-term flexibility to live, work and own assets freely in the UAE.

Final words
The UAE Golden Visa offers valuable long-term residency benefits and advantages to qualified expatriates. It promotes greater stability, security and confidence for foreigners wishing to live in the UAE long-term. With its flexibility and privileges, the Golden Visa aims to attract more global talent, investors, and business innovators to the country.