UAE Golden Visa

1. Specialist Talents

Skilled Professionals/ Executive Directors

To qualify applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

• Must be employed in the UAE and completed 2 years of continuous service with the current employer.

• Hold a role classified by MOHRE’s occupational classification scheme as follows:
  • Level 1 Classification – Managers & Business Executives.
  • Level 2 Classification – Professionals in the fields of Sciences, Engineering, Health, Education, Business and Management, Information Technology, Law, Sociology, and Culture.
• Minimum educational level of bachelor’s degree or equivalent (legalized for us in the UAE with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and equalized from UAE, Ministry of Education.
• A letter of experience of no less than 5 years holding the same position.
• Minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000 in the UAE.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Company for Golden Visa application.

• UAE bank statement showing salary transfers over the last 6 months.

• Hold a valid Practicing License in the UAE if required (such as Physician, Pharmacist, Teacher etc.).

Those working within one of the following fields may also qualify for a 10-year Outstanding Specialised Talents Golden Visa. To do so they are required to have a letter of approval/recommendation from the associated ministry.

• Medical Professionals and Scientists – Emirates Council of Scientists or a letter from the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid medal for scientific excellence
• Inventors- The Ministry of the Economy (financial audit report is required to confirm investment of minimum 2mil AED)
• Creative People in the Fields of Culture and Art- The Department of Culture
• Athletes- The General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils
• Specialists in engineering and science- The Ministry of Education

2. Investors

 Real Estate Investors

 The Real Estate Investor Golden Visa is a 10 & 2-years visa ideal for those who own or wish to invest in property in the UAE.

To qualify applicants are required to meet the following criteria for a 10 year Golden Visa:

• Own local real estate in which they have invested a minimum AED of 2,000,000 (Multiple properties will be accepted under the applicant’s name).

• If the property is purchased through Developer or Bank mortgage, statement of account from developer or Bank NOC letter.

• Off-plan properties accepted with 50% payment.

• In case the property joint between Husband & Wife, property share must be equal between both parties.

For 2 years Golden Visa

 Own local real estate in which they have invested a minimum AED of 1,000,000.

• If the property is mortgaged, a NOC from the bank / developer is required, along with the property mortgage statement.

• In case the property joint between Husband & Wife, property share must be equal between both parties.

 Investors in Bank Deposit or in Public Investments

An investor is also able to qualify for the Golden Visa through bank deposit or public investments. To qualify investors must provide evidence that they have invested at least AED 2 million in one of the following:

• A letter from the bank confirming AED 2,000,000 fixed deposit for 2 years in a local UAE bank

• A UAE accredited financial deposit or qualifying investment fund
• A UAE based company

Alternatively, applicants can provide:

• Proof that they have made a minimum annual tax payment of AED 250,000 for two years prior to the application.

3. Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs may qualify for a 5-year Golden visa if they own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk & innovation. In addition to this, they must have an approval letter from each of the following:

• An auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than 500,000 dirhams.
• The authorities in the Emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature.
• An accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.

4. Outstanding Students and Graduates

 Students and Graduates who have achieved outstanding results 

• High School Graduates
• Graduates of Universities in the UAE
• Graduates of Universities outside of the UAE

Please contact us for further details of the minimum qualifying requirements.

5. Humanitarian Pioneers

 Pioneers of humanitarian work may also be eligible for a 10-year Golden visa. Please contact us for further details of the minimum qualifying requirements.

6. Front Line Workers

 The Front-line Golden Visa is provided on a recommendation basis only. Nominations are exclusively provided by the ‘Fakhr Al Watan Office’ in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).

7. Outstanding Specialised Talents

If you possess exceptional specialised skills, you may be eligible for a 10-year Golden Visa by fulfilling the following requirements in each respective category:

Doctors and Scientists:

For doctors: You need an approval letter from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE, allowing you to practice medicine.

For scientists: You must have a letter of recommendation from either the Emirates Council of Scientists or the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence, confirming your receipt of the Medal of Scientific Excellence.

Inventors:

You must provide a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy, demonstrating that your patent has contributed significantly to the country’s economy.

Creative Professionals in Culture and Art:

You are required to obtain an approval letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the respective emirate.

Meeting these specific criteria in each category will qualify you for the Golden Visa, granting you residency in the UAE for a period of ten years.

8. For Exceptional Educators in Private Education Institutions in Dubai

A 10- year Golden Visa for outstanding educators who have demonstrated exceptional performance and contributions to the education sector.

WHO CAN APPLY?

• School principals and leaders
• Early childhood centre managers
• Academic heads of higher education institutions
• Teachers (from schools and ECCs)
• Full-time faculty and senior administrative leaders at higher education institutions (HEI)

NOMINATION

Schools, ECCs, and HEIs can nominate eligible staff members who meet all the following criteria.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ECC MANAGERS, PRINCIPALS, AND ACADEMIC HEADS OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEI)

QUALIFICATIONS – FOR HEI ONLY

• Must have an advanced degree (e.g. PhD, professional doctorate, master’s) or relevant professional qualifications (e.g. CPA, professional fellowships).

DSIB RATING – FOR PRINCIPALS ONLY

• Must have improved the school’s rating to Good or better in the Dubai Schools Inspections Bureau annual inspections.
• Must have maintained or further improved this rating.

 RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS – FOR HEI ONLY

• Must provide evidence of contributions to research, including published research in reputable journals, research grants and collaborations, consultative reports, or creative work/exhibitions

STUDENT SUCCESS

• Must provide clear evidence of improved student outcomes, including academic progress, and graduation outcomes.

LEADERSHIP IMPACT AND FEEDBACK

• Positive feedback from students, parents, staff, and other stakeholders about the principal’s leadership and the overall school environment.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

Must have received a prestigious education award, either:

• Must have improved the school’s rating to Good or better in the Dubai Schools Inspections Bureau annual inspections.
• Must have maintained or further improved this rating
• Recognition through grants, competitions, or fellowships

SUPPORT FOR KEY STUDENT GROUPS

Demonstrate clear, measurable improvements:

• Must receive a formal nomination from the school’s board of governors, citing exceptional leadership and specific reasons for the nomination.

NOMINATION FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

• Must receive a formal nomination from the school’s board of governors, citing exceptional leadership and specific reasons for the nomination.

COMMUNITY WORK

• Demonstrate positive contribution to the wider community through educational projects, partnerships, or social initiatives.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR TEACHERS AND FACULTY

Teachers from schools and nurseries, and faculty of higher education institutions are eligible for the Golden Visa based on the following criteria:

QUALIFICATIONS – FOR HEI ONLY

• Must have an advanced degree (e.g. PhD, professional doctorate, master’s) or relevant professional qualifications (e.g. CPA, professional fellowships).

PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

The teacher must provide the following:

• Nomination by principal with board of governors’ approval and endorsement
• Evidence of student success in internal and external examinations and assessments
• Positive feedback from students, parents and school leadership indicating satisfaction with their teaching performance

Faculty of higher education institutions must provide:

• Evidence of contributions to research, including published research in reputable journals, research grants and collaborations, consultative reports, or creative work/exhibitions

SUPPORT FOR KEY STUDENT GROUPS

The teacher must provide evidence of the following:

• Demonstrated success in improving the academic performance of Emirati students
• Demonstrated success in supporting the academic and social development of students of determination

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

Must have received a prestigious education award, either:

• A national education award (e.g. the Hamdan Award or similar)

OR

• An international education award (e.g. the Global Teacher Prize or similar)
• Recognition through grants, competitions, or fellowships

COMMUNITY WORK

• Must have contributed to the school community or the wider community through educational or social initiatives

Sovereign Corporate Services can assist applicants through the full Golden Visa application process and assist clients with their eligibility for a Golden Visa in the UAE. We can advise on the eligibility criteria for each category and assist you to obtain and submit the required documentation.

For further details on our Golden Visa services, please contact us.