Types of Golden Visa UAE: Guide to Categories, Costs and How to Apply for the Golden Visa UAE

This is a detailed guide including introduction, golden visa eligibility types, costs and fees for all the Golden visa categories, dubai, detailed UAE long-term residency types, and Golden visa benefits comparison. This guide has some experts’ insights for the kinds of Golden visa in UAE and a complete Golden visa list UAE.

What Is the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden Visa is a special long-term residence visa. It lets certain foreign residents stay in the country for many years, usually 5 or 10 years at a time. It was introduced in 2019 to attract people who add strong value to the UAE. The government has announced different Golden visa categories Dubai, such as investors, business owners, doctors, scientists, creators, and top-performing students.

With this visa, they can live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a traditional local sponsor like an employer.

Golden Visa Benefits Comparison

• 5- or 10-year renewable residency without a sponsor or a 6-month stay rule​
• Sponsor spouse, unlimited-age children, parents, and domestic staff (maids/drivers)​
• 100% ownership of mainland businesses, no local partner needed​
• No personal income, capital gains, or inheritance tax​
• Live, work, study freely anywhere in the UAE (Dubai free zones/mainland)​
• Free travel in/out without visa cancellation​
• Esaad/Fazaa discounts (20-50% off flights, hotels, healthcare, schools, utilities)​
• Priority access to top hospitals, education, and banking​
• Emirates ID fast-tracks airports/government services​
• 24/7 consular help abroad via UAE embassies​
• Pairs with DUL for fast Dubai bank accounts and SME savings.

Types of Golden Visa UAE 

Golden Visa for Business Owners

Eligibility Criteria

• You own a UAE company with AED 500,000 paid-up capital or AED 1 million revenue.
• Business must run for at least 2 years with a valid trade license.
• Employ at least 1 UAE national or prove AED 1 million yearly profit.
• Clean criminal record and good health required.
• When it comes to companies in priority sectors like technology, health, & education, approval comes easier.

Required Documents

• Copy of a valid passport (must have at least 6 months’ validity).
• Trade license and company registration documents.
• Bank statements showing at least 500k AED in capital, or 1 million AED in revenue.
• At least 2 years of audited financial statements.
• Current visa and Emirates ID (if in the UAE).
• Police clearance and a medical fitness test.
• National employee contract of the UAE (if applicable).

Costs and Fees

• Visa Application: 2,800 to 3,500 AED.
• Medical Fitness Test: 350 to 750 AED.
• For Emirates ID (valid for 10 years): 1,100 AED.
• For typing or attestation fees: 500 to 1,000 AED.
• Business Document Preparation: 2,000 to 5,000 AED (Optional expert assistance).
• Final Estimate: 7,000 to 12,000 AED (Without the investment of 2 million AED).

Golden Visa for Investors and Professionals

Eligibility Criteria

• For most cases, to have the status of an entrepreneur, you would have to conform to the following criteria:
• Possess a new business or a business idea along with a solid business plan.
• Your business plan has the approval of an incubator, accelerator, or business center in the UAE.
• You have the capacity to at least show AED 500,000 as funding or in capital for your project.
• Your enterprise is either already registered in the UAE or in an approved free zone, or you are in the process of registering it.
• There are no issues regarding your criminal history, and you have no security-related issues either.
• You have the necessary health insurance valid in the UAE, and you pass the necessary health checks.

Documents Needed

• Your passport should have enough validity to meet the travel requirements.
• You have to write a comprehensive business plan that has details about the concept, target market, revenue model, and plans for future expansion of the business.
• You need to show proof of available capital of at least AED 500,000 by presenting documents like letters from investors, funding agreements, and or bank statements.

• Trade licence, initial approval, or registration papers from the mainland or a free zone (if already registered).
• Recent passport-size photos meeting UAE photo standards.
• Medical fitness certificate from an approved UAE medical centre.
• Police clearance certificate from the UAE and/or your home country (as required).
• Health insurance policy valid in the UAE.

Costs and Fees

• Actual costs can vary by emirate and free zone, but you should expect items like:
• Visa application fees, usually in the range of AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 per applicant.
• The fees for medical tests vary from 300 to 800 AED based on the test urgency and type.
• The fee to issue an Emirates ID for multiple years is 1,000 to 1,200 AED.
• The fees for business registration and licensing depend on your business activity and your choice between the mainland and the free zone.

Golden Visa for Company Owners

Eligibility Criteria

• Be the owner of an operational business that is licensed and based in the UAE or in a free zone within the UAE.
• Obtain valid proof of a business trade license and evidence of company capital or investments.
• If your business meets the required threshold, you must be registered and provide proof of VAT payments, returns, or both.
• You must have valid health insurance that covers you in the UAE.
• Must have a cleared criminal history and must pass all required security tests.
• Must be in good health according to the health policies of the UAE.

Required Documents

• A passport that is valid and has adequate length of validity remaining for your intended travel.
• Available trade license for your company that is registered in the mainland or a free zone.
• Proof to support company capital, such as bank statements, audited accounts, or share certificates.  
• Evidence of VAT registration along with any recent VAT returns or payment receipts (if applicable).  
• Valid UAE health insurance certificate bearing your name.  
• Passport-size photographs taken within the last six months, compliant with UAE standards.  
• Medical fitness certificate from one of the accredited UAE medical centres.  
• Police clearance certificate.  

Costs and Fees   

• For a multi-year visa, the visa application cost is generally from AED 3,000 to AED 4,000.  
• Medical test cost is AED 300 to AED 800.  
• Fees for the Emirates ID card used to be AED 1,000 to AED 1,200 for the long-term validity.  
• Fees for company registration, license renewal, and VAT obligations vary from zone to zone and activity to activity.   

Golden Visa for Scientists, Artists, and Creative Leaders  

Eligibility Criteria  

If you want to meet the standards in these specialities, you often are expected to:  

Possess a PhD or a Master’s degree, that is from one of the leading world universities (scientists and researchers).

• Show major achievements like international awards, published research, or breakthrough inventions.
• For artists, directors, and creatives, provide proof of exhibitions, films, or global recognition.
• Get recommendations from the UAE government bodies, universities, or cultural authorities.
• Have a clean criminal record and pass health checks.
• Prove ongoing contributions to the UAE’s science, arts, or culture scene.

Required Documents

• A recent passport with a minimum validity of six months.
• Authenticated copies of your University certificates (PhD, Master’s, and other degrees) and academic transcripts.
• Documented proof of your accomplishments, including but not limited to: awards, research publications, patents, credits for films, or participating in art exhibitions.
• Official reference letters from Creative councils, Universities or Ministries of the UAE.
• Recent passport-sized photos as per UAE specifications.
• Health certificate from a recognized medical facility within the UAE.
• Criminal clearance certificates from your country of origin and the UAE.

Costs and Fees

• Visa application fee: AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 for multi-year approval.
• Medical test fee: AED 300 to AED 800 (normal or express service).
• Emirates ID issuance: AED 1,000 to AED 1,200 for 10-year validity.
• Document attestation and translation fees: AED 500 to AED 2,000.
• Optional consultant fees for recommendations and paperwork: AED 3,000 to AED 7,000.

Healthcare Professionals Golden Visa/Special Talent Golden Visa

Eligibility criteria

• Outstanding academic achievement must be proven, whether your studies were in the UAE or at recognized institutions overseas.
• Typically, candidates have achieved around 95% or above in secondary school or university. And a GPA of about 3.75 or higher in their higher education studies.
• You should have completed a diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree with honors, distinction, or similar high recognition.
• A clean conduct record and good health, proven through security checks and medical tests, are required.

Required documents

• A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity.
• The latest academic certificates and official transcripts. It should clearly show your excellent grades and GPA.
• Proof of enrollment (if still studying) or proof of degree completion, such as a graduation certificate.
• Recent passport-size photos that meet UAE standards.
• A medical fitness certificate issued by an approved UAE medical center.
• A police clearance certificate from the UAE and/or your home country, as required.

Costs and fees

• Visa application fee: usually around AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 for the Outstanding Students Golden Visa.
• Medical fitness test fee: typically between AED 300 and AED 800, depending on the emirate and service speed.
• Emirates ID issuance fee: generally about AED 1,000 to AED 1,200, depending on validity and category.
• Attestation charges for academic documents, if foreign certificates must be attested and legalized.
• Optional consultant or service fees if you use a professional firm or agent to handle your application and paperwork.

Golden Visa for Managerial Positions

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be in a managerial or executive position, with a monthly salary equal to or greater than AED 30,000.
• Having 5 or more years of experience in your applicable field of work is essential.
• Must present a salary certificate, as well as an employment contract that details your position and salary.
• A clean criminal background and passing the health checks.

Required Documents

• A Valid passport copy with a minimum of 6 months of validity.
• An employment contract that explicitly states that you are in a managerial position.
• Provide a salary certificate that indicates you are earning more than AED 30,000 a month.
• Provide proof of at least 5 years of experience in this field, and this can be in the form of either reference letters or a CV.
• Provide recent passport-sized photographs that meet the standards of the UAE.
•  A medical fitness certificate, and this certificate must be acquired from a medical center that is approved in the UAE.

Costs and Fees

• The visa application fee is currently between AED 3,000 to AED 4,000.
• Medical test fee: AED 300 to AED 800, based on location and speed.
• Emirates ID card fee: AED 1,000 to AED 1,200 for multi-year validity.
• Optional consultant or service fees if using a PRO or agent.

Golden Visa for a Fix Deposit of 2 million in UAE local banks

Eligibility criteria

• You must be at least 18 years old and hold a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of application.​
• You need to deposit AED 2,000,000 in a fixed deposit with a bank licensed by the UAE Central Bank and keep the amount unchanged for at least two years; the funds must not be withdrawn or reduced during this period.​
• You must have a clean criminal record, be medically fit, and hold valid UAE‑compliant health insurance.​

Documents Needed

• Valid passport copy (usually with 6+ months validity).​
• Bank fixed‑deposit certificate from a UAE‑licensed bank confirming a deposit of AED 2 million and the lock‑in terms.​
• Recent passport‑size photographs meeting UAE photo standards.​
• Health insurance certificate covering the UAE and a medical fitness certificate issued by an approved UAE medical centre.​
• Police clearance certificate from the UAE and/or country of origin, as required by the authority handling the application.​

Costs and fees

• Visa application fee: usually around AED 3,000 – AED 4,000 for the Golden Visa category.​
• Medical exam fee: typically AED 300 – AED 800, depending on emirate and whether you choose normal or urgent service.​
• Emirates ID issuance fee: generally around AED 1,000 – AED 1,200 for long‑term (up to 10‑year) validity.​
• Investment requirement: a fixed bank deposit of AED 2,000,000 maintained for at least two years is the main eligibility condition.​
• Other costs: possible bank charges, document attestation or translation fees, and optional service or consultancy fees if you use a professional firm to manage the process.

Common Golden Visa Problems & Fixes

There are some common problems with the UAE’s long-term residency types.

Missing or Wrong Papers

Applications get rejected if passports, bank proofs, or investment documents are incomplete or not signed by the UAE offices. 

Fix: Attest all documents at approved centers like MOFA. Upload scans to the ICP portal for pre-check before full submit.​

Property Value Issues

Real estate visas fail if the house drops below AED 2 million or the mortgage isn’t from a UAE bank. 

Fix: Get the official value report from the Dubai Land Department. Choose off-plan properties with developer price guarantees.​

Job or Talent Proofs Lack

Doctors, artists, or pros need special letters from UAE groups like Dubai Culture or MoHRE. 

Fix: Get a nomination or endorsement first. Check the 2025 rules for your job category on the ICP site.​

Long Processing Waits

Takes 3-6 months during busy seasons like year-end. Apply during non-peaks through the ICP Smart Services mobile app. Quick biometrics at typing centers, and check status online every day. ​

Refusals Per Family Member

Children older than their parents are denied due to a lack of complete health insurance. 

Fix: Purchase a policy valid in the UAE that covers at least AED 50,000. Place all family physician documentation in the initial submission with certified translations.

For a better Golden Visa UAE experience, contact Golden Visa Experts in Dubai. They are licensed Business setup consultants in Dubai with over 12+ years of experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions – UAE Golden Visa Options

Q1: Is it true that the Golden Visa permits sponsoring one’s parents without limitation of time?

Golden Visa holders enjoy the privilege of sponsoring their parents for a period of ten years, and there is no age restriction, which is a significant contrast to the standard visa, which has an age cap of sixty.

Q2: Will gamers meet the requirements for the Golden Visa for the UAE in 2025?

The golden visa is provided for a period of ten years to the top players in esports and creators of gaming content through a nomination for talent, and it is worth mentioning that no funding is required.

Q3: What is the required investment amount to be considered a start-up?

For the purpose of obtaining the Golden Visa, an entrepreneur must possess an investment of AED 500,000 in recognized start-up companies in the United Arab Emirates, which an incubator must approve.

Q4: For the purpose of calculating the minimum amount of 2 million AED in real estate, do investments in off-plan properties count?

Yes, therefore, it is confirmed that investments in off-plan properties would be considered as satisfying the requirement of a minimum of 2 million AED to be eligible for the investor golden visa; however, with no 2-year visa, off-plan investments will count toward the golden visa.

Q5: Can the new 2025 categories include nurses and teachers?

Yes. Golden Visa Access is now available for frontline nurses and exceptional teachers due to the New 2025 Golden Visa Categories.

Conclusion

Choose your category from the UAE golden visa options now!

Investors receive AED 2M property and fast-track residency for teaching gamers, nurses and other skilled talents. Every startup needs AED 500K from entrepreneurs. Experts fast-track applications for 10-year residency and family benefits. Unlock Dubai’s golden future and book a free consultation today.

Contact Dubai Golden Visa Experts for a smooth Golden Visa Process!