What are the routes to a UAE Golden Visa?

There are six paths to the 10-year visa: property investment (AED 2M+ in real estate), business ownership, exceptional talent, science/research/specialised talent, public investment of AED 2M+ in approved funds or bonds, and outstanding students or graduates.

How much property do I need for a UAE Golden Visa?

At least AED 2,000,000 of UAE real estate — owned free of mortgage, or with at least AED 2M already paid in — qualifies for the property-investor route to the 10-year Golden Visa.

How long does the Golden Visa take to process?

It depends on the route: roughly 30 working days (expedited to 10) for the property path, 45–60 for business owners, 60–90 for exceptional talent, and as little as 21 working days for outstanding students.

Does the Golden Visa include my family?

Most routes include spouse and children. The outstanding-students path is the exception — it covers the student only, with family add-ons arranged separately.

Residency

Six paths to the UAE Golden Visa

The 10-year Golden Visa is not a single application — eligibility comes through one of six distinct routes. Each has different thresholds, document requirements, and processing timelines. Match yourself to the right path before you start paying for paperwork.

Quick match

Have AED 2M+ in property? → Property investor
Run a UAE-licensed company? → Business owner
Recognised in arts / sport / digital? → Exceptional talent
PhD or specialist credentials? → Science / research
AED 2M+ in funds / bonds? → Public investment
High-achieving student / graduate? → Outstanding students

The six paths in detail

Property investor

≥ AED 2,000,000

Own UAE real estate worth AED 2M or more, free of mortgage or with at least AED 2M paid in.

Documents required: · Property title deed (DLD)
· Ejari (if leased)
· Valuation certificate
· Passport + Emirates ID
Processing time: 30 working days, expedited 10 days
Fees (typical): AED 9,500 government + ~AED 7,500 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Real-estate-led residency. Bundle with the /calculator/visa-cost flow.

Business owner

Public-investment AED 2M company stake OR licensed entrepreneur

Own a UAE-licensed company with ≥ AED 2M capital, or hold a recognised entrepreneur licence in a free zone.

Documents required: · Trade licence
· MoA / shareholder register
· Audited financials (2y)
· Tax registration certificate
Processing time: 45-60 working days
Fees (typical): AED 11,500 government + ~AED 9,000 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Founders relocating with the company. Bundle with corporate-tax setup.

Exceptional talent

Recognised excellence in arts, culture, sport, digital tech

Nomination by a UAE federal authority (ICCD, Dubai Culture, Mohammed bin Rashid Library) or international award lineage.

Documents required: · Authority nomination letter
· Portfolio of work / awards
· References (3)
· Passport + Emirates ID
Processing time: 60-90 working days
Fees (typical): AED 4,000 government only (PRO often waived)
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Visual artists, athletes, published creatives, top-tier digital creators.

Science / research / specialised talent

PhD or specialist degree from top-100 institution + 5y experience

Research or specialist roles in AI, life sciences, robotics, renewables, with attested credentials.

Documents required: · Academic transcript (MoFA-attested)
· Employment letter from UAE entity
· Recommendations (2)
· Patents / published papers list
Processing time: 30-45 working days
Fees (typical): AED 6,500 government + ~AED 5,000 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Postdocs, research-leads, specialist technologists, attestation-ready academics.

Public investment

≥ AED 2,000,000 in approved investment funds or treasury bonds

Hold an active investment of AED 2M+ in CBUAE-approved funds, bonds, or sovereign instruments, locked for 2 years.

Documents required: · Custody statement
· Bank confirmation of source-of-funds
· Investment fund prospectus
· Passport + Emirates ID
Processing time: 30-45 working days
Fees (typical): AED 9,500 government + ~AED 7,500 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Liquid investors who prefer funds over property. Pairs with corporate-structure setup.

Outstanding students / graduates

≥ 95% Grade 12 average OR ≥ 3.8 GPA at top-100 university

High-school students with 95%+ in UAE-curriculum schools, or university graduates from globally-ranked institutions.

Documents required: · Transcript (school-stamped / university-issued)
· Diploma certificate
· Acceptance letter (if continuing studies)
· Passport
Processing time: 21 working days
Fees (typical): AED 2,500 government (highly subsidised path)
Family included: No — separate dependant applications

Best for: Graduating students staying in UAE for postgrad or entry-level career. Family add-ons sold separately.

Common across all paths

10-year validity. Renewable on continued eligibility — property must still be owned, business still active, etc.
Mandatory health insurance. Required for primary applicant and all included dependants.
Emirates ID + biometrics. All applicants attend a Tasheel / Amer centre in person within 60 days of issuance.
Six-month UAE entry rule does not apply. Unlike standard residency, Golden Visa holders can be outside the UAE for any duration without losing the visa.
Tax-resident certificate eligibility. Holders who spend 183+ days in UAE per calendar year can claim UAE tax-resident certificates from the Federal Tax Authority.

Pair with the property + investor flows

For property-led applications, run the visa-cost calculator and check the investor guide for KYC tier + emirate routing.

Visa-cost calculator Investor guide Affordability calculator

Quick match

Have AED 2M+ in property? → Property investor

Run a UAE-licensed company? → Business owner

Recognised in arts / sport / digital? → Exceptional talent

PhD or specialist credentials? → Science / research

AED 2M+ in funds / bonds? → Public investment

High-achieving student / graduate? → Outstanding students

The six paths in detail

Property investor

≥ AED 2,000,000

Own UAE real estate worth AED 2M or more, free of mortgage or with at least AED 2M paid in.

Documents required: · Property title deed (DLD)
· Ejari (if leased)
· Valuation certificate
· Passport + Emirates ID
Processing time: 30 working days, expedited 10 days
Fees (typical): AED 9,500 government + ~AED 7,500 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Real-estate-led residency. Bundle with the /calculator/visa-cost flow.

Business owner

Public-investment AED 2M company stake OR licensed entrepreneur

Own a UAE-licensed company with ≥ AED 2M capital, or hold a recognised entrepreneur licence in a free zone.

Documents required: · Trade licence
· MoA / shareholder register
· Audited financials (2y)
· Tax registration certificate
Processing time: 45-60 working days
Fees (typical): AED 11,500 government + ~AED 9,000 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Founders relocating with the company. Bundle with corporate-tax setup.

Exceptional talent

Recognised excellence in arts, culture, sport, digital tech

Nomination by a UAE federal authority (ICCD, Dubai Culture, Mohammed bin Rashid Library) or international award lineage.

Documents required: · Authority nomination letter
· Portfolio of work / awards
· References (3)
· Passport + Emirates ID
Processing time: 60-90 working days
Fees (typical): AED 4,000 government only (PRO often waived)
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Visual artists, athletes, published creatives, top-tier digital creators.

Science / research / specialised talent

PhD or specialist degree from top-100 institution + 5y experience

Research or specialist roles in AI, life sciences, robotics, renewables, with attested credentials.

Documents required: · Academic transcript (MoFA-attested)
· Employment letter from UAE entity
· Recommendations (2)
· Patents / published papers list
Processing time: 30-45 working days
Fees (typical): AED 6,500 government + ~AED 5,000 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Postdocs, research-leads, specialist technologists, attestation-ready academics.

Public investment

≥ AED 2,000,000 in approved investment funds or treasury bonds

Hold an active investment of AED 2M+ in CBUAE-approved funds, bonds, or sovereign instruments, locked for 2 years.

Documents required: · Custody statement
· Bank confirmation of source-of-funds
· Investment fund prospectus
· Passport + Emirates ID
Processing time: 30-45 working days
Fees (typical): AED 9,500 government + ~AED 7,500 PRO
Family included: Yes — spouse + children + parents

Best for: Liquid investors who prefer funds over property. Pairs with corporate-structure setup.

Outstanding students / graduates

≥ 95% Grade 12 average OR ≥ 3.8 GPA at top-100 university

High-school students with 95%+ in UAE-curriculum schools, or university graduates from globally-ranked institutions.

Documents required: · Transcript (school-stamped / university-issued)
· Diploma certificate
· Acceptance letter (if continuing studies)
· Passport
Processing time: 21 working days
Fees (typical): AED 2,500 government (highly subsidised path)
Family included: No — separate dependant applications

Best for: Graduating students staying in UAE for postgrad or entry-level career. Family add-ons sold separately.

Common across all paths

10-year validity. Renewable on continued eligibility — property must still be owned, business still active, etc.

Mandatory health insurance. Required for primary applicant and all included dependants.

Emirates ID + biometrics. All applicants attend a Tasheel / Amer centre in person within 60 days of issuance.

Six-month UAE entry rule does not apply. Unlike standard residency, Golden Visa holders can be outside the UAE for any duration without losing the visa.

Tax-resident certificate eligibility. Holders who spend 183+ days in UAE per calendar year can claim UAE tax-resident certificates from the Federal Tax Authority.