Though the United Arab Emirates has refuted reports of a lifetime visa-for-money scheme, the Gulf nation is a much sought-after wealth haven. Banasree Purkayastha explains how its Golden visa not only makes it easy for investors to set up a base there, but also for top professionals to call it home
What is the UAE Golden visa?
The golden visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreign talents to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes are among those eligible for the Golden visa. The benefits include an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance, a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five or 10 years and the ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months in order to keep their residence visa valid. There is also the privilege of not needing a sponsor for this visa, the ability to sponsor family members including spouses and children regardless of their age, and the ability to sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers. Family members are permitted to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, if the primary holder of the Golden visa passes away.
The UAE is the only West Asian country featured in the Henley & Partners Opportunity Index 2025 and is ranked seventh with an opportunity score of 67%, boasting top-tier employment and earning prospects.
Investment criteria for this visa
An investor putting in around Rs 4.68 crore (AED two million) in an investment fund accredited in the UAE is eligible for a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor. Alternatively, he can submit a valid commercial licence or industrial licence and a memorandum of association stating that the investor’s capital is not less than AED two million or a letter from the UAE’s Federal Tax Authority stating that he pays the UAE government no less than AED 250,000. Those owning one or more properties in the UAE whose value is not less than AED two million are eligible for a Golden visa for a period of five years. Tech entrepreneurs and startup founders can get a Golden visa for a period of five years if the project value is not less than AED 500,000.
Eligibility criteria for top talent
In a bid to attract global talent in diverse fields, the UAE has extended its Golden visa programme to include doctors, scientists, creative people, inventors, executives, specialists in scientific fields, athletes, doctoral degree holders and specialists in the fields of engineering and science. Outstanding specialised talents in these fields are eligible for a 10-year visa. Those with a valid work contract are eligible for the Golden visa provided they earn a salary of AED 50,000 at least, while innovators and inventors need to be patent holders. Content writers, podcasters, media influencers are also eligible as creative people in the fields of culture and art (visual arts, publishing, performing arts, design and crafts, e-sports and gaming, and media). While high school toppers are eligible for a 5-year Golden visa, outstanding university students graduating with a CGPA not less than 3.5 are eligible for a 10-year visa for further studies in the UAE. Volunteers as well as frontline heroes — nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists — who have displayed extraordinary effort in crises also may get the Golden visa.
Similar visa schemes elsewhere
More than 100 countries offer “golden visas” to wealthy individuals. The United Kingdom had a scheme that offered residency on investment of £1 million. That was later increased to £2 million but was scrapped in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It has been considering introducing an investor visa for people who contribute to “strategically important” areas such as AI, clean energy and life sciences. ”
In Hanley’s Global Residence Program Index, Greece tops the list, followed by Switzerland which combines private residence with Swiss forfait tax provisions. As per the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, the UAE is the world’s leading wealth magnet, with a record net inflow of 9,800-plus millionaires expected this year — over 2,000 more than the US in second place. Its economic resilience, favourable tax policies, and world-class infrastructure are key attractions.
How Trump’s Gold Visa has fared
More than 70,000 people have reportedly shown interest in the United States’ Gold Visa residency programme, since its launch by President Donald Trump in February. A premium alternative to the green card, it requires foreigners to pay $5 million (around Rs 43.5 crore) to the US government. The Trump administration hopes it will ultimately replace the EB-5 immigrant investor programme which requires an investment of $1.05 million. However, legal uncertainties abound as only the US Congress has the right to create new visa categories. The special tax structure per which gold card holders would not have to pay taxes on income earned outside the US is also yet to be finalised. Italian billionaire and stablecoin Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino in April told Financial Times that the success of such visas depended on the tax treatment they afforded.