The UAE Golden Visa for Rs 23 lakh! At a time when the UAE golden visa costs more than Rs 4 crore, news of a Rs 23 lakh golden visa has sparked much discussion on social media and in financial circles.
The UAE Golden visa is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign nationals to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits such as no income tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. But is it available for a mere Rs 23 lakhs?
“The Rs 23 lakh (approx.) nomination-based Golden Visa is not open to everyone simply by paying the fee. It’s not a pay-to-get visa. The fee applies only after an applicant has been successfully nominated and approved by the relevant UAE authority.
Eligibility is merit-based—applicants must meet specific criteria such as professional accomplishments, income levels, or recognition in fields like science, education, entrepreneurship, or digital content creation. So while the cost may appear fixed, access to this visa is selective and subject to approval,” says Paresh Karia, CEO, Acquest Advisors.
According to the UAE government’s official website, currently, there are four categories under which foreigners can apply for the UAE Golden visa – Business investors, Real estate investors, Entrepreneurs, Outstanding Specialised Talents, including doctors, scientists, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.
All of them require investments ranging from Rs 1.16 crore for entrepreneurs to over Rs 4 crore for investors. Other categories include professionals with a Rs 11 lakh salary certificate and students.
PTI report has stirred the hornet’s nest by claiming a new nomination-based immigration route with an investment of only Rs 23 lacs – news has sparked tremendous interest among Indians.
So, is the nomination-based golden visa a new category for foreigners to apply to get UAE residency?
Paresh Karia, CEO, Acquest Advisors shares his view on the ‘nomination-based visa’, which, according to him, is a rebranding and formalization of existing practices.
“While the term ‘nomination-based visa’ may appear new to some, it’s actually a rebranding and formalization of existing practices under the UAE’s Golden Visa framework.
The UAE has long operated a nomination system where select individuals — entrepreneurs, professionals, scientists, creatives, and investors — are recommended for long-term residency by government or semi-government entities based on their achievements or contributions to the economy. What’s different now is the push for more transparency, structure, and wider access to this route.
There may not yet be an official circular or update on the ICP portal about a ‘new launch’, but what we are seeing is a public narrative shift — making the nomination process more mainstream and visible, especially to Indian professionals, business owners, and investors.
In the past, nominations were largely opaque or invitation-only. Now, with clearer parameters emerging for different categories — such as minimum salary brackets, investment amounts, or national-level achievements — eligible applicants can proactively position themselves for nomination, often with the help of authorized entities or local sponsors.
Over the past year, we’ve noticed growing interest in the nomination route — especially among Indian professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking long-term residency in the UAE.
As awareness increases, more individuals are proactively aligning their profiles with the categories that have historically received nominations, such as innovation, entrepreneurship, and specialized talent.
This reflects a broader shift in the UAE’s residency strategy — from asset-based pathways like real estate to merit- and contribution-based models that reward skills, experience, and economic participation.
UAE Golden Visa Minimum Amount
Therefore, no – you may not get a UAE Golden visa for Rs 23 lakhs. That will be needed to get the nomination. You would need to move to the next step post and show your value to the nation’s economy.
As of now, for the business or real estate category, foreigners need to invest in property valued at least AED two million (Rs 4.66 crore), or invest a large amount in business in the country to get the UAE Golden visa.
The nomination-based visa policy for obtaining a UAE Golden Visa will not require any investment in real estate or business. Neither will you be able to get it with crypto investments.
Process to apply for ‘nomination-based visa’
A background check is the first step in the UAE Golden Visa application procedure for those who apply under the nomination category.
This includes performing anti-money laundering screening, looking through the applicant’s social media accounts, and looking up any criminal records.
The assessment also takes into account the applicant’s potential to support the UAE’s economy and society through commerce, professional services, science, finance, culture, or entrepreneurship, among other avenues.
The UAE government then receives the application and uses the nomination to determine whether to grant the visa. Candidates can obtain pre-approval in their native country and will not be required to travel to Dubai for this process.