The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has denied the accuracy of rumours circulated by some local and international media outlets and websites regarding the United Arab Emirates granting lifetime Golden Visas to certain nationalities.
The ICP, in the statement, stated, “all UAE Golden Visa applications are managed exclusively through official government channels within the country, and no internal or external advisory body is considered an approved party in the application process.”
“The categories of golden residence, their conditions and controls are determined in accordance with the UAE laws, legislation and official ministerial decisions,” ICP added, noting: “Those wishing to know the (requirements for UAE Golden Visa) can obtain them through the ICP website or smart application.”
Golden visa is one of the services provided by ICP under which foreign nationals who meet the conditions can apply for a long-term residency for a period of five to ten years.
The ICP stated that they have recently observed press releases produced by a consulting firm (abroad) indicating the possibility of making a request for a “Lifetime UAE Golden Visa.”
The news release was disseminated by several Indian media organizations and a few UAE-based companies, according to the ICP, and was released on Monday, July 7 “without the support of the law or referring to the competent authorities in the UAE”.
“Over the past few days, a wave of excitement swept across media platforms and social channels claiming that the UAE has introduced a lifetime visa program priced at AED 100,000. But here’s the reality check — it’s not. The UAE authorities and immigration departments have officially clarified that no such visa has been introduced. The news was not issued by any government agency. The UAE already has clear, established long-term visa options such as the Golden Visa and Green Visa with well-defined eligibility criteria,” says Jasmeet S Anand, UAE-based Real Estate & Cross-Border Investment Advisor.
The ICP did not identify the source of the alleged unverified press release, but did state that “a legal action will be taken against the entities that launched these rumors in an attempt to obtain money from those wishing to live and reside in the UAE by exploiting their dreams and ambitions in a decent life and a safe and stable living.”
As of now, UAE golden visas are offered under four major categories – As a business investor, As a real estate investor, As an Entrepreneur, and as Outstanding Specialised Talents, including doctors, scientists, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.
As a business and real estate investor, one needs an investment of 2 million dirhams, around Rs 4.67 crore, while the minimum investment as an entrepreneur is 500,000 dirhams, around Rs 1.16 crore.
On Monday, July 7, when the nomination-based UAE Golden Visa was announced, FE Online was skeptical from the start. “But is the path to UAE residence as simple as it sounds? “Getting a UAE Golden Visa for a mere Rs 23 lakh?” is how we responded to the development.
On July 8, FE Online reported on the development and exclusively revealed that the Rs 23 lakh UAE Golden Visa is a marketing gimmick and just’rebranding’.
Today, July 9, ICP, the UAE’s highest immigration body, confirmed that the nomination-based visa news is a rumour.