The United Arab Emirates has just loosened the rules for its coveted Golden Visa and Indians on social media are having a moment. From dreams of migration and tax relief to party banter and backup plans, the new policy has sparked a lively (and occasionally snarky) online debate.
Originally launched in 2019 to attract high-net-worth individuals, the Golden Visa has now gone inclusive. With a fresh nomination-based approach, it’s no longer just billionaires and boardroom honchos who can apply. Teachers, nurses, YouTubers, podcasters, e-sports champs, content creators and even luxury yacht owners can now apply for the visa.
Now available for AED 100,000 (around Rs 23.3 lakh), the visa offers lifetime residency and has initially been rolled out for Indian and Bangladeshi citizens, who make up a significant chunk of the UAE’s expat population. Expansion to other CEPA partner countries is expected soon.
And just like that, X lit up.
One user quipped, “The UAE is giving Golden Visa for Rs 23 lakhs and taxpayers are celebrating like they won a lottery. Shows just how hopeless things feel for Indian taxpayers.”
Another chimed in, “It’s not about leaving India. It’s about having a plan B, a global mobility card—and let’s be honest, something fancy to drop at dinner parties.” A user on X said, “This could be a game-changer for Indian expats—no property purchase, family included, and you don’t even have to live there. ~Rs 23L seems steep but worth it for long-term flexibility.”
While some lauded the scheme as a “game-changer” for Indian professionals, others sounded cautionary notes. “This is a pilot; if abused, it’ll be revoked instantly,” warned one post. A more enthusiastic user, meanwhile, gushed, “The quality of life, zero income tax, clean cities, law and order—it’s everything Indian HNIs are dreaming of.”
In 2022, India and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), laying the groundwork for more relaxed cross-border policies like this one.
So is the Golden Visa the ultimate status symbol, an escape hatch or just smart planning? Depends who you ask. But one thing’s for sure: when a lifetime residency costs less than a suburban Mumbai flat, people are bound to talk.