The UAE Golden Visa in 2026: routes, requirements and how to apply

Published 19 October 2026 · ATLAS MAISON editorial team

What it is

A long-term, renewable UAE residence visa of five or ten years, without a local sponsor

Property route

Property worth at least AED 2 million; mortgaged and off-plan units may qualify under conditions

Investment route

Minimum capital of AED 2 million in an approved investment or company

Time abroad

Not bound by the usual six-month limit outside the UAE

Family

Holders can sponsor their spouse and children

For many of our clients, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become a second base: a winter home, a regional office, a place to bring the family. The Golden Visa is the long-term residence that makes this simple. It is not citizenship, and it is not a single product: it is a family of routes, each with its own requirements.

What the Golden Visa is

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa, valid for five or ten years and renewable. Unlike an employment or company visa, it does not need a local sponsor, and holders are not bound by the usual rule that residents must not spend more than six consecutive months outside the country. For people who divide the year between Europe and the Gulf, that last point is often the deciding one.

The main routes

Property investors

The best-known route. The official guidance sets a threshold of AED 2 million in property value. Mortgaged and off-plan properties can qualify, subject to conditions set by the land department and the lending bank, and the rules have been adjusted several times in recent years, so the exact conditions should always be confirmed at the time of application.

Investors and business owners

Investors with a minimum capital of AED 2 million in an approved investment fund or a UAE company, and partners in businesses that contribute significantly in taxes, may qualify through the investor route. Entrepreneurs with innovative or technical projects may qualify with the endorsement of a business incubator or a competent authority.

Professionals and talent

Skilled professionals in eligible occupations with a basic monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 and an attested degree are commonly eligible, as are people with exceptional talent: doctors, scientists, executives, creatives, athletes and others, usually through a nomination or recommendation from a recognised authority. Outstanding students have their own route.

Family and household

Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children, and in many cases support staff. For families relocating together, this is where planning matters most: schools, health insurance, a home that works for grandparents as well as children, and the right timing so that everyone’s residence, Emirates ID and medical tests are completed in one well-organised visit. See our guide to relocating to Dubai with a family.

How the application works

Applications are made through the federal Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security authority (ICP) or, for Dubai residents, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), usually online. A typical sequence is: confirm eligibility, assemble and attest the documents, submit the application, complete the medical fitness test and biometrics for the Emirates ID, and receive the visa. A complete file is often processed within a few weeks; government fees depend on the route and the emirate.

Golden Visa and your company

Many clients combine residence with a company: a free zone or mainland licence for a family office, a holding structure or an operating business. The two decisions are linked, because the route you choose affects where you set up and how you document your investment. Our UAE company formation guide compares mainland and free zone options.

What to watch for

Eligibility rules and fees change, and each emirate applies them through its own systems. Be cautious of offers of a "lifetime" or guaranteed visa for a flat fee: residence is granted only by the authorities, never sold by intermediaries. Always confirm current requirements on the official government portals (u.ae and icp.gov.ae) or with a licensed adviser before you commit to a property or an investment.

This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. ATLAS MAISON is not a law firm or immigration adviser; we coordinate the process with licensed professionals, who advise you directly.