united arab emirates
golden visa

The Golden visa scheme enables individuals to obtain residency for up to 10 years to increase the UAE’s competitiveness and create an attractive environment for business and growth.

With a UAE Golden visa, eligible individuals can enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• An entry visa valid for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance.
• A long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years.
• No sponsorship requirements.
• The ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months in order to keep the residence visa valid.
• The ability to sponsor family members (including spouses and children regardless of their ages), and unlimited domestic helpers.
• If the primary holder of the Golden visa passes away, their family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.

Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes are among those eligible for the Golden visa. Specific requirements depend on the category you are applying under.

The easiest way to find out if you might be eligible to apply for a UAE Golden visa is to use the online eligibility checker tool here. 

Applications for a UAE Golden visa can be submitted online. As part of the process, you will need to provide your personal information, any required supporting documentation and pay the relevant fees.

The Golden visa application fee may vary depending on the category you are applying for. Please speak to the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters for the latest information on UAE visa fees.

The processing time for a UAE Golden visa may take a few weeks to a month. Please note, the actual processing time remains at the discretion of local authorities and may vary. 

A UAE Golden visa lasts for between 5 and 10 years. It can be renewed, as long as the residence holder still meets the original requirements of the visa.