UAE: What is the Golden Visa?

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

Key Points 

  • Introduced in 2019, the Golden Visa allows a long-term residence pathway for highly talented or skilled individuals  

Overview  

In 2019, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced a new pathway for long-term residence visa holders, known as the Golden Visa. This visa allows foreign nationals to live, work and study in the UAE without the need for employer sponsorship. These visa types have a validity period of five to 10 years and can be renewed automatically. The Golden Visa can be granted for the following categories of applicants: 

  • Inventors; 
  • Entrepreneurs; 
  • Specialized talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge; 
  • Highly talented students with promising scientific capacities 

For additional information concerning eligibility and conditions, click here. The application for the Golden Visa can be found here 

What are the Changes? 

The government of the UAE introduced the Golden Visa in 2019 to provide a long-term residence pathway to entrepreneurs, investors, and individuals holding special talents and skills. In addition, applicants do not require employer sponsorship to be eligible for this visa type.  

Looking Ahead  

Continue to check the government of the UAE’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.  


Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.