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Since 2019, the United Arab Emirates has had a new visa program. It is called the UAE Golden Visa. The system allows foreign residents to live, study, and work in the country for up to 10 years. In this way, the UAE tries to simplify the residence of qualified professionals and entrepreneurs and expand their rights and opportunities.

Options for Obtaining the UAE Golden Visa

As the expert of the agency My Golden Visa, Kenley Henderson, points out, the following categories of citizens of other states can get a Golden Visa:

• entrepreneurs;
  
• investors;
  
• inventors, scientists;
  
• qualified professionals – painters, doctors, engineers, etc.;
  
• students and high school students.
  

In the future, the list of UAE Golden Visa applicants will be expanded even further. The government aims to create a community of talented people, creating the best conditions for them to live and develop intellectually and financially.

Application Process for UAE Golden Visa

The application for obtaining is made to one of the following organizations: GDFRA and ICA. In the first case, offline and online applications are accepted; in the second, they are accepted online only.

The online application process through ICA’s Dubai Golden Visa service is as follows:

Visit the official website of the organization.

Go to the “Government Services” section.

Select “Gold visa”.

Fill in all fields and attach the necessary documents.

Pay the fee.
Wait for approval.
Applicants are automatically granted entry permits for up to 6 months until the Gold Visa is finalized.

The application through the GDRFA service is just as easy, fast, and intuitive:

Open the organization’s website.

Get acquainted with the available list of services and select either the “Golden Visa” or the “Investor Residency Visa.”

Select “Start service.”

Fill in the application form and attach documents according to the requirements.

Pay the fee.

One will have to wait for a reply with further instructions. Persons who are already staying in Dubai or another emirate can visit a licensed GDRFA center. The specialists will enter the data into the system, after which a decision will be made on granting a long-term stay permit.

Benefits and Privileges of the UAE Golden Visa

A UAE Golden Visa permit opens up significant opportunities that a successful person cannot afford to miss. Among UAE Golden Visa benefits is passing the driver’s license exam without additional training. It is enough to have a driving license in one’s country. Citizens of Italy, the UK, the USA, Spain, Ireland, Qatar, New Zealand, and 25 other countries can apply for a driving license without additional exams.

Other benefits of obtaining a Golden Visa are:

Discounts for purchasing any real estate built by Imkan Properties (one of the largest developers).

Mortgages with fixed payments and some of the lowest interest rates in the world.

Discount prices for purchasing any vehicles, reservation of the latest models, and special payment terms.

Preferential medical care for all family members, covering treatment costs within the country and abroad.

Tax optimization. There are no capital gains, income, or inheritance taxes in the UAE.

Possibility to apply for citizenship in the future. For this purpose, one must live in the country for 30 years.

Visa holders also have the right to increase the period of stay in the country (up to 10 years with the possibility of extension) and benefits for visiting spas, restaurants, and gyms.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

One must meet the requirements to apply for a Golden visa. These are set for each of the resident categories.

Basic Requirements are:

For investors. Public investments of AED 10,000,000 or more – in a company or investment fund. For investments amounting to AED 5,000,000,000, the maximum visa validity period is five years. Requirements for investors who invest in real estate are similar.

For professionals. Completion of accreditation in the department corresponding to the competence. Doctors must have at least 20 years of practice. For teachers, the previous place of work must be one of the 500 universities, the list of which is approved by the Ministry of Education.

For high school juniors and students. University students have a grade point average of 3.75. High school students must have 95% of their grades excellent.

The long-term visa covers the applicant and their family.

Conclusion

A golden visa is an excellent chance to legally live in one of the most promising countries in the world for ten years. The UAE is the best choice for those who have long dreamed of changing their residence. The permit gives access to all the benefits of infrastructure. One can apply for a visa by oneself, but it is better to get the support of specialized specialists who will help one avoid mistakes.

Published by: Aly Cinco