UAE updates Golden visa eligibility criteria and residency durations

What changed

• The UAE government published updated details on who can get a Golden visa, how long it lasts, and what they must do to qualify.^[1]The table below explains the categories that are eligible for a Golden visa. It also explains the duration of the visa they may get, and the conditions they need to fulfil.

Who this is for

• Investors in public investments or real estate^[1]They can get a long term residence visa for five or ten years depending on their investment type.Investors (in public investments or real estate)
  • They must have a minimum capital of 2 million AED, own property, or contribute to a tax paying business.^[1]Minimum capital of AED 2 million; property ownership or contribution to an establishment paying at least AED 250,000 annually in taxes
• Entrepreneurs^[1]They can get a five year residence visa.Entrepreneurs
  • They must show proof of innovative or technical projects, project value documents, and a letter from an incubator or local authority.^[1]Proof of innovative or technical projects, documents proving project value, letter from a business incubator or relevant authority in the emirate
• People with exceptional talent or rare specialisations^[1]They can get a ten year residence visa.Those with exceptional talent or rare specialisations
  • This group includes doctors, scientists, inventors, creatives, executives, athletes, PhD holders, and scientific or engineering specialists.^[1]Includes doctors, scientists, inventors, creatives in culture & arts, executives, athletes, PhD holders, and specialists in priority scientific and engineering fields
  • They must meet specific requirements like recommendation letters, practical experience, or accredited degrees.^[1]Each subcategory has specific requirements such as recommendation letters, practical experience, or accredited educational degrees
• Outstanding students^[1]They can get a five year or ten year residence visa.Outstanding students
  • High school achievers can get a five year visa, while top university students can get a ten year visa.^[1]5 years for high school achievers
  • They must provide certificates of excellence and recommendation letters from their school or university.^[1]Certificates of excellence, recommendation letters from school or university
• Humanitarian pioneers and Frontline Heroes^[1]They can get a ten year residence visa.Humanitarian pioneers and Frontline Heroes
  • They must provide certificates of appreciation, humanitarian contribution documents, or have served for at least five years.^[1]Certificates of appreciation, humanitarian contribution documentation, or at least 5 years of service

Dates

• 28 Jul 2026 The Golden visa page was updated.^[1]28 Jul 2026

What the page tells you to do

• Applicants can apply for a recommendation if they are creatives.^[1]Apply for a recommendation of a Golden visa (for creatives) - Ministry of Culture

What the page does not say

• The page does not state the application fees for any of the Golden visa categories.
• The page does not specify the exact grades or GPA required for outstanding students.
• The page does not define which specific scientific and engineering fields are considered priority.
• The page does not clarify if current Golden visa holders must meet these requirements to renew their visas.

This reports what an official page says and when it said it. It is not legal advice. The page is the authority; follow the links.