Residency and visas

Holders of the Golden Visa in the UAE enjoy a 10-year residency with no risk of permit revocation due to extended absences from the country.

Additionally, the Golden Visa grants the privilege to employ up to three housekeepers and drivers, along with simplified procedures for obtaining a driver’s license.

The majority of applicants seek a Golden Visa through investing in UAE real estate valued at 2,000,000 AED (approximately 545,000 USD). Alternatively, eligibility can be achieved by depositing a significant amount of 2,000,000 AED (approximately 545,000 USD) in the UAE bank. Other options include being qualified as an executive or manager with a salary exceeding the established threshold of 30,000 AED (approximately 8,200 USD), possessing specific high qualifications, or demonstrating extraordinary abilities, such as being an athlete or a cultural figure.

You are eligible to apply for a visa if you have paid a minimum of 1,000,000 AED (approximately 270,000 USD) and obtained either a Mortgage Installment Plan from the bank that issued the mortgage or a letter detailing the installment payment schedule from the developer.

Yes, it is possible, but you must submit a legalized and translated marriage certificate into Arabic. Only the spouse who holds the larger share in the property can obtain the Golden Visa, while the other spouse can apply for a family member visa for the same duration.

An application for a Golden Visa can be submitted only if the applicant is present in the UAE. However, the set of documents required for submission, including legalized documents, photos, etc., can be prepared in advance.

Yes, but the total combined value of the properties must be at least AED 2,000,000 (approximately 545,000 USD). For each of the properties, documents certifying ownership must be provided.

Yes, you can apply for a visa if the property has undergone the initial registration process with the Department of Land Development (DLD) and has been assigned an individual registration number (Oqood).

Yes, a Golden Visa holder is eligible to obtain a work permit and enter into an employment contract with one or more employers. Additionally, a Golden Visa holder can become a shareholder in a local company without the need to change its visa to another type.

Most positions, both in the UAE mainland and in the Free Zones, can be held only by qualified professionals. Therefore, applicants should arrange for their higher education diploma to be legalized and translated into Arabic in advance.

It is possible to obtain an entry visa remotely. This option is usually cheaper for the employer in terms of fees. However, in order to issue an

e-work visa and obtain an Emirates ID, the employee must be present in the UAE to undergo medical tests and submit biometrics.

Before hiring new employees, it’s crucial to ensure that the company:

• is registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
• holds a valid Establishment Card
• has up-to-date company details
• faces no prohibitions on hiring new employees
• has a quota available for the specific vacancy
• is connected to the Wage Protection System (WPS – salary transfer system), which is relevant for the UAE mainland and several free zones such as JAFZA and DMCC

All expenses related to the Employee Visa application are the responsibility of the employer. These costs cannot be passed on to the employee in case of termination during or after the probationary period. The employee is responsible for compulsory unemployment insurance and visa costs for family members if the company does not reimburse such expenses.

Initially, the employee signs a job offer and an employment contract provided by the company, which are subsequently uploaded into the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) system for approval. Following this, the employee undergoes medical tests and obtains an Employee Visa. Upon submission of biometric data, the employee is issued an Emirates ID.

Yes, banks will open a salary account after verifying the employee’s Salary Certificate, which should reflect a salary of at least 3,000 AED (approximately 810 USD) per month, and confirming the employee’s absence in sanction lists and other discrediting databases.

Yes, in many cases, it’s possible and even advisable to open a personal bank account using a simplified procedure. However, typically, you cannot apply for an Employee Visa for a shareholder upon the incorporation of a company, as the company is not yet registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) to be eligible for such application. Registering with the MoHRE is only possible after the shareholder has already obtained an Investor Visa.

Investors are recognized as individuals who hold a stake in the share capital of a UAE-registered company in the amount exceeding the established minimum threshold.

Once the company is incorporated, it must be registered with the immigration authority (in free zones the relevant authorities assist with the registration process). Applying for an Investor Visa follows a process similar to applying for an Employee Visa, except for the employment document signing stage.

By default, the visa is issued for 2 years from the date of issuance. The visa can be canceled in case of continuous absence of the investor in the UAE for one calendar year (for an Employee Visa this period is limited to six months).

UAE banks typically request a comprehensive set of documents and additional information during and after the account opening process. This includes verifying the legitimacy of the funds’ origin, which cannot be proven solely through a statement from a sanctioned foreign bank.

Yes, family members of the investor, who holds a Golden Visa, and in most cases, those of an Employee Visa holder as well, have the right to apply for visas for accompanying family members. These visas are issued for the duration of the “main” family member’s visa and depend on its validity.