UAE will implement golden visa scheme effective from Feb 3, 2019 offering long term residence permits to  real estate owners, investors, entrepreneurs, special talents according to the official announcement by the UAE government. The new system enables the expatriate residents to live, work and study in the UAE without the need of a national sponsor and with 100% ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland.

1. Investors in a property in the UAE

5 year visa  without sponsor

Granting a visa is subject to the following conditions:

• The investor must invest in a property of a gross value of not less than AED 5 million.
• The amount invested in real estate must not be on loan basis.
• The property must be retained for a least 3 years.

2. Investors in public investments of at least AED 10 million

The investment may take many forms such as:

• A deposit of at least AED 10 million in an investment fund inside the country
• Establishing a company in the UAE with a capital of not less than AED 10 million
• Partnering in an existing or a new company with a share value of not less than AED10 million
• Having a total investment of not less than AED 10 million in all areas mentioned, on condition that the investment in sectors other than real estate is not less than 60 per cent of the total investment. 

  Granting a visa is subject to the following conditions:

• The amount invested must not be loaned.
• The investment should be retained for a least three years.
• There should be a financial solvency up to AED 10 million.Visa can be extended to include business partners, on the condition that each partner contributes AED 10 million. The long-term visa could include the spouse and children, as well as one executive director and one advisor. Investors from abroad may apply for a multiple-entry permit for a six-month period.

3. Entrepreneurs

This category includes those having an existing project with a minimum capital of AED 500,000, or those who have the approval of an accredited business incubator in the country. The entrepreneur is allowed a multi-entry visa for six months, renewable for another six months. The long-term visa includes the spouse and children, a partner and three executives.

All visas are renewed automatically.