Short answer
The UAE Golden Visa grants 10-year renewable residency without a local sponsor. In 2026 the practical routes are property investment from AED 2 million, public investment, entrepreneurs with an approved project, specialised talent, outstanding students, and senior professionals meeting a salary and qualification threshold.
Categories and core evidence
Each route is judged on a small set of documents. Prepare these first:
- Property investors: title deed of AED 2 million or more, valuation certificate, passport and Emirates ID
- Entrepreneurs: approval from an accredited business incubator or auditor-certified project value
- Specialised talent: accredited qualification, employment contract, and an authority recommendation letter
- Senior professionals: bachelor's degree or higher, valid work contract, and a monthly salary meeting the threshold
Timeline
Nomination review takes 10 to 30 working days. Once approved you receive an entry permit, complete a medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, then the residence is issued. Most delays come from unattested degrees or valuations older than the accepted window.
Common rejection reasons
Rejections are usually procedural, not substantive.
- Degree certificate not attested by MOFA UAE
- Property held jointly below the individual threshold
- Mismatch between passport name spelling and title deed
- Unpaid fines or an active immigration file elsewhere
Rules and fees change without notice. Confirm your specific case with us before you pay anything — we check the current authority requirement the same day.