The UAE Golden Visa requirements depend on the category under which you apply. In 2026, the official Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) guidance lists eligibility routes for investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and specialists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and first-line-of-defense professionals. Most applicants must prove that they meet the specific conditions for their category and provide documents such as a passport, personal photo, and evidence of eligibility.
The Golden Residency is a long-term UAE residence programme that does not require a traditional sponsor. Eligible applicants can live, work, study, or invest in the UAE, with family sponsorship benefits available under the applicable rules.
UAE Golden Visa Requirements at a Glance
| Category | Main requirement |
| Public investment | Investment or qualifying company interest of at least AED 2 million, subject to conditions |
| Real estate investment | UAE property or qualifying off-plan units worth at least AED 2 million |
| Entrepreneurs | Qualifying UAE SME, approved business idea, or qualifying previous venture |
| Skilled professionals | Senior occupational level, UAE work permit, bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and at least AED 30,000 monthly salary |
| Scientists and researchers | Significant achievements and recommendation from the relevant authority |
| Exceptional talents | Recognised achievements in areas such as arts, culture, sports, innovation, or digital technology |
| Outstanding UAE students | High academic performance and qualifying UAE school or university credentials |
| Graduates of international universities | Top-100 university, minimum 3.5 GPA, and graduation within the previous two years |
| Humanitarian pioneers | Qualifying humanitarian service, awards, volunteering, or substantial financial support |
| First Line of Defence | Eligibility through the relevant competent authority |
These categories come from the current ICP Golden Residency guidance. The exact evidence varies between categories, so meeting one general requirement does not automatically qualify an applicant.
What Is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa, formally referred to by ICP as Golden Residency, is a long-term residence programmed for eligible foreign nationals. It is designed for investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, exceptional talents, humanitarian contributors, and other qualifying groups.
One major feature is that Golden Residency does not depend on a conventional local sponsor. Eligible applicants outside the UAE may also receive a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable for another six months, to complete residence procedures.
UAE Golden Visa Requirements for Investors
Investors can qualify through public investments or qualifying real estate investments.
Public Investment Requirements
For public investments, ICP lists several qualifying routes, including:
- A financial deposit of at least AED 2 million with an investment fund or national bank operating in the UAE.
- Establishing a UAE company or establishment with capital of at least AED 2 million.
- Holding a financial share of at least AED 2 million in an existing or newly established company.
- Owning a company that pays at least AED 250,000 annually in qualifying federal taxes.
The invested capital must be fully owned by the applicant and cannot come from a loan. Applicants must provide evidence showing the source and ownership of the capital.
Real Estate Golden Visa Requirements
Real estate investors generally need a minimum property value of AED 2 million.
An applicant can qualify by:
- Owning one or more UAE properties with a combined value of at least AED 2 million.
- Having ownership registered in the applicant’s name.
- Using financing from an approved local bank where the property is financed through a loan.
- Purchasing qualifying off-plan property units worth at least AED 2 million from an approved local real estate company.
Property ownership must be properly documented, and supporting evidence from the relevant real estate registration authority may be required.
Golden Visa Requirements for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs have several possible routes under the current ICP framework.
An applicant may qualify by owning or partnering in a UAE-registered entrepreneurial venture that:
- Is classified as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
- Operates in an approved field.
- Generates annual revenue of at least AED 1 million.
Another route applies when an applicant receives approval for an entrepreneurial business idea from an accredited business incubator, the Ministry of Economy, ICP, or the relevant local authority.
ICP also lists a route for founders or co-founders of entrepreneurial ventures that were previously sold for a combined value of at least AED 7 million.
Golden Visa Requirements for Skilled Professionals
Skilled professionals can qualify under the specialised-professional route if they meet the required occupational and employment conditions.
ICP requires:
- A valid UAE work permit.
- A valid and approved employment contract.
- At least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- A monthly salary of at least AED 30,000, or its equivalent.
- A qualifying senior occupational level under the classification approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The AED 30,000 salary requirement is not a general Golden Visa requirement for everyone. It applies specifically to the specialised-professional route.
Golden Visa Requirements for Scientists and Researchers
Scientists and researchers may qualify when they have significant achievements and high impact in their field. ICP states that this route requires a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council.
Other specialist categories can also require recommendations from the relevant authority, including leading scientists, healthcare specialists, education specialists, and specialists in industry and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Golden Visa Requirements for Exceptional Talents
Exceptional talents can qualify without following an investment route. The current framework includes areas such as:
- Culture and arts
- Innovation and invention
- Sports
- Digital technology
- Other fields considered important by relevant government authorities
The required evidence depends on the applicant’s field. Applicants may need recognised awards, professional achievements, published or distributed creative work, or recognition from relevant organisations or authorities.
Golden Visa Requirements for Outstanding Students
Outstanding students have separate requirements based on their educational background.
UAE Secondary School Students
A qualifying student must:
- Hold a Grade 12 certificate from a government or licensed private school.
- Achieve at least 95%, or an equivalent result.
- Have the certificate attested by the Ministry of Education.
Graduates of UAE Universities
Graduates can qualify if they:
- Hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a licensed UAE university.
- Graduated from a Category A or Category B university under the approved classification.
- Have their academic qualification attested.
- Apply within two years of graduation.
- Meet the applicable GPA requirement.
ICP currently lists a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 for Category A universities and 3.8 out of 4.0 for Category B universities.
Graduates of International Universities
Graduates from outside the UAE generally need:
- A university ranked among the top 100 universities globally under the ranking recognised by the Ministry of Education.
- A bachelor’s degree GPA of at least 3.5, or equivalent.
- Graduation within the previous two years.
- An academic qualification attested by the Ministry of Education.
Golden Visa Requirements for Humanitarian Pioneers
Humanitarian pioneers may qualify through recognised humanitarian contributions.
ICP lists applicants who:
- Have worked for international or regional organisations for at least five years.
- Have worked for public-benefit associations or non-profit organisations for at least five years.
- Provide financial support for humanitarian work of at least AED 2 million, or the equivalent.
- Hold a university degree.
Applicants may need evidence showing their humanitarian service, contribution, recognition, or financial support.
Golden Visa Requirements for First-Line-of-Defence Professionals
The UAE Golden Residency framework also includes the First Line of Defence category. Eligibility can depend on recognition or recommendation by the relevant competent authority.
This category is different from the normal skilled-professional route and is not simply based on the AED 30,000 salary requirement.
Common Documents for a UAE Golden Visa Application
The exact document list depends on the category, but applicants commonly need:
- Valid passport.
- Recent personal photograph.
- Documents proving Golden Residency eligibility.
- Category-specific certificates, approvals, recommendations, investment evidence, property documents, employment documents, or academic credentials.
- Valid UAE health insurance where required.
Applicants should not assume that the document requirements for one Golden Visa category apply to another.
Passport Validity and Medical Requirements
ICP service pages commonly require a passport valid for at least six months.
Applicants aged 18 and above for UAE residence visas must also undergo a medical fitness test and pass a security check before completing the residence process. The exact medical and Emirates ID procedures can depend on the application route and emirate.
How to Apply for the UAE Golden Visa
The application process generally follows these steps:
- Identify your eligibility category. Determine whether you qualify as an investor, entrepreneur, professional, student, graduate, exceptional talent, humanitarian pioneer, or another eligible category.
- Collect proof of eligibility. Prepare documents showing your investment, property ownership, salary, employment, academic achievement, business activity, or professional recognition.
- Apply through the appropriate authority. ICP provides Golden Residency services, while applicants in Dubai may use the relevant Dubai residency authority.
- Submit supporting documents. Upload your passport, photograph, and category-specific evidence.
- Complete any nomination or recommendation requirement. Some specialist and talent categories require approval or recommendation from a competent authority.
- Complete residence procedures. This may include medical fitness, Emirates ID, insurance, and other formalities.
Final Takeaway
The UAE Golden Visa requirements in 2026 are not based on one single qualification. The UAE provides different routes for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, scientists, exceptional talents, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and first-line-of-defence professionals.
The most commonly discussed thresholds include AED 2 million for qualifying investment or real estate routes, AED 30,000 monthly salary for the specialised-professional route, 95% for qualifying secondary-school students, and specific GPA and university-ranking requirements for outstanding graduates. Other categories depend on professional achievements, government recommendations, business performance, or humanitarian contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is available to eligible investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, exceptional talents, outstanding students and graduates, scientists, humanitarian pioneers, and first-line-of-defence professionals. Each category has specific requirements.
Can I get a Golden Visa in the UAE if my salary is above AED 30,000?
Yes, you may qualify through the specialised-professional route if your salary is at least AED 30,000 per month and you meet the other requirements, including the required qualification, employment contract, work permit, and occupational level.
How much money is required for a UAE Golden Visa?
For major investment and real-estate routes, the current requirement is generally AED 2 million, subject to category-specific conditions. However, applicants can also qualify through professional, academic, talent, and other non-investment routes.
