The GOLDEN VISA awaits you!

In 2019, the United Arab Emirates introduced a new type of long-term visa called “Golden Visas,” or “Golden Visas” in French, valid for 10 years.

But who is this new type of visa intended for, and what are the requirements to obtain it?

These new visas, called Golden Visas or long-term visas, were initially intended for scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, investors, and their families in order to attract knowledge and capital to the United Arab Emirates. A few months later, the program was expanded to doctoral students at prestigious universities, exceptional doctors, engineers in specific fields such as biotechnology and information technology, and students graduating with honors from universities accredited by the United Arab Emirates. At present, thousands of visas have been issued to exceptional individuals. This new program was launched in 2019 with a strong message from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum - ruler of Dubai -, who said that these new types of visas are “our way of welcoming all those who seek to be part of the success of the United Arab Emirates” As a general rule, UAE residents receive a visa valid for 2 or 3 years, linked to their employment or to their status as the spouse of an employee in the UAE. But with this Golden Visa, beneficiaries can live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a local sponsor and with 100% ownership of their mainland business (it should be noted that a foreigner wishing to open a business in the mainland must have a local sponsor who holds 51% of the company’s shares, while the remaining 49% belong to the foreign investor and their partners). These Golden Visas are issued for a period of 5 or 10 years and are automatically renewable.

The following categories are eligible to apply for this 10-year visa:

• Investment in the public sector of at least AED 10 million.

  The investment may take several forms, such as:

1. A deposit of at least AED 10 million in an investment fund within the country
2. Establishing a company in the UAE with capital of at least AED 10 million
3. Partnership in an existing or new company with a share value of at least AED 10 million
4. Having a total investment of at least AED 10 million in all the fields mentioned, provided that the investment in sectors other than real estate is not less than 60% of the total investment.

• People with specialized talents 

1. This includes talents and researchers specializing in the fields of science and knowledge, such as doctors, specialists, scientists, and inventors, as well as creative individuals in the fields of culture and art.

The following categories are eligible to apply for this 5-year visa:

• Investment in a property in the UAE

1. The investor must invest in a property with a gross value of at least AED 5 million.
2. The amount invested in real estate must not be based on a loan.
3. The property must be held for at least three years.

• Entrepreneurs

1. This category includes those who have an existing project with minimum capital of AED 500,000, or those who have approval from a business incubator accredited in the country.

• Outstanding students

1. Outstanding students with a minimum grade of 95% in public and private secondary schools
2. University students inside and outside the country with a distinction average of at least 3.75 after graduation.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information: support@merritt.group