The UAE Golden Visa: What the Published Criteria Say

You have read the UAE Government Portal, a GDRFA Dubai service page and a Dubai Land Department page about the golden visa. They do not give the same validity for the same category.

Here is the short answer. The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) publishes a golden visa table with five categories: investors, entrepreneurs, people with exceptional talent or rare specialisations, outstanding students, and humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes. Each category has its own evidence. Some depend on a nomination or recommendation from a body other than the issuing authority. This article does not assess anyone's eligibility.

For the full range of residence routes, including the green visa and family residence, start with the guide to UAE residence visa types.

Eligibility is determined by the relevant UAE authority. This article describes published requirements and is not immigration advice.

Criteria published by authorities in other emirates were not reviewed.

The category table on u.ae

The u.ae golden visa page, updated on 28 July 2026 and read on 20 September 2026, publishes a category table. Its footer reads "Source: ICP". The rows below reproduce its wording.

For the talent row, the page adds: "Each subcategory has specific requirements such as recommendation letters, practical experience, or accredited educational degrees".

The same page describes "a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years" and lists "the privilege of not needing a sponsor" among the benefits.

The UAE Legislation portal lists Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022 "Issuing the Executive Regulations of Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021 Concerning the Entry and Residence of Foreigners", with the status "Active". Its annex regulates golden residence permits. Article 6 of the annex lists seven categories where the u.ae table has five: "Investors", "Entrepreneurs", "Brilliant talented persons", "Scientists and specialists", "Excellent students and graduates", "Pioneers of humanitarian work" and "The first line of defense".

The annex quotes in this article come from the English PDF on the UAE Legislation portal, which states that the Arabic text prevails. The portal lists six amendments to the resolution and does not say whether the PDF reflects them, so confirm any annex point with ICP.

Where the official pages differ

Differences found on official pages reviewed on 20 September 2026:

If your file touches a row, ask the issuing authority which wording it applies.

The detailed criteria, category by category

The detail sits on the issuing and nominating authorities' pages. All GDRFA Dubai pages below were checked on 20 September 2026.

Investors

GDRFA Dubai's investors page lists these criteria across its terms and requirements. Ask GDRFA Dubai how they combine:

• "An investor or partner in a company within the UAE with a value of no less than AED 2 million"
• "Ownership of one or more properties with a value of no less than AED 2,000,000"
• "Provide proof of ownership of a financial deposit of no less than AED 2,000,000 in a local bank in UAE"
• "A letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor is a partner in one or more establishments and pays tax to the government, with his/her tax contribution amounting to no less than AED 250,000 annually"

The same page states: "The property value must be certified by a property status statement certificate issued by the Dubai Land Department." It adds that "mortgaged property is acceptable". The Dubai Land Department's investor service states: "The property may be mortgaged". It asks for a no-objection letter from the bank showing the paid amount and the balance. Resolution 65's annex, Article 8, on real estate "wholly owned by the Investor", continues: "It may be a loan, on condition that the loan is from one of the local banks determined by the Competent Local Authority".

The Dubai Land Department's investor service (site updated 8 September 2026) refers to a property whose "purchase value" is "equal to or more than 2 million AED at the time of purchase".

Entrepreneurs

GDRFA Dubai's entrepreneurs page lists these criteria under "Terms And Conditions". Ask GDRFA Dubai how they combine:

• "The entrepreneur must have a pioneering project registered with the Ministry of Economy or relevant local authorities, with an annual income of AED 1 million."
• "The entrepreneur must have a pioneering project from a business incubator or the Ministry of Economy, establishing a business in the country, with an income of AED 2 million."
• "The entrepreneur must have founded a pioneering project that was sold for no less than AED 7 million."

The page asks for "A letter of nomination from the Dubai Future Authority" and states that "This category is nominated by the Dubai Future Foundation". It uses both names, so ask GDRFA Dubai which body issues the letter.

Resolution 65's annex, Article 10, refers to "a comprehensive health insurance for himself and his family members, valid at the time of applying for the Golden Residence Permit or in accordance with the terms set by the Competent Local Authority."

Exceptional talent, including creatives

GDRFA Dubai's "Talented Geniuses" page covers "people of culture and art, innovators and inventors, athletes, and talents in the field of digital technology". Its nominating bodies include "the Ministry of Culture, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, or the Emirates Media Council" and "the Ministry of Sports or the Dubai Sports Council".

For creatives, u.ae links "Apply for a recommendation of a Golden visa (for creatives)". The Ministry of Culture page linked from u.ae (mcy.gov.ae) lists its own criteria and states that applying for its recommendation "is free of charge and there are no fees."

That page sends media applicants to "the National Media Council website", while GDRFA Dubai names the "Emirates Media Council". Confirm the media nominating body with GDRFA Dubai.

Scientists and specialists

GDRFA Dubai's specialised scientists page covers "scientists and researchers, industrial specialists, healthcare specialists, educational specialists, and skilled workers". It names nomination letters from "the UAE Scientists Council", "the Ministry of Health and Prevention or the relevant local authorities" and "the Ministry of Education or relevant local authorities".

For skilled workers, the same page lists six conditions under "Terms And Conditions":

• "He/ She must have a work permit in the country based on a valid employment contract."
• "He/ She must be a skilled worker at the first or second professional level, according to the professional classification approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation."
• "The minimum educational level must be a bachelor's degree or equivalent (the applicant must provide a certificate of recognition of the academic qualification from the Ministry of Education)."
• "The salary must not be less than A monthly salary of approximately AED 30,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies."
• "The applicant must have a valid license to practice a profession requiring this: physician, pharmacist, teacher, etc."
• "The applicant must have valid comprehensive health insurance for himself and his family members when applying for the Golden Residency, or in accordance with the applicable regulations of the competent local authority."

Outstanding students and graduates

GDRFA Dubai's top students page lists, among its criteria:

• "He/ She must have a high school GPA of at least 95%, or its equivalent."
• "For Classification A, the cumulative GPA must be at least 3.5, and for Classification B, the cumulative GPA must be at least 3.8"
• "The university's ranking must be at least among the top 100 universities in the world"
• "Attaching the approval of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (UAEICP)"

Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes

GDRFA Dubai's humanitarian pioneers page lists criteria including:

• "To be a member of international or regional organizations, or a specialized employee therein, for a period of no less than five (5) years"
• "To have a university degree"

It names "the Ministry of Community Empowerment" as the competent authority for approval. We did not find the permit's validity in years on that page.

For frontline heroes, ICP's GITEX 2024 page refers to "Golden Visa for the frontline medical and health workforce." GDRFA Dubai's frontline service page returned only its general catalogue when we tried to read it on 20 September 2026.

What the published pages say the permit carries

The u.ae golden visa page lists "the ability to sponsor family members, including spouses and children". It also lists "the ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months needed to keep their residence visa valid".

The u.ae page on general residence provisions (updated 13 July 2026) sets the general rule: "If an expatriate resident lives outside the UAE for more than 180 days continuously, his/her residence visa will be nullified automatically." On its service "Entry permit for residents staying outside the UAE for over 6 months", the page states: "Holders of golden visa and green residency do not need to apply for this service, as they can enter the country directly at any time as long as their residency is valid."

Resolution 65's annex, Article 3, adds a point we did not find on the u.ae or ICP pages reviewed: "The Foreigner who holds Golden Residence Permit may recruit Domestic Service Workers in accordance with his financial solvency".

For family members, see the breakdown of family visa costs. Employers advising a senior hire can use the HR guide to employee family visa support.

Common misreadings, checked against the published wording

1. "5 or 10 years" means the applicant chooses. The u.ae table attaches a validity to each category, and other official pages differ for three of them. Ask the issuing authority.

2. The "Main Requirements" column is the document list. It is a summary. ICP's Issuing Residency Permit service asks for "Proof of eligibility for the Golden Residence according to the category being applied for." GDRFA Dubai's pages add nominations, letters and approvals that the table does not name.

3. The date on a page does not matter. An older ICP page, last updated on 27 July 2021, is still online. Check the date on a page before you rely on it.

4. The u.ae wording sets a golden-specific maximum time abroad. The u.ae wording is "more than the usual period of six months". We did not find a golden-specific maximum period abroad on the u.ae or ICP pages reviewed on 20 September 2026. Ask ICP or GDRFA Dubai before a long absence.

5. The eligibility link is the application. u.ae lists "Check your eligibility for Golden visa" separately from "eServices related to Golden visa". Resolution 65's annex refers to approval by "the Competent Authorities".

What ICP's service lists, and who decides

ICP's Issuing Residency Permit service (last updated 11 December 2024) lists "Passport valid for no less than 6 months" and "Meeting the Golden Residence requirements according to the selected category."

Article 6 of Resolution 65's annex states: "The ICA may, after the approval of the Competent Authorities, as the case may be, grant the Foreigner who meets the requirements Golden Residence Permit within the following categories". Article 1 describes a long-term Residence Permit "for a period of (10) ten years". The issuing authority decides each permit, and each nominating body decides whether to nominate or recommend.

Practical asset: the evidence matrix and gap worksheet

Practical asset: the category and evidence matrix. Fill in the last column with what you hold, document by document. It records published wording and your evidence; it does not estimate eligibility.

Evidence-gap worksheet.

1. Write the category in the exact words of the u.ae table.
2. Against each quoted criterion, write the document you hold, its issuer and its date, or mark it "to obtain" or "to ask about". Mark nothing as met.
3. Note which nomination, recommendation or approval letter the page names, and from which body.
4. If your file touches a row of the differences table, write the question for the issuing authority.
5. For a degree issued abroad, ask the authority what form it accepts. The document attestation guide sets out the published attestation chain.

If you use a provider

The u.ae page on visa fraud (updated 6 October 2025) carries a general warning, not one specific to golden visas. It states that people seeking to enter the UAE for work, visit, investment or residence "may be exposed to fraudulent activities involving employment contracts or entry visas."

If you are comparing firms, the PRO provider due-diligence checklist sets out what to ask for in writing.

Information verified against official sources on 20 September 2026.

If you want support with a golden visa file, contact RINJAZ to confirm availability, scope and quotation. RINJAZ cannot assess eligibility; the authority decides. RINJAZ is a privately licensed UAE service provider. It is not a government entity and does not act for any authority. A provider's role, within whatever its licensed activity covers, is to prepare documents, submit them through the correct channel and track progress. ICP, GDRFA Dubai and the nominating bodies decide on each nomination and each permit, and no provider can promise the outcome.