The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency programme designed to attract qualified professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and extraordinary talent.
This visa system is part of the UAE’s efforts to enhance economic development, foster innovation, and establish the country as an attractive destination for top talent and investors from around the world.
The following are the key features and benefits of the UAE Golden Visa:
The UAE Golden Visa offers 5-10 years of residency in the UAE, which is much longer than ordinary visas. It automatically renews with the same terms.
It caters to a wide range of individuals, including public investment and real estate investors, entrepreneurs, special talents such as scientists, artists, doctors, and engineers, and exceptional students.
No Sponsorship required: Unlike other visa types, Golden Visa holders do not need a national sponsor. This allows for greater autonomy and ease of living and working in the UAE.
100% Business Ownership: The visa permits foreign people to own 100% of their firms on the UAE’s mainland, which is consistent with the country’s goal of encouraging economic growth and entrepreneurial activity.
Family Inclusion: Golden Visa holders can sponsor family members, including spouses and children of all ages, as well as domestic workers, ensuring stability and family unity.
Entry and Stay Flexibility: It allows for a longer grace period of up to 6 months to stay outside the UAE without losing visa status, providing greater flexibility for international travel or living arrangements.
Benefits of the UAE the Golden Visa
The golden visa provides long-term residency, ensuring stability and security for individuals and families living, working, and studying in the UAE.
Attracts Talent and Investment: By providing incentives such as long-term residency, the programme hopes to attract skilled professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs who will contribute to the country’s economic diversification and expansion.
Enhances Lifestyle and Opportunities: Recipients will benefit from the UAE’s high standard of living, safety, and cultural diversity, as well as access to world-class healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Facilitates Ease of Doing Business: The visa encourages entrepreneurship and investment in the UAE by providing benefits such as 100% ownership of mainland businesses and a simplified process for business setup and operations.
The UAE Golden Visa is a strategic move to strengthen the country’s position as a global hub for talent, innovation, and investment, with the goal of encouraging long-term collaboration between the UAE and international professionals and investors.
What attestation certificates are needed for the UAE golden visa?
For the UAE Golden Visa application, certain documents need to be attested to prove their authenticity and legality. Attestation is a process that certifies the genuineness of documents issued from other countries, making them valid for use in the UAE. While the specific attestation requirements may vary based on the category under which you are applying (e.g., investor, entrepreneur, special talent, student), some common documents typically require attestation:
Common Documents Requiring Attestation for UAE Golden Visa Applications:
Educational Certificates: For special talents, students, and some entrepreneurs, educational documents such as degrees, diplomas, and academic transcripts must be attested. This is particularly relevant for individuals applying as researchers, scientists, or those claiming exceptional skills based on their academic achievements.
Professional Certificates: Certificates proving professional qualifications, including membership certificates from professional bodies, licences, and other credentials, especially for doctors, engineers, and other professionals.
Personal Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other personal documents may need attestation for family visa sponsorship under the Golden Visa scheme.
Commercial Documents: For investors and entrepreneurs, documents related to the business, such as trade licences, partnership agreements, and financial statements, might require attestation. This proves the legality and financial stability of the business entity they are involved with.
Police Clearance Certificate: Although not an attestation of a certificate in the traditional sense, a police clearance certificate (also known as a good conduct certificate) is often required to prove the applicant has no criminal record. It may need to be attested by the relevant authorities in the country of issuance before being accepted in the UAE.
Attestation Process Overview:
The attestation process typically involves several steps and varies depending on the country where the document was issued. Generally, it includes:
Authentication by the Issuing Country: The document is first authenticated by the relevant authority in the country where it was issued. This could be an educational institution, a government department, or a professional organisation.
Legalisation by the Foreign Ministry:Â The Foreign Affairs Ministry or a comparable organisation in the issuing country must legalise the document after initial authentication.
Attestation by the UAE Embassy:Â The UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country of issuance then attests the document, confirming its authenticity for use in the UAE.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC): MOFA Attestation must attest the document as the last step to certify its validity once it has arrived in the UAE.
Important Considerations:
Translation: Non-Arabic documents should be legally translated into Arabic before the final attestation step in the UAE, as the UAE official language is Arabic.
Professional Assistance: Given the complexity of the attestation process, especially for documents issued in different countries, applicants may benefit from engaging professional attestation services to ensure all requirements are met efficiently.
Ensuring that all required documents are properly attested is crucial for the successful processing of your UAE Golden Visa application.
It’s advisable to check the latest guidelines from the UAE government or consult with a professional service to confirm the exact certificate attestation requirements for your specific Golden Visa category.
What are the steps to apply for UAE Golden Visa?
Applying for the UAE Golden Visa is a multi-step process designed to attract investors, entrepreneurs, special talents, and students by providing long-term residency. Below is a step-by-step guide to applying for the UAE Golden Visa:
Step One: Determine Eligibility.
First, determine whether you qualify for the Golden Visa under one of the eligible categories:
Investors (in real estate and public investments)
Entrepreneurs
Special talents (such as scientists, artists, doctors, and professionals in different fields)
Outstanding students and graduates.
Step 2: Gather the required documents.
Prepare the necessary documents according to your category. Commonly needed documents include:
Passport copy
Passport-sized photographs
Current visa (if you already reside in the UAE)
Evidence of eligibility (investment documents, business licences, recognition certificates, academic accomplishments, etc.)
Attested educational and professional certificates, where applicable.
Step 3: Submit an application.
There are two main ways to apply:
Through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA):
Visit the ICA’s official website or download its mobile app.
Fill out the application form and upload all the required documents.
Pay your processing fees.
Through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs (GDRFA):
This option is primarily for applicants based in Dubai.
To submit your application, visit the GDRFA’s website or download its mobile app.
Attach all the required documentation and pay the fees.
Step 4: Application Review
After submission, your application will be reviewed. This may include security checks, document verification, and eligibility determination based on the evidence provided.
Step 5: approval and visa issuance.
Once approved, you may be required to undergo additional procedures, such as a medical examination and biometric data collection in the UAE. After meeting these requirements, the Golden Visa will be issued, and your passport will be stamped accordingly.
Step 6: Sponsor family members.
If applicable, the Golden Visa allows you to sponsor family members such as spouses, children, and parents. You must provide the necessary documentation for each family member you wish to sponsor.
Additional Tips:
Stay up-to-date: Because the UAE’s visa policies are subject to change, it is critical to check the most recent requirements and procedures. Use Professional Services: Hire a professional visa consultant or legal advisor, especially if your case involves complex investment scenarios or you require assistance with document attestation. Prepare financially: Be aware of the fees associated with the application process, such as visa fees, document attestation charges, and any consulting fees if you use professional services. The UAE Golden Visa programme provides a path to long-term residency for those who can significantly contribute to the country’s economy and cultural landscape. By taking these steps and preparing thoroughly, applicants can navigate the process more easily and increase their chances of success.
