United Arab Emirates Residence by Investment

The United Arab Emirates residence by investment program provides foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals with long-term residency in a global business hub. Through the UAE Golden Visa, applicants gain access to world-class infrastructure, a favorable tax regime, and a secure lifestyle for their families. UAE Residence by Investment allows foreign nationals to make an investment into the country and apply for a residence permit, also known as a UAE golden visa.

• Investment: Minimum investment of AED 1 million (approximately USD 280,000) for investors aged 55 and over (5-year visa), or AED 2 million (approximately USD 550,000) for investors of any age (10-year visa)
• Key benefit: The right to live in any of the seven emirates of the UAE

UAE Residence by Investment

The UAE is one of the most attractive business destinations worldwide. UAE Residence by Investment is aimed at providing long-term residence to foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals including specialists, students, and researchers who make a significant investment to the country.

Benefits of a UAE Golden Visa

• Gateway to Africa and the Middle East, Asia, and Europe due to the country’s strategic geographic positioning
• Safe, secure environment
• High standard of services and good quality of life
• Excellent schools that cater for international students
• Applicant’s spouse and unmarried children of any age may be added at no additional investment
• Among the top 30 countries in the world for ease of doing business
• Favorable tax regime for investors — with no personal income, capital, net worth, or withholding tax (except for those levied in the domestic banking and oil sectors), and several double-tax treaties in place
• Good value from real estate investments
• Streamlined, efficient residence permit system
• Member state of the United Nations, the Gulf Co-operation Council, and the Arab League

UAE Golden Visa Requirements

There are numerous categories of beneficiaries for the UAE’s Golden Residence visa, including real estate investors who, depending on their age, may qualify for a 5-year or 10-year renewable residence visa by purchasing one of the following:

• A property worth a minimum of AED 1 million (approximately USD 280,000) for investors aged 55 and over (5-year visa) or a property worth a minimum of AED 2 million (approximately USD 550,000) for investors of any age (10-year visa)
• A property worth a minimum of AED 2 million (approximately USD 550,000) with a loan from specific local banks for investors of any age (10-year visa)
• One or more off-plan properties worth a minimum of AED 2 million (approximately USD 550,000) from approved local real estate companies for investors of any age (10-year visa)

Procedures for the UAE Golden Visa

Applications for UAE residence must include completed application forms and should be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents. Golden Residence visas are valid for either 5 or 10 years and can be renewed thereafter. Residing outside the UAE does not nullify the visa. Investments must be held for at least three years.

Once the initial due diligence checks have been completed and the retainer paid, then the application for UAE residence can be submitted to the government.

Once the requirements have been fulfilled, pending initial approval of the application, the successful applicant receives a six-month multiple-entry visa and travels to the UAE to apply for an ID card and undergo a medical check. Thereafter, full approval is granted and the client receives the residence visa.