Quick answer
The UAE Golden visa requires a minimum investment of AED 2,000,000. Government processing typically takes 7–10 working days (Dubai). A spouse and dependants can usually be included in one application. There is no minimum stay requirement.
At a glance
- Minimum investment
- AED 2,000,000
- Government minimum, before official costs.
- Processing time
- 7–10 working days (Dubai)
- Typical timeline once a complete file is submitted.
- Visa-free destinations
- 180
- Destinations without a prior visa. Access can change.
- Family inclusion
- Yes
- Check which dependants qualify before you apply.
- Residency requirement
- No minimum stay
- Minimum time in the country to keep your status.
Official sources: Golden visa application: investor (accessed 1 October 2026); Golden visa (accessed 1 October 2026); Request for golden visa (investor) (accessed 21 October 2026); Golden visa (accessed 21 October 2026)
Last reviewed 1 October 2026 by Citizen Sure editorial team
Figures are pending review by a qualified adviser. Always confirm current rules with the official source before investing.
Service fees are not shown here: your adviser prepares a written quote for your family and route. Government and due diligence fees are paid to the authority.
The UAE Golden Visa route grants a residence permit to investors who make a qualifying investment and meet the eligibility and background-check requirements. It is designed for families who want a lawful base in UAE while keeping their existing nationality. Key facts at a glance: minimum investment from AED 2,000,000; typical processing time 2–4 weeks; stay requirement: no minimum stay; travel document access to 180 destinations without a visa in advance. Spouses and children can usually be included, subject to the programme's dependant rules. Every application is reviewed against source-of-funds and source-of-wealth evidence, police records and international screening databases. Preparing clean, certified and translated documents up front is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays. Programme rules, investment thresholds and government fees change frequently. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice — confirm the current requirements with a qualified adviser before you commit funds.
Is this programme right for you?
The UAE Golden visa tends to suit applicants when most of these apply.
- You can commit at least AED 2,000,000 to a qualifying investment
- You can plan around a processing time of 7–10 working days (Dubai)
- You want your spouse and children in the same application
- You do not plan to live there full time
Investment options
Official minimums for each qualifying route. Government and third-party costs are listed as estimates and change with family size.
Who is eligible
- Main applicant aged 18 or over
- Clean criminal record and successful due diligence checks
- Lawful, documented source of funds
Property investors need one or more wholly owned properties worth at least AED 2 million at purchase; a mortgaged property needs a bank no objection letter. Golden visa holders may stay outside the UAE for longer than the usual six month limit.
What the authority asks for
- Valid passport
- Title deed or e-title deed showing property worth at least AED 2 million
- Recent personal photo
- Emirates ID and current UAE residence permit, if held
- Bank no objection letter showing the amount paid and balance, for a mortgaged property
- Health insurance, plus certified marriage and birth certificates for sponsored family
- Attendance in person in the UAE; representatives cannot apply on your behalf
Family members
- Spouse or partner
- Children under 18
- Adult children in full-time study
Holders can sponsor their spouse and children. Parents can be sponsored with a certified dependency certificate. Unmarried children over 18 need an undertaking that they are unmarried.
Timeline
Typical steps from first call to approval.
Eligibility assessment
We review your goals, family profile and source of wealth, and confirm which investment options fit.
Documents and due diligence
We prepare certified, translated documents and pre-screen the file against the government's checks.
Investment and submission
You complete the qualifying investment through regulated channels and the application is filed.
Approval and issuance
After approval, permits or passports are issued and we plan renewals and next steps with you.
The Dubai Land Department lists 7 to 10 business days for the property investor golden visa. The applicant must be in the UAE and attend in person.
Documents checklist
The core documents most applicants prepare. Your adviser gives you the complete list for your nationality and family.
- Valid passport for every applicant
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Police clearance from countries of residence
- Proof of address
- Source of funds and source of wealth evidence
- Bank reference letters
- Medical certificate and health insurance where required
- Certified translations and apostilles
Benefits
Lawful residence
A residence permit in UAE for you and your family.
Light presence rules
Stay requirement: no minimum stay.
Family inclusion
Spouses and children can usually be included in one application.
180
Visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations
Open the visa-free mapTax overview
This jurisdiction offers tax advantages to new residents.
General information only, pending review by a tax adviser. Your tax position depends on where you are resident, not only on your new status.
Renewal and citizenship path
The permit is renewed at set intervals while you keep the qualifying investment. Permanent residence or citizenship may follow under national law, usually after longer residence and integration requirements.
Confirm the current renewal terms with the official source before you commit.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- 10-year renewable residence
- Spouse, children and parents can be sponsored
- No minimum stay; holders can be outside the UAE for more than six months
Things to weigh
- Residence only, not citizenship
- In Dubai the applicant must be in the UAE when applying
Risks and due diligence
Plan for these points before you transfer any funds.
- The main applicant and adult dependants go through background and source of funds checks.
- Applications can be refused, and some investment routes are not refundable.
- Thresholds, rules and visa free access can change at short notice.
- Work only with licensed agents and verify property or fund titles independently.
Investing through property?
Our property partners can show developments that qualify for this route. Ask your adviser before you commit to any purchase.
Not sure this is the right route?
Answer a few questions and see which programmes fit your budget, family and timeline.
How it compares
| Programme | Minimum investment | Processing time | Visa-free destinations | Residency requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Golden visa | AED 2,000,000 | 7–10 working days (Dubai) | 180 | No minimum stay |
| Greece Golden visa | €400,000+ | 3–6 months | 186 | No minimum stay |
| Portugal Golden visa | €500,000 | 6–8 months | 186 | 7 days/yr |
| Jordan Citizenship by investment | From JOD 500,000 | 3–6 months | 52 | No minimum stay |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for the UAE Golden visa?
The official minimum is AED 2,000,000. Government, due diligence and third-party costs are extra and depend on family size.
How long does the UAE Golden visa take?
Government processing typically takes 7–10 working days (Dubai) once a complete application is filed. Preparing documents usually adds a few weeks.
Can I include my family?
Yes. A spouse and dependent children can usually be included; some programmes also accept dependent parents.
Do I need to live there?
No minimum stay is required to obtain or keep the status.
Do I get my investment back?
It depends on the route. Contributions are not refundable. With property, bond, deposit or fund routes you keep the asset and can usually sell or redeem it after the holding period.
How many destinations can UAE Golden visa holders visit without a visa?
180 destinations, based on current published data. Access can change, so check before you travel.
Does UAE Golden visa make me tax resident?
Holding the status alone does not make you tax resident. Tax residence depends on where you live and on each country's rules, so take independent tax advice.
Can UAE Golden visa lead to citizenship?
The permit is renewed at set intervals while you keep the qualifying investment. Permanent residence or citizenship may follow under national law, usually after longer residence and integration requirements. Confirm the current renewal terms with the official source before you commit.
What checks are part of a UAE Golden visa application?
The main applicant and adult dependants go through background and source of funds checks. Applications can be refused, and some investment routes are not refundable.
Explore further
Related programmes, guides and tools for the UAE Golden visa.