Today's Edition
ANUPAM VARMA (ALETIHAD)
Launched in 2019, the Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit that allows foreign talents to live, work or study in the UAE for up to 10 years.
What are the benefits?
> An entry visa for six months with multiple entries allowed to proceed with residence issuance
> A long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years
> The visa holder does not need a sponsor
> The visa holder can stay outside the UAE for longer than six months at a stretch
> It allows the visa holder to sponsor family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages
> One can sponsor an unlimited number of domestic helpers
> If the holder of the Golden Visa passes away, the permit for family members to stay in the UAE remains until the end of their permit duration
Who can apply?
Abu Dhabi is a hub for several high-growth sectors such as creative industries, research and development, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, and is also a thriving ecosystem for startups. The Abu Dhabi Golden Visa programme offers long-term residency to talented professionals such as doctors, scientists, inventors, real estate investors, entrepreneurs, athletes and creatives.
Investors
Both real estate and non-real estate investors are eligible to apply. Applicants in both categories can get a 10-year visa.
In case of real estate investors, the property shall be wholly owned by the applicant and shall be habitable. At the same time, the applicant shall have a monthly income of not less than Dh10,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency. Otherwise, the applicant shall prove his financial solvency throughout his stay in the state.
Non-real estate investors should fulfil either of the following criteria: They must have investments with a minimum value of Dh2 million in the form of a deposit or a company; or they must have proof of tax payment for a minimum amount of Dh250,000 per year for 2 years prior to the application. For example, if the investor owns 25 per cent of shares in a company which pays annual taxes amounting to Dh1,000,000, then the investor needs to provide proof of paying Dh250,000 per year to qualify for the visa.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs who fulfil either of the following categories are eligible for a 10-year visa:
(a) They should be an owner or partner who has obtained an approval for the concept of a pioneering business project by an approved business incubator or the Ministry of Economy or ICP or a competent local authority to establish the proposed activity in the UAE
(b) Or, they should be an owner or partner in a business project within the sectors approved by the Ministry of Economy or ICP or a competent local authority. The business project must be classified as an SME achieving an annual revenue of no less than Dh1,000,000
(c) Or, they should be a founder or one of the founders of a previous project/projects that was/were sold with a total value of no less than Dh7,000,000 subject to the approval of the Ministry of Economy or ICP or a competent local authority.
Brilliant talents
This category includes athletes and exceptional talents in other fields such as digital technology, arts and culture, as well as innovators and inventors.
Athletes applying for this visa should demonstrate outstanding athletic talent and achievements. Or they could hold a leading position in an international sports federation, committee, or organisation. Outstanding sports physicians can also apply.
Other exceptional talents will need to provide a recommendation letter by a relevant federal or local competent authority.
Talents in the digital technology category should have a recommendation from Emirates Council for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transactions or a local competent authority.
Those applying in the arts and culture category should have received local, regional or global recognition for their exceptional work. They should hold a certificate or an internationally recognised award in their field. They may also hold an honorary position in a local, regional or international entity as a result of their achievements.
The Golden Visa for innovators and inventors is for those who want to bring innovation and novel ideas to Abu Dhabi and the world.
Applicants will need to either hold a patent certificate which adds value to the state’s economy, or a recommendation from the Ministry of Economy or Competitiveness Office Abu Dhabi.
Specialists
This category includes scientists and researchers, senior scholars and clerks, specialists in industry and 4th Industrial Revolution, specialists in the health field, education, and skilled professionals.
Scientists and researchers applying for the visa should hold a Master’s or PhD degree in engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences as classified by the Ministry of Education. They may also hold a PhD from one of the top 500 universities in the world, or a Master’s from one of the top 250 universities in the world. Alternatively, they may hold either a Master’s or PhD from one of the top 100 universities specialised in the field of the study.
They may also have achievements in establishing research and development sectors inside and outside the UAE, based on the recommendation by the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology.
Applicants from the research and development sector should have a Master’s or PhD degree in engineering, technology, life and natural sciences. They should also have achievements in establishing research and development sectors in science and technology inside or outside the UAE.
Senior scholars and clerks applying for the visa will need a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Culture & Youth or a competent local authority.
Specialists in industry or 4th Industrial Revolution will need to present a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology or a competent local authority.
Specialists in the health field will need a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Health or Abu Dhabi Department of Health, and should also have a valid licence to operate in the UAE.
Specialists in the education field should have a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education or Abu Dhabi Department of Education & Knowledge. A valid licence to operate in the UAE is also required.
Skilled professionals applying for the visa must be employed in the UAE. They should hold a role classified by MOHRE’s occupational classification scheme as follows: Level 1 classification – Managers & Business Executives; Level 2 Classification – Professionals in the fields of Sciences, Engineering, Health, Education, Business and Management, Information Technology, Law, Sociology, and Culture.
They should hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and have a monthly salary of Dh30,000 or equivalent. They are also required to hold a valid practicing license in the UAE if required (such as physician, pharmacist, teacher etc.).
Students
A high school graduate from a public school or licensed private school in the UAE with a final score of at least 95 per cent or the criteria set forth by Abu Dhabi Department of Education & Knowledge is eligible to apply.
In case a university graduate wants to apply, he or she should hold a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD from a university accredited by the Ministry of Education in the UAE. The university must be classified as A or B according to the accredited universities classification list by the Ministry of Education. The GPA must not be less than 3.5 for A classified universities or 3.8 for B classified universities.
Alternatively, the student should have graduated from one of the top 100 international universities according to the international classification accredited by the Ministry of Education and the GPA must not be less than 3.5 for Bachelor’s degree holders.
In both cases, the graduation year should not be more than two years ago.
Pioneers of human action
The following applicants are eligible under this category: a member of an international or regional organisation or an outstanding employee for a period of no less than five years; a member of a civil association or NGO (or proof of outstanding performance within the organisations) for a period of no less than five years; a recipient of an appreciation award from one of the local, regional or international institutions specialised in the field of humanitarian work; a financial supporter of humanitarian work, provided that the value of the support is not less than Dh2,000,000 or its equivalent in another currency. The applicant must have at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Front-line workers
Golden visas for front-line workers are only provided on a recommendation basis by the 'Fakhr Al Watan Office'. Nominations are provided in collaboration with the ICP.
