Dubai Golden Visa 2025: Guide to the ₹23 Lakh (AED 100,000) Long-Term Residency Scheme

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By Neemesh

The DUBAI Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit (5 or 10 years) designed to attract global talent, investors, and entrepreneurs. It allows foreigners to live, work, or study in the UAE with special benefits – for example, holders need no local sponsor, can travel freely, and may stay outside the UAE without losing their visa. Golden Visas can be renewed, enabling the holder to sponsor family members (including spouses, children of any age, and even parents) during the visa’s validity. Over time, the UAE has expanded this program from wealthy investors to include outstanding professionals, scientists, educators, and even creative talents. As of 2025, one of the newest options in Dubai’s Golden Visa program is a ₹23 lakh (AED 100,000) fee-based route, open initially to Indians and Bangladeshis. This article explains what the Golden Visa is, details the new AED 100,000 option, and compares it with other investment visa pathways in the UAE. It also answers common questions on eligibility, costs, benefits, and more.

The New AED 100,000 (₹23 Lakh) Dubai Golden Visa Scheme

In July 2025 the UAE rolled out a nomination-based Golden Visa pilot aimed at Indian and Bangladeshi applicants. Instead of meeting the traditional high-investment criteria, eligible applicants can obtain a lifelong UAE residency by paying a one-time AED 100,000 (approximately ₹23.3 lakh) fee. This fee is essentially an application and processing charge, not an investment; it is not tied to an asset and is not refundable.

Under this scheme, candidates no longer need to buy property or make large capital investments. They are screened and nominated based on their background and potential contribution to the UAE economy or society. A third-party firm (Rayad Group, partnering with VFS Global) conducts strict background checks, including criminal and anti-money-laundering screening, and even social media presence, to ensure nominees meet high standards. Approved applicants receive a Golden Visa (typically 10 years, renewable) and can reside in the UAE indefinitely without further conditions. Pre-approval can be done from abroad – applicants may apply online or via authorized centers in India/Bangladesh, then move to Dubai with their families after final approval.

This pilot reflects UAE policy shifts to “nomination-based” visas, starting with close trading partners under CEPA. Over time it will expand to other countries. For example, a UAE news release notes that India and Bangladesh were chosen first, with plans to invite additional CEPA partners soon. In practice, this means any eligible Indian/Bangladeshi national (and later citizens of other qualifying countries) in a target category can pursue the visa by paying AED 100k and passing the vetting process.

Eligibility and Categories

Unlike older Golden Visas tied strictly to investment, the ₹23 lakh scheme focuses on individuals with exceptional talent or entrepreneurship. Reported eligible categories include investors, entrepreneurs, top students, educators, scientists, senior executives, health professionals, digital content creators (YouTubers, podcasters), e-sports professionals, and even luxury yacht owners and maritime executives. For example, teachers or nurses with 15+ years of experience, startup founders, or accredited gamers (age 25+) may qualify under this program. In short, the UAE is targeting a wide range of high-skilled professionals and creatives, not just high-net-worth individuals.

To qualify, applicants must pass comprehensive checks and be able to contribute to fields like science, culture, finance, technology or public service. Rayad Group’s screening ensures nominees have clean records and achievements. If approved, applicants pay the AED 100,000 fee and receive a lifetime (10-year renewable) Golden Visa. Notably, this visa remains valid even if property or business interests change – a permanent residency unlike the old property-linked visa which would expire if the asset was sold.

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Application Process and Fees

Applicants to the ₹23 lakh Golden Visa apply through designated channels. In India and Bangladesh, this includes One Vasco visa centres, VFS/Rayad offices, online portals, or a dedicated call center. Initial vetting (including AML and background checks) is done remotely. Once nominees clear the pre-screen, they pay the AED 100,000 fee (about $27,000) for government processing.

After payment and approval, applicants can enter the UAE to complete medical tests and Emirates ID registration. Overall processing is relatively swift – industry sources note Golden Visa approvals often take a few weeks (2–4 weeks is typical) once all documents are submitted. Precise timelines vary, but applicants should expect at least several weeks for government review. Importantly, applicants do not need to already have a Dubai job offer or local sponsor, since the Golden Visa is self-sponsored.

Note: The AED 100,000 payment is a one-time service fee. It grants visa issuance if approved, but does not constitute an “investment” that can be recovered. Prospective applicants should budget for this cost and additional statutory fees (such as medical exams, Emirates ID, and health insurance) which are required for all UAE residency visas. (For example, a Golden Visa holder typically pays ~AED 3,000–4,000 for visa stamping and IDs, plus a few hundred dirhams for health check and insurance per person.)

Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa

The Golden Visa – including the new ₹23 lakh option – carries the full suite of UAE long-term residency benefits. These include:

  • Long-term, renewable residency (5 or 10 years): Visa holders can live in the UAE indefinitely, renewing their permit automatically.
  • No local sponsor required: Holders do not need an employer or sponsor; they have full self-sponsorship rights.
  • Family sponsorship: Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouses, children (of any age), unmarried daughters, sons up to 25, elderly parents, and even domestic staff. Family members receive the same long-term visa. No additional investment or fees are needed to sponsor dependents beyond standard visa costs.
  • Travel freedom: The visa imposes no exit/entry limits – holders can travel in and out of the UAE freely without canceling their residency. It also grants a multiple-entry long-term entry permit to initiate the visa process.
  • Work and business flexibility: Visa holders may work, study or set up businesses in the UAE without an employer’s sponsorship. They can own property or start companies fully (up to 100% foreign ownership in many cases) without a local partner.
  • Quality of life: Although not part of the visa itself, Golden Visa holders enjoy UAE’s world-class services (healthcare, education, banking, infrastructure) and favorable tax environment (no personal income tax) as long-term residents.

In short, the Golden Visa offers stability and privileges far beyond a normal work or residence visa. It effectively lets talented expatriates make the UAE their long-term home. As one official put it, holders can “do any business or professional work here” without the visa ever lapsing as long as they pay the initial fee.

Comparing Golden Visa Investment Pathways

Beyond the new ₹23 lakh fee option, the UAE offers several Golden Visa categories, each with its own investment or qualification criteria. Here is a brief comparison:

  • Public Investment: Deposit AED 2 million in an approved investment fund, or own a UAE company with AED 2M capital (or pay AED 250,000 tax annually). Qualifies for a 10-year visa. The capital must not be loaned, and a health insurance is required.
  • Real Estate: Own property (or properties) worth ≥ AED 2 million in the UAE (no mortgage). This yields a 5-year Golden Visa, renewable under the same conditions. (Older rules also offered a 10-year visa for higher investments, but current official threshold is AED 2M for a 5-year visa.)
  • Entrepreneur/Startup: Own a project of “technical or future nature” valued ≥ AED 500,000. You need approvals from a UAE auditor (confirming the project value), a business incubator, and local authorities. This grants a 5-year visa for you (the project owner).
  • Exceptional Talents: Individuals with outstanding credentials (scientists, doctors, creatives, inventors, PhD holders, athletes, etc.) can qualify for a 10-year visa. For example, doctors need a UAE Ministry of Health approval, inventors need patent recognition, and athletes need sports authority nomination.
  • Executive Professionals: UAE policymakers allow certain executives (with university degree, ≥5 years’ experience, and salary ≥ AED 50,000/month) to obtain a 10-year visa. (Abu Dhabi also offers Golden Visas to professionals with ≥ AED 30,000/month for some fields.)
  • Students/Graduates: Top students (GPA thresholds) and alumni of top global universities can get 5- or 10-year visas to encourage them to stay. For instance, a PhD graduate with 3.5+ GPA from a top 100 university can get 10 years.
  • Others: There are special Golden Visas for UAE “pioneers” in humanitarian work, and for COVID frontline heroes – usually 10-year visas given by government nomination.
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Compare to the ₹23 Lakh route: The new fee-based option does not require any property, deposit, or business ownership. Instead of a fixed investment, it relies on “nomination” for accomplished individuals. In effect, where the traditional routes demand millions of dirhams or a high salary, the ₹23 lakh scheme democratizes access to long-term residency for certain skilled applicants.

FAQs

  • Who is eligible for the ₹23 lakh Golden Visa in Dubai?
    Currently, this pilot is open to Indian and Bangladeshi nationals who have excelled in fields prized by the UAE. Categories include entrepreneurs and startup founders, investors, top academics and students, doctors and scientists, senior executives, teachers and nurses, digital creators (YouTubers, bloggers), accredited e-sports athletes, maritime professionals and yacht owners, among others. Eligible nominees must clear rigorous background checks (AML, criminal, social media) and show potential contributions in areas like culture, science or technology. Applications are by invitation/nomination only; the UAE authorities or appointed agencies will nominate qualified individuals.
  • Is the AED 100,000 (₹23 lakh) investment refundable?
    No. This payment is a one-time application fee for the Golden Visa program. It is not tied to any physical investment or escrow, so applicants should consider it a non-refundable processing charge. If an application is rejected, the fee would not be returned. (In contrast, traditional Golden Visas that require buying property or company shares involve recoverable assets, but this fee-route does not.)
  • How long does the application take?
    Processing times can vary, but Golden Visa applications typically take a few weeks from submission to approval. The new nomination visa adds extra vetting, so applicants should expect at least several weeks. Reports indicate that preliminary background checks and approvals may be completed within 2–4 weeks after full documentation is submitted. After initial approval, entering the UAE, completing a medical test and biometrics, and issuing the visa stamp may take an additional couple of weeks.
  • What are the benefits of a UAE Golden Visa?
    Holders enjoy long-term residency (5 or 10 years) with stability and freedom. Key perks include no need for a local sponsor, ability to work or start a business freely, and flexibility to travel internationally without losing residency. They can access UAE’s high-standard healthcare, education, banking and lifestyle amenities. Golden Visa holders also benefit from the UAE’s favorable tax environment (no personal income tax). Critically, visa holders can live outside the UAE for extended periods without forfeiting the visa. In short, it offers a secure path to live and work in the UAE with family under very flexible terms.
  • Can you sponsor your family under this visa?
    Yes. One of the Golden Visa’s biggest advantages is family sponsorship. A holder can sponsor their spouse and children (no age limit for daughters, up to 25 for sons). Even parents can be sponsored. Dependents receive the same long-term visa duration. Golden Visa holders may also sponsor domestic helpers with no numerical limit. There is no extra investment needed to bring family; only standard visa and Emirates ID fees apply per person.
  • Is this a path to UAE citizenship?
    No. The Golden Visa grants long-term residency, not citizenship. Currently, UAE citizenship remains very limited and usually requires decades of residency (around 30 years) plus special approval. Recent reports note that after 30 years of legal residency one may apply for citizenship, possibly accelerated by exceptional service. However, Golden Visa status alone does not guarantee or directly lead to naturalization. Applicants should view it as a residency solution, not a shortcut to citizenship.
  • What are the risks or hidden costs?
    Beyond the AED 100,000 fee, applicants should account for related expenses: mandatory medical exams (a few hundred AED), Emirates ID fees, and health insurance premiums (around AED 1,500–2,000 annually per person). If applying via agencies (e.g. Rayad/VFS), there may also be service charges on top of the government fee. Applicants should beware of unauthorized brokers or false promises. Importantly, if the application fails or is withdrawn, the AED 100k fee is not refunded. Finally, as with any long-term plan, visa rules can evolve; although the UAE has indicated this scheme will expand, policy changes remain a general risk.
  • Can freelancers or remote workers apply?
    Not directly under this scheme unless they qualify in a listed category. The nomination Golden Visa targets high-skilled or entrepreneurial roles (e.g. tech startup founders, content creators, etc.), not typical gig freelancers. However, there are other UAE visas for freelancers and remote professionals. For example, the UAE offers a Green Visa (5-year residence) for self-employed professionals earning ≥ AED 360,000/year or with proof of business, as well as a Virtual Working (Remote Work) Visa for international employees. Additionally, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have separate freelancer/license visas in specific free zones. A digital freelancer might still qualify if they meet a Golden Visa category (e.g. a successful YouTuber or tech entrepreneur). But purely remote or freelance workers should explore the Green Visa or freelance permit options instead of the Golden Visa.
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Conclusion

The 2025 Dubai Golden Visa programme continues to evolve. Alongside traditional investment routes (like AED 2 million in real estate or funds), the UAE has introduced this innovative AED 100,000 nomination-based Golden Visa (around ₹23 lakh) to attract global talent beyond the ultra-wealthy. The new scheme – initially for Indian and Bangladeshi nationals – allows outstanding individuals (from scientists and educators to content creators and startup founders) to secure long-term UAE residency by paying a one-time fee and passing a strict vetting process.

In practice, this means that eligible applicants can bypass the old capital barriers and obtain a 10-year Golden Visa with full benefits: no sponsor needed, freedom to work or start a business, and the right to bring family members along. For comparison, other Golden Visa paths still require at least AED 2 million in assets or specific professional criteria. Prospective migrants should weigh all options, considering investment, visa length, and personal goals, when choosing a UAE long-term residency pathway. With its expanded Golden Visa schemes in 2025, Dubai and the UAE at large are making it ever easier for global talent to call the Emirates home.

Sources: Official UAE visa portals and recent news reports provide detailed information on the Golden Visa categories, costs, and eligibility criteria. These sources are cited above for accuracy.

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Neemesh

Hi, I am Neemesh founder of EduEarnHub. I am engaged in blogging & Digital Marketing for 15 years. The purpose of this blog is to share my experience, knowledge and help people in managing money. Please note that the views expressed on this Blog are clarifications meant for reference and guidance of the readers to explore further on the topics. These should not be construed as investment , tax, financial advice or legal opinion. Please consult a qualified financial planner and do your own due diligence before making any investment decision.

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