Insights · UAE Immigration
UAE Golden Visa for Investors and Entrepreneurs: Routes and Requirements in 2026
The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year, self-sponsored residence permit, renewable while you still qualify. Investors need AED 2 million in a UAE bank or fund deposit, company capital or partnership share, or AED 2 million of property, which may be bank-financed or bought off-plan from an approved developer. Entrepreneurs qualify through an SME earning at least AED 1 million a year, approval from an accredited incubator, or past exits worth AED 7 million, according to ICP’s criteria at 30 September 2026.
This guide is for founders, shareholders and property investors weighing long-term UAE residence. It sets out the investor and entrepreneur routes ICP applies today, the family and travel benefits, what changed in 2025–2026, and how to apply through ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
| Route | Requirement (ICP, as at 30 September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Deposit | At least AED 2 million with a UAE investment fund or national bank; GDRFA Dubai bars withdrawal during the permit |
| Company capital or partnership | A UAE company with capital of at least AED 2 million, or a partnership share worth at least AED 2 million; funds must be your own, not borrowed |
| Tax contribution | A company paying at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes |
| Real estate | Property worth at least AED 2 million; loans from approved local banks and off-plan purchases from approved developers accepted |
| Entrepreneur: revenue | A UAE-registered SME in an approved field with annual revenue of at least AED 1 million |
| Entrepreneur: incubator | Business idea approved by an accredited incubator, the Ministry of Economy or a relevant local authority |
| Entrepreneur: previous exits | Founder of ventures previously sold for a total of at least AED 7 million |
| Validity and cover | 10 years, renewable; valid health insurance required |
Investor and entrepreneur routes
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) splits investors into public investment and real estate. For public investment, you need a deposit of at least AED 2 million with a UAE investment fund or national bank, a UAE company with capital of at least AED 2 million, or a partnership share worth the same. Owning or partnering in a company that pays at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes also qualifies. ICP states that the invested capital must be fully owned by the investor and must not come from a loan.
For property, ICP requires one or more properties worth at least AED 2 million in total. Bank financing is allowed if it comes from an approved local bank, and off-plan units count if bought from a developer authorised by the local authority. In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department asks for a no-objection letter from the mortgage bank showing the amount paid and the balance, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) registers a lien so that ownership continues for the life of the permit.
Entrepreneurs have three routes on ICP’s current guide, updated on 10 September 2026. You own or are a partner in a UAE-registered small or medium-sized enterprise in an approved field with annual revenue of at least AED 1 million; or your business idea is approved by an accredited business incubator, the Ministry of Economy or a relevant local authority; or you founded ventures that were previously sold for a total of at least AED 7 million. Health insurance is required on every route.
Many guides still quote a minimum project value of AED 500,000. That test appears in earlier versions of the scheme, and the UAE government portal still mentions documents proving project value, but it is not in ICP’s current criteria. In Dubai, GDRFA’s entrepreneur service also asks for a nomination letter from a Dubai authority. Treat AED 500,000 as unconfirmed and check the live criteria with ICP or GDRFA Dubai before you plan around it.
Family, domestic workers, travel and 2025–2026 changes
ICP states that Golden Residency holders can obtain residence permits for their spouse and children, regardless of the children’s age, and for their parents. They can also sponsor domestic workers in line with the applicable regulations. No UAE sponsor or employer is needed for the holder’s own permit, and if the holder dies, sponsored family members may remain in the UAE until their own permits expire.
The UAE government portal confirms that Golden Visa holders can stay outside the country for longer than the usual six-month period without losing residence, which suits investors who split their year between several countries. Applicants who are still abroad can be granted a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable for a further six months, to complete the process.
The 2025–2026 changes concern categories and fraud rather than investor thresholds. ICP’s list now includes nomination-based categories, such as first-line-of-defence professionals and humanitarian pioneers, which are not investment routes. In July 2025, ICP publicly denied reports of a nomination-based “lifetime” Golden Visa for a fixed AED 100,000 fee, and said applications go only through official government channels. Be wary of any agent offering a shortcut.
How to apply: ICP, GDRFA Dubai, medical and Emirates ID
- Check your eligibility on ICP’s smart services platform. Dubai residents apply through GDRFA Dubai online or at an Amer service centre.
- Gather your passport copy, photo and route evidence: a bank certificate, an audited financial report with a valid trade licence, a Federal Tax Authority letter, or a title deed.
- For a mortgaged or off-plan property, obtain the bank’s no-objection letter or the developer’s no-objection certificate before you file.
- Arrange UAE health insurance that stays valid throughout the permit, as ICP requires for investors and entrepreneurs.
- If you are outside the UAE, apply first for the six-month multiple-entry entry visa.
- Pay the fees, complete the medical fitness test at an approved centre and give biometrics for your Emirates ID; the residence permit is then issued electronically.
- Keep the qualifying investment in place: GDRFA Dubai does not allow a qualifying deposit to be withdrawn during the 10 years.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to invest for a UAE Golden Visa?
The main investor threshold is AED 2 million, held as a deposit with a UAE investment fund or national bank, as company capital or a partnership share, or as property. A company paying at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes is an alternative. ICP requires invested capital to be your own rather than borrowed, although property may be bank-financed. Entrepreneur routes use revenue, incubator approval or past exits instead.
Can I get a UAE Golden Visa with a mortgaged or off-plan property?
Yes. ICP accepts property worth at least AED 2 million that is financed by a loan from an approved local bank, and off-plan units bought from a developer approved by the local authority. In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department asks for the bank’s no-objection letter showing the amount paid and the balance, and GDRFA Dubai registers a lien on the property for the life of the permit.
Does the UAE Golden Visa for entrepreneurs still require AED 500,000?
Not on ICP’s current criteria. As at September 2026, ICP lists an SME with annual revenue of at least AED 1 million, approval from an accredited incubator, the Ministry of Economy or a local authority, or previous exits worth at least AED 7 million. The AED 500,000 project value appears in older guidance. In Dubai, GDRFA also asks for a nomination letter, so confirm the route before applying.
Can UAE Golden Visa holders sponsor family and domestic workers?
Yes. According to ICP, holders can sponsor their spouse, their children regardless of age and their parents, and can sponsor domestic workers under the applicable regulations. If the holder dies, family members may stay until their permits expire. The holder needs no UAE sponsor, and the UAE government portal confirms holders can stay outside the UAE for longer than the usual six months.