Residency
Malta
Permanent residence in an EU member state through Malta's Permanent Residence Programme, with no physical stay requirement.
- Min. investment
- €375,000+
- Time to approval
- 6–8 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Residency by Investment
UAE Golden Visa
A 10-year renewable Golden Visa in a tax-efficient global business hub, with among the fastest processing times anywhere.
Time to residency
1–3 months
Minimum investment
$545,000+
Program Overview
About the United Arab Emirates program
In brief
The United Arab Emirates program is a residency-by-investment program that grants the right to live in United Arab Emirates. The minimum qualifying investment is $545,000+, and approvals typically take 1–3 months. It requires no residence or relocation. Figures are indicative minimums for the main applicant.
The UAE Golden Visa grants long-term, renewable residence to investors and talented professionals in one of the world's fastest-growing business hubs. The 10-year visa is self-sponsored: it requires no employer, no local partner, and no sponsor of any kind.
For property investors, the qualifying route is real estate worth at least AED 2,000,000 — completed or, in defined cases, off-plan from approved developers. The visa remains valid as long as the qualifying investment is held, and holders are exempt from the six-month absence rule that limits ordinary UAE residence visas.
With processing measured in weeks rather than months and no personal income tax, the UAE is a compelling base — or a strategic second residence — for international entrepreneurs and families.
One distinction matters and we state it plainly: the Golden Visa is residency, not citizenship. Emirati citizenship cannot be applied for or purchased. Many of our Golden Visa clients pair long-term UAE residence with a second citizenship from a Caribbean or European program — a combination we advise on end to end.
Presence requirement
No minimum stay; visit at least once every 6 months recommended
Document validity
10-year visa, renewable while the investment is held
Dual nationality
Residence status — your current citizenship is unaffected
How it compares
United Arab Emirates against other residency programs
Where United Arab Emirates sits among the 8 residency by investment programs we advise on. The gold marker is the peer average.
Minimum investment (lower is better)$545,000
Peer average $428kAbove the peer average
Time to approval (lower is better)1–3 months
Peer average ≈ 14 monthsBelow the peer average
Investment is compared on a USD-normalized basis; the label shows this program's own currency. Time uses the upper end of the published range. Figures are indicative.
Key Benefits
- 10-year renewable residence in a global business hub
- Self-sponsored — no employer or local sponsor required
- No minimum stay: the usual six-month absence rule does not apply to Golden Visa holders
- No personal income tax
- Among the fastest processing times of any program
- Sponsorship of spouse, children, and domestic staff
The Life It Unlocks
Ten years of the world's most connected city.
Everywhere is a direct flight
A third of the planet sits within four hours of DXB. Business in Singapore, family in London, weekend in the Maldives — the geography finally cooperates.
What you earn stays yours
No personal income tax on the life you build here — the compounding advantage families feel within the first year.
The family, self-sponsored
Spouse, children of any age, domestic staff — sponsored under your visa, with no employer in the middle and no six-month rule pulling you back.
Investment Pathways
Real Estate Investment
From $545,000
Purchase of UAE property worth at least AED 2,000,000, qualifying for the 10-year Golden Visa.
Held for the duration of the visa
Explore your route
From (indicative)
$545,000
Capital treatment
Held for the duration of the visa
Purchase of UAE property worth at least AED 2,000,000, qualifying for the 10-year Golden Visa.
Who comes with you
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Children of any age
- Domestic staff
Family additions are quoted individually — request your exact figure
Application Timeline
Your dates
Complete files are typically processed in 1–3 months.
Indicative — based on typical processing of 1–3 months for complete files. Government timelines are not guaranteed.
- 1
Weeks 1–4
Investment
Completion of the qualifying property purchase.
- 2
Weeks 4–8
Application
Golden Visa application submitted with title deed evidence.
- 3
Weeks 8–10
Medical & Emirates ID
Medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- 4
Weeks 10–12
Visa issuance
Issuance of the 10-year Golden Visa.
Requirements
- Qualifying property investment maintained for the visa duration
- Valid passport and standard civil documentation
- Medical fitness test in the UAE
- Emirates ID registration
Family Eligibility
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Children of any age
- Domestic staff
What to Weigh
Honest advice includes the trade-offs. Before committing to the United Arab Emirates program, consider:
- The Golden Visa is residence, not citizenship — UAE citizenship is not available by investment.
- Property markets in Dubai are cyclical; buy on fundamentals, not visa eligibility alone.
- Tax residence in the UAE requires genuine presence and substance — a visa alone does not change your tax position elsewhere.
Does United Arab Emirates fit you?
Three questions, scored by the same engine as our Program Finder — with an honest answer, even when it isn't this program.
What are you ultimately looking for?
What investment level are you comfortable with?
How soon do you want this in hand?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to invest for a UAE Golden Visa?
The property route requires real estate worth at least AED 2,000,000 (roughly USD 545,000). Other categories exist for entrepreneurs, executives, and exceptional talent, each with its own criteria — we advise on the route that fits your profile.
Is the UAE Golden Visa citizenship?
No. The Golden Visa grants 10-year renewable residency. Emirati citizenship cannot be applied for or purchased — it is granted only by descent, marriage, or government nomination. Residents who want a second citizenship obtain it from countries that lawfully offer one, such as the Caribbean programs, and we advise on both together.
How long can I stay outside the UAE without losing the visa?
Golden Visa holders are exempt from the six-month absence rule that cancels ordinary UAE residence visas. You can remain outside the UAE for extended periods without affecting the visa's validity.
Does the Golden Visa make me a UAE tax resident?
Not by itself. Tax residence depends on where you actually live and each country's rules. Many clients combine the visa with genuine relocation; we coordinate with tax counsel on request.
Can I sponsor my family?
Yes — spouse and children of any age can be sponsored under your Golden Visa, along with domestic staff.
What if I sell the property?
The visa is tied to the qualifying investment. Selling without replacing it puts renewal at risk; upgrading to another qualifying property is straightforward.
Official programme authority
- 01The Official Portal of the UAE Government — Golden visaRetrieved 2026-07-28
- 02The Official Portal of the UAE Government — Emirati nationalityRetrieved 2026-07-28
Alternatives
Related Programs
Families often weigh this program against these alternatives.
Residency
Residency
Portugal
Europe's best-known golden visa: EU residency with a minimal stay requirement and a potential path to citizenship after seven to ten years of legal residence.
- Min. investment
- €500,000+
- Time to approval
- 10–14 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Residency
Greece
One of Europe's most affordable golden visas: Greek residency through real estate, with no stay requirement to renew.
- Min. investment
- €250,000+
- Time to approval
- 3–6 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Begin Your Journey
Request a private assessment to see whether the United Arab Emirates program is the right fit.
United Arab Emirates · 1–3 months