Dubai golden visa is a long-term residency permit designed for investors, professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking to live and thrive in the UAE. This guide covers the updated 2025 rules for how to qualify, invest, and apply, specifically for Dubai.
Whether you’re looking for a second home, better global mobility, or a tax-friendly place to scale your business, the Dubai golden visa can open those doors. Here’s how it works.
What is the Dubai Golden Visa?
The Dubai golden visa is a long-term residency program launched by the UAE to attract top-tier investors, professionals, and entrepreneurs. It offers 10 years of renewable residency without needing a local sponsor.
With this visa, you can:
- Live and work freely in Dubai
- Own real estate or a business
- Access UAE healthcare, education, and banking
- Sponsor your spouse, children, and dependents
It’s a flexible and powerful way to establish permanent roots in a city known for opportunity, stability, and growth.
What Makes This Visa Powerful
This residency isn’t just about staying in Dubai, it’s about what it enables.
It gives you:
- Freedom: No local sponsor or employer needed
- Stability: Valid for 10 years and renewable
- Ownership: Hold property or businesses in your name
- Family inclusion: One visa can cover your spouse, kids, and dependents
- Access: Full use of healthcare, banking, and education systems
- Mobility: Base yourself in a global hub connected to three continents
For investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals, it’s one of the few visa options that combines lifestyle, security, and financial upside. Whether you’re planning your next chapter or future-proofing your family, this visa offers real leverage.
Dubai Golden Visa Investment Pathways
Dubai offers three main investment routes for golden visa eligibility. Each requires a minimum AED 2 million investment.
Here are the pathways:
| Pathway | Minimum Investment | Involvement | Liquidity | Key Benefits | Considerations |
| Real Estate | AED 2M | Medium | Medium | Tangible asset, rental income | Must hold property; market value fluctuates |
| Business Investment | AED 2M | High | Medium | Business income, full ownership | Requires operational setup and oversight |
| Fixed Deposit | AED 2M (locked) | Low | Low | Passive route, simple processing | Lower returns, funds frozen for 2+ years |
Which option fits you best?
- Choose real estate for asset security and family relocation.
- Opt for business if you’re building or scaling a venture.
- Use a fixed deposit for a hands-off, stable route to residency.
Emirate-Specific Rules for Dubai
Although the UAE golden visa is a federal program, each emirate, including Dubai, follows its own administrative procedures. Applicants investing in Dubai must align with requirements enforced by Dubai-specific departments and authorities.
Keep these key Dubai-specific rules in mind:
- Property Registration: The property must be registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). Only freehold or eligible off-plan properties from approved developers qualify.
- Business Licensing: Businesses must hold a valid Dubai trade license, whether mainland or free zone. The business must be operational and compliant with GDRFA requirements.
- Banking for Deposits: Fixed deposits must be placed in Dubai-based, UAE-licensed banks. A confirmation letter from the bank is mandatory.
- Approval Authority: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai manages visa approval, document verification, and biometric screening.
Dubai’s system is structured but efficient. Still, working with licensed advisors ensures your documentation meets current standards.
If you’d like to understand how the long-term visa works across other emirates as well, read our full article on the UAE golden visa overview.
Dubai Golden Visa Application Process
The application for this visa is a structured process that requires attention to detail at every step. Submitting accurate documentation and meeting eligibility requirements speeds up approval.
Here’s a step-by-step overview:
| Step | Key action | What you need to do |
| Step 1 | Choose your investment pathway | Decide between real estate, business, orfixed deposit, based on your goals. |
| Step 2 | Gather documents | Prepare title deeds, trade licenses, bank letters, and any required NOCs. Ensure all papers are valid and translated where needed. |
| Step 3 | Apply through GDRFA Dubai | Submit your application through the official portal or an authorized service center. |
| Step 4 | Medical and biometric checks | Complete a medical test and fingerprint scan, both required before final approval. |
| Step 5 | Visa issuance and Emirates ID | Once approved, you receive your 10-year visa and Emirates ID card. |
| Step 6 | Sponsor your family | After receiving your visa, you can file additional applications to sponsor your spouse, children, and eligible dependents. |
While the steps are clear, the process can involve follow-ups and clarifications, especially around documentation. Partnering with a trusted expert helps avoid delays.
Benefits of the Dubai Golden Visa
This visa offers far more than long-term residency. It’s a gateway to living, investing, and operating with full autonomy in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
For many, it represents a strategic move: financially, professionally, and personally.
Some of the core benefits include:
- 10-Year Renewable Residency:
A decade-long stay with peace of mind, renewable under the same or different eligibility conditions.
- No Local Sponsor Required:
You hold full independence, unlike traditional employment visas that require local sponsorship.
- Family Sponsorship:
Extend your visa to your spouse, children, and domestic workers under one application.
- Full Residency Rights:
Live, work, study, and invest in the UAE with unrestricted access to services.
- Business and Property Ownership:
Own businesses and property in your name, whether in free zones or approved mainland areas.
- Access to Banking and Healthcare:
Set up bank accounts, obtain insurance, and use world-class medical facilities across the UAE.
- Tax Efficiency:
Zero personal income tax and investor-friendly tax policies for businesses.
Whether you’re an investor protecting wealth, a founder scaling globally, or a family seeking a stable lifestyle, the Dubai golden visa delivers unmatched flexibility and long-term value.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Investing under AED 2 million
- Using unlicensed consultants
- Overlooking extra fees (registration, service charges)
- Failing to verify latest rules
- Submitting incomplete or outdated documents
- Rushing the process without expert advice
These are avoidable errors that can delay or derail your application. Always double-check requirements and work with qualified professionals.
How MyGoldenVisa Supports Your Application
Securing long-term residency in Dubai can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be. At MyGoldenVisa, we specialize in guiding investors, entrepreneurs, and families through every step of the process.
With experience handling over 2,500 successful applications, we simplify the paperwork and reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
Here’s how we help:
- Eligibility check – We assess your profile and recommend the most suitable route
- Document review – Every form, NOC, title deed, and trade license is verified and prepared properly
- Application management – We handle submissions, follow-ups, and GDRFA coordination
- On-ground support – For property buyers and business investors, we connect you to vetted agents and legal partners
- Post-approval services – Including family sponsorship, renewals, and updates to stay compliant
Our team stays updated on all regulatory changes, so you don’t have to. With MyGoldenVisa, you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I apply for the Dubai golden visa with a mortgaged property?
Yes, as long as your equity in the property is AED 2 million or more and you can provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your bank.
2. Do I have to live in Dubai full-time to keep my visa?
No, there is no strict residency requirement. However, visiting the UAE at least once every 6 months is recommended to keep the visa active.
3. Can I change my visa route later, for example, switch from real estate to a deposit?
Yes, but this would require a new application and cancellation of the existing visa under the original investment category.
4. What happens if my investment drops below AED 2 million in value?
You may become ineligible to renew your visa at the 10-year mark. It’s advised to maintain qualifying investment levels throughout your visa period.
5. How long does it take to get the Dubai golden visa approved?
Timelines vary, but most applicants receive approval within 3 to 6 weeks if documentation is complete and correct.
Final Takeaway
Dubai golden visa is more than residency, it’s a strategic move for lifestyle, wealth, and business. Choose the pathway that matches your goals, verify all documents, and apply with expert guidance.
Ready to secure your Dubai golden visa? Contact MyGoldenVisa.net for end-to-end support.