United Arab Emirates · Temporary Residence
UAE Long-Term Residence for Investors
Founders who hold capital rather than an incubator letter can secure UAE residence through property, deposits or company stakes. The Golden Visa investor route starts at AED 2 million, and a five-year Green category covers business partners.
- Startup route
- Golden Visa (Entrepreneurs); no startup visa by name
- Minimum capital
- No set capital; incubator approval or AED 1M revenue
- Permanent residence
- No PR status; long-term visas renew instead
- Citizenship
- By nomination only; no residence-based path
Golden Visa (Investors in public investments or real estate)
ICP's guide sets several investor tests, each at a minimum of AED 2 million unless stated. Public investment can be a deposit with an investment fund or a national bank, a new UAE company with that capital, or a partner's share of that value in an existing or new company. Owning a company that pays at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes, or a shareholding matching that amount, also qualifies. In real estate, the investor owns one or more UAE properties worth at least AED 2 million in total, or buys off-plan units of that value from an approved local developer. Capital must belong to the investor rather than come from a loan, although property may be financed by an approved local bank.
- Property
- AED 2 million; loans from approved local banks allowed
- Off-plan
- AED 2 million from an approved local developer
- Business
- AED 2 million capital, or AED 250,000 a year in federal tax
- Validity
- 10 years in ICP's guide; u.ae lists 5 for property
- Family
- Spouse, children of any age and parents
- Health cover
- Required for investor and family
Requirements
- Investment capital fully owned by the investor, not borrowed, with documents proving its source and ownership.
- For property, full ownership registered in the investor's name, or off-plan purchases from an approved local developer.
- For deposits, at least AED 2 million placed with an investment fund or a national bank operating in the UAE.
- Comprehensive health insurance for the investor and family, kept valid through the residence for property investors.
- For the tax route, a company committed to paying at least AED 250,000 a year to the federal government.
How to apply
- Choose the qualifying route and assemble title deeds, deposit certificates or company documents.
- Check eligibility with ICP's online tool or the emirate's residency authority.
- Apply through ICP or the emirate's residency platform, entering on ICP's six-month visa if abroad.
- Complete residence issuance and add family members on the investor's sponsorship.
Living on a long-term UAE visa
Golden Residency holders do not need a sponsor and can obtain residence permits for a spouse and children regardless of their age, as well as for parents. They may also sponsor domestic workers under the applicable rules. If the Golden Visa holder dies, sponsored family members may stay in the UAE until their own permits expire. Holders keep their status while abroad for more than six months, which matters for founders who travel to raise money or serve clients elsewhere.
ICP describes Golden Residency as renewable, and GDRFA extends it when the original conditions are still met, so an investor who sells the qualifying property or company may lose eligibility at renewal. Holders must remain able to support themselves and their family without government assistance. Fees depend on the emirate: in Dubai the residence permit fee is AED 1,100 plus add-on charges, with an extra AED 500 for applications made inside the country.
The Green route for business partners
The Green Residence also has a category for investors and business partners. ICP asks for proof of an investment in, or contribution to, a business venture inside the UAE, together with the licenses and approvals that the relevant authorities require. The guide attaches no published minimum amount to this category, so the licensing and residency authorities decide what evidence is sufficient. Holders receive five years of sponsor-free residence, renewable when the requirements are still met, with family sponsorship under the approved rules and grace periods after expiry. For a partner in a smaller company it can be a lighter route than the AED 2 million Golden tests.
Questions and answers
Can a mortgaged property qualify for the UAE Golden Visa?
Yes, according to ICP's current guide. The property or properties must be worth at least AED 2 million in total, with full ownership registered in the investor's name, and a loan is acceptable when it comes from an approved local bank. Off-plan units worth AED 2 million also count if bought from an approved local developer.
Is the UAE property Golden Visa valid for 5 or 10 years?
ICP's Golden Residency guide, updated in September 2026, lists 10 years for real estate investors. The federal u.ae portal still shows 5 years for real estate and 10 years for public investments. Investors should confirm the term with ICP or the residency authority of their emirate before relying on either figure.
Can a UAE investor visa cover parents?
Yes. ICP lists the ability to obtain residence permits for spouses, for children regardless of age and for parents among the key benefits of the Golden Residency. Each family member still needs to meet the standard documentation and health insurance requirements set by the residency authority.
Official sources
- Golden Residency Guide - ICPicp.gov.ae
- Golden visa - The Official Portal of the UAE Governmentu.ae
- Green Residence Guide - ICPicp.gov.ae
- Issuing a golden residence permit (entrepreneurs) - GDRFA Dubaiwww.gdrfad.gov.ae
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in United Arab Emirates.
Startup visa
No startup visa; Golden Visa entrepreneur category or Green Visa instead
02Temporary residence
5- or 10-year renewable residence, sponsor-free, with family included
03Permanent residence
No PR concept; renewing a long-term visa is the closest equivalent
04Citizenship
Nomination by federal entities only; nominees may keep their nationality