Podcast: Jeremy Savory on Running a CBI Business in Hyper-Competitive Dubai
August 1, 2022
Savory & Partners founder Jeremy Savory on running a CBI business in Dubai, becoming a Portugal resident, and the potential of Turkey.
United Arab Emirates
Golden Visa Program
The United Arab Emirates grants golden visas – a long-term residence permit that enables foreign specialists or investors to live, work, or study in the country – to individuals who either invest in the country or who qualify as “outstanding specialized talents”.
The visa is renewable and has a validity of either 5 or 10 years, depending on the qualification type.
The program has no path to permanent residence or citizenship.
Program at a glance
| Program Type | Golden Visa Program |
| Time to citizenship | N/A |
| Time to permanent residency | N/A |
| Minimum investment | AED 500,000 (for investment-based applications) |
| Physical presence requirement | None |
| Application processing time | 1 month |
| Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 178 destinations, including Schengen countries and the United States |
| Contribution types available | Property Investment, Business Investment, Fund Investment |
Want IMI to put you in touch with a trusted specialist for this program?
How to Qualify
Salient Benefits
Path to Citizenship
Program Authority
Program Legal Basis
How to Qualify
General program requirements
To qualify, applicants must either invest
AED 2 million in real estate;
AED 2 million in investment funds;
AED 500,000 in an economic project of a “technical nature”;
OR have an “outstanding specialized talent” (learn more).
Salient Benefits
Program benefits
- Safety and security;
- Enhanced education opportunities;
- Enhanced business access to large economies;
- Short processing time;
- Minimal physical presence requirements;
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship;
- Lower taxes;
- Warm climate.
Path to Citizenship
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
There is no standardised path to citizenship through the UAE Golden Visa program. The only possibility is through allowance of citizenship by discretion through the Nationality Act, which needs to come from the rulers of the United Arab Emirates. Criteria for obtaining UAE citizenship by discretion are not quantitatively defined.
Program Authority
Applications for this program may be directed to:
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
Program Legal Basis
Legislation upon which this program is based:
No. 65/2022 to Federal Decree-Law No. 29/2021 on Foreigners’ Entry and Residency
Talk to a Trusted Program Specialist
As the hub for investment migration professionals, IMI is regularly in touch with program specialists in every corner of the globe.
Tell us a little about your situation and what you need so that we may put you in touch with the right advisors.
Recent stories about this destination
The Truth About the UAE’s Golden Visa: Not All It’s Cracked Up to Be
July 1, 2022
Saahil Menon points out that the program is no path to permanent settlement in the UAE, and questions if settlement there is even desirable.
UAE Makes Sweeping Changes to Visa Rules to Attract Capital, Talent, and Long Term Settlers
April 20, 2022
Investment-based visas are now valid for 10 years and at much lower minimum investment requirements than in the past.
RIF Trust Appointed IMC’s Regional Rep. in Middle East: Will “Uphold Code of Ethics” and “Lead by Example”
February 8, 2022
RIF Trust, the IMC’s new regional representative for the Middle East, will support local industry practitioners – and keep an eye on them too.
Rich Indians Should Flock to Istanbul – Not to Dubai
December 17, 2021
Saahil Menon, himself an Indian, argues that HNWI from the subcontinent have more reason than ever to leave home. But not for Dubai.
Dubai-Firm Duped Investors With $10,000 “Processing Fee” for Non-Existent UAE Citizenship Program
March 17, 2021
All together now: “The UAE does not have a citizenship by investment program.”
Explore Programs
Direct Citizenship Programs
Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Semi-Direct Citizenship Programs
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Golden Visa Programs
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Independent Means Visas
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Active Investor Visas
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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