UAE Golden Visa: How Indians can now get lifetime residency without investment - key details

The United Arab Emiratesin a major policy shift has introduced a new nomination-based Golden Visa for Indians, offering lifetime residency without the requirement to invest in property or business. Under this system, eligible individuals can secure permanent residency by paying a one-time fee of AED 1,00,000 (approximately Rs 23.3 lakh).

What is the Golden Visa? The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa allowing foreign nationals to live, work, or study in the UAE.

Key benefits include:

• A multiple-entry entry visa for six months to initiate the process
  
  
• A renewable residency visa valid for 5 or 10 years
  
  
• No requirement for a local sponsor
  
  
• Freedom to stay outside the UAE for more than six months without losing residency
  
  
• Ability to sponsor family members of any age
  
  
• Unlimited domestic staff sponsorship
  
  
• Family members can remain in the UAE even after the visa holder’s death
  

What’s new for Indians?Previously, Indian citizens could access the Golden Visa primarily through property investments of AED 2 million (₹4.66 crore) or large business investments. Under the new nomination-based system, applicants can now be approved without investing, based on:

• Professional background
  
• Societal contributions
  
• Potential value to UAE’s cultural, trade, scientific, finance or startup sectors
  

This pilot phase is currently available to applicants from India and Bangladesh, with over 5,000 Indian applications expected in the first three months.

Also read: UAE rolls out new golden visa: Lifetime residency at Rs 23 lakh, India among first to benefit

Key features of the new nomination model:

• No property or business investment required
  
• Eligibility based on professional background, societal contributions, or value to UAE’s culture, trade, science, startups, or finance sectors
  
• AED 1,00,000 one-time fee
  
• Lifetime residency
  
• Visa holders can bring family, employ staff, and run businesses
  
• Nomination vetting includes checks for money laundering, criminal history, and social media activity

How to apply? Applications are being handled by Rayad Group, in partnership with VFS and One Vasco centres across India and Bangladesh. Applicants can also apply through the group’s online portal or call centre.

Rayad Kamal Ayub, Managing Director of Rayad Group, called it a "golden opportunity for Indians." He added that applicants will undergo anti-money laundering, criminal background, and social media checks, but the final decision rests with UAE authorities.

Approved individuals receive permanent residency, can bring family, employ staff, and pursue business or professional work. Unlike earlier investment-linked visas, the nomination-based Golden Visa does not expire, even if assets are sold.

Applications can be filed through:

• ICP website or ICP mobile app
  
• For Dubai: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
  

The ‘One Touch’ Golden Visa service simplifies the entire process of visa application, identity documentation, renewals, and status changes—conveniently bundled into a single step.

This new initiative reflects the UAE’s growing strategic and economic ties with India, particularly after the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022. The nomination-based model is expected to extend to other CEPA countries like China in future phases.

Traditional Golden Visa options still apply Alongside the nomination model, the traditional investment and merit-based routes for Golden Visas remain active. These include:

1. Investors

• AED 2 million investment in a UAE-accredited fund
  
  
• AED 250,000 annual tax payment to the UAE government
  
  
• 10-year visa
  
  
• Must own capital outright and provide proof of medical insurance
  
  

2. Real Estate Investors

• AED 2 million minimum property value
  
  
• Loans allowed only from approved banks
  
  
• 5-year visa
  
  

3. Entrepreneurs

• Must own a technical or innovation-based business worth at least AED 500,000
  
  
• 5-year visa
  
  
• Letters required from auditor, local authority, and incubator
  
  

4. Specialised Talents Eligible applicants (10-year visa) include:

• Doctors, scientists, artists, executives, athletes, engineers
  
  
• Must present approvals or degrees and meet salary or experience criteria
  
  

5. Outstanding Students

• High school toppers (min. 95%) get a 5-year visa
  
  
• University students with high GPAs from top-rated institutions get a 10-year visa
  
  

6. Humanitarian Workers

• Must have five years’ experience or awards in humanitarian service
  
  
• Or fund aid worth AED 2 million
  
  

7. Frontline Heroes

• Nurses, lab techs, and healthcare staff who served during crises like COVID-19
  
  
• Require recommendation from competent authority