How to Obtain Permanent Residency in the UAE: A Complete Guide for 2026

Last updated: March 2026

Why trust Mirabello Consultancy with your UAE application? As an IMC-accredited, ACAMS-certified investment migration firm headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, we have guided over 250 families to successful citizenship with a 99% approval rate. Our Swiss precision and personalised approach ensure your application receives expert attention from start to finish. Meet our team.

Considering UAE citizenship? Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy to discuss the best investment route for you and your family.

What Does Permanent Residency in the UAE Actually Mean?

If you have been asking yourself how can I live in UAE permanently, the first step is understanding how the UAE structures long-term residency. Unlike many countries, the UAE does not issue a traditional "permanent residency" status that mirrors a green card or indefinite leave to remain. Instead, the UAE offers long-term renewable residency visas — most notably the celebrated UAE Golden Visa — that provide equivalent practical benefits to permanent residency when maintained correctly.

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency programme introduced by the UAE government in 2019 and significantly expanded in 2022. It grants holders the right to live, work, and study in the UAE for periods of 5 or 10 years, with unrestricted renewal provided the conditions of the visa category continue to be met. Crucially, Golden Visa holders are not required to have a local employer or national sponsor, giving them a degree of independence unmatched by standard UAE residency categories.

For many high-net-worth families and globally mobile professionals, the UAE Golden Visa effectively functions as the permanent residency solution they are seeking — and it is the cornerstone of every long-term UAE residency strategy we design at Mirabello Consultancy.

To explore how the UAE Golden Visa compares with other leading global programmes, visit our comprehensive guide to the best golden visa investment programmes.

Why the UAE Remains One of the World's Most Compelling Residency Destinations

The United Arab Emirates has, over the past two decades, transformed into one of the most sought-after destinations for UHNW individuals, entrepreneurs, and internationally mobile families. The reasons are both practical and lifestyle-driven.

From a financial perspective, the UAE levies zero personal income tax, zero capital gains tax, and zero inheritance tax on individuals. This makes it one of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions in the world for wealth management and business activity. Dubai and Abu Dhabi both serve as regional financial hubs with exceptional connectivity — Dubai International Airport links directly to over 240 destinations worldwide.

Quality of life in the UAE ranks among the highest globally. World-class healthcare facilities, internationally accredited private schools, an extraordinarily safe environment (the UAE consistently ranks in the top five globally for personal safety), and a cosmopolitan, English-friendly culture make the country genuinely liveable for families from all backgrounds.

For those considering optionality beyond residency, it is also worth noting that naturalised UAE citizenship — while selective and not linked directly to investment — can be granted to exceptional talent and long-term contributors, opening access to a passport that offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries as of 2026.

How Can You Live in the UAE Permanently? The Main Investment and Residency Routes

There are several structured pathways through which qualifying individuals can secure long-term residency in the UAE. Each route has its own investment threshold, eligibility criteria, and practical advantages. Below, we outline the primary options relevant to HNW and UHNW applicants in 2026.

1. UAE Golden Visa via Real Estate Investment

This is the most popular route for internationally mobile investors. To qualify for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa through property, applicants must invest a minimum of AED 2 million (approximately USD 545,000) in UAE real estate. The property must be fully paid (not mortgaged beyond the qualifying threshold), and can be residential or certain commercial categories approved by the relevant emirate authority.

Off-plan properties can now qualify in many cases, provided the developer is registered and the investment meets the AED 2 million threshold. This has made Dubai's thriving off-plan market particularly attractive to international buyers seeking both capital appreciation and Golden Visa eligibility simultaneously.

2. UAE Golden Visa via Business Investment

Entrepreneurs and investors who own or establish a business in the UAE may qualify for the Golden Visa if their company has a paid-up capital of at least AED 2 million or if they are a partner in a venture valued at AED 2 million or more. Additionally, founders of start-ups approved by an accredited UAE business incubator may qualify on merit rather than purely on capital thresholds.

3. UAE Golden Visa for Skilled Professionals and Exceptional Talent

Doctors, scientists, engineers, artists, athletes, and other professionals with verifiable exceptional talent in their field can apply for the Golden Visa without a minimum investment requirement. Applicants in this category typically require endorsement from a relevant UAE federal ministry or authority.

4. Standard Long-Term Residency Visas

Beyond the Golden Visa, the UAE offers the 5-year Green Visa, introduced in 2022, for skilled employees and freelancers earning above a minimum salary threshold, as well as business owners meeting lower capital requirements than the Golden Visa. For those who do not yet meet Golden Visa thresholds, the Green Visa can serve as an effective intermediate solution.

Our team at Mirabello Consultancy will assess your precise circumstances and recommend the most suitable and cost-effective pathway for your goals. Contact us today for your complimentary consultation.

Eligibility Requirements for the UAE Golden Visa in 2026

Eligibility requirements vary by category, but across all routes applicants should expect to demonstrate the following:

• Clean criminal record: A certificate of good conduct from the applicant's home country and any countries of long-term residence is required.
• Valid passport: The applicant's passport must have a minimum of six months' validity at the time of application.
• Medical fitness: A standard UAE medical examination (including TB and HIV screening) is required for all residency visa applicants.
• Investment documentation: Proof of qualifying investment — title deed, bank statements, company registration documents — depending on the route.
• Health insurance: All UAE residents must hold valid UAE-recognised health insurance coverage.

There are no nationality restrictions for the UAE Golden Visa. Applicants from any country are eligible to apply, making it one of the most globally accessible long-term residency programmes in existence. There is also no language requirement and no minimum physical presence requirement during the initial application process, though residency holders should enter the UAE at least once every 180 days to maintain their visa status (Golden Visa holders are exempt from this rule, allowing them to remain abroad indefinitely without losing their UAE residency).

Step-by-Step Application Process

At Mirabello Consultancy, we manage the entire application process on your behalf, from initial eligibility assessment through to Emirates ID collection. Here is how the process typically unfolds for a real estate-based Golden Visa application:

1. Initial Consultation and Strategy: We review your investment portfolio, nationality, family situation, and objectives to identify the optimal visa category and emirate. Timelines: 1–3 business days.
2. Investment Confirmation: For property-based applications, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer and a Title Deed from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or relevant emirate authority must be obtained. If the property is already purchased, this step is straightforward.
3. Pre-Approval Application: We submit the Golden Visa pre-approval application to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) via the relevant emirate's system (e.g., GDRFA Dubai or ADRO Abu Dhabi).
4. Entry Permit Issuance: Once pre-approved, an entry permit is issued, valid for 60 days. If the applicant is outside the UAE, they enter on this permit.
5. Medical Examination: Conducted at an approved UAE health centre. Results are typically available within 24–48 hours.
6. Emirates ID Biometrics: Applicants attend an ICP-approved typing centre to submit biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) for the Emirates ID.
7. Visa Stamping and Emirates ID Issuance: The UAE residency visa is stamped in the passport, and the Emirates ID is issued — typically within 5–10 working days of biometrics submission.

Total processing time from submission of documents to visa issuance typically ranges from 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the route, emirate, and completeness of documentation provided.

Timeline and Costs at a Glance

Transparency in fees is a principle we hold firmly at Mirabello Consultancy. Below is a representative overview of costs and timelines associated with the primary Golden Visa route:

• Minimum qualifying investment (real estate): AED 2,000,000 (approx. USD 545,000)
• Government visa fees: Approximately AED 4,000–6,000 (approx. USD 1,100–1,650) per applicant
• Emirates ID fee: Approximately AED 370 per year for a 10-year card
• Medical examination: Approximately AED 300–700 depending on the emirate and facility
• Health insurance: Variable; basic UAE-compliant plans start from approximately AED 600–1,200 per year
• Professional advisory fees: Contact Mirabello Consultancy for a tailored proposal
• Total processing time: 2–8 weeks

For a broader comparison of global investment migration costs and returns, please review our guide to the best citizenship by investment programmes.

Including Your Family: Sponsorship and Dependants

One of the most valued features of the UAE Golden Visa is its generous family inclusion provisions. As a Golden Visa holder, you can sponsor the following dependants without any additional investment requirement:

• Spouse: Your husband or wife can be included on your Golden Visa residency.
• Children: Sons and daughters of any age (unmarried daughters have no age restriction; sons can be included up to the age of 25, or beyond if they have a disability).
• Parents: Both parents of the primary Golden Visa holder can be sponsored, a particularly significant feature that many competing residency programmes do not offer.
• Domestic staff: Household employees may also be sponsored under a separate domestic worker visa linked to the primary holder's residency.

In the tragic event that the primary Golden Visa holder passes away, their family members retain the right to remain in the UAE on the existing visa until it expires — a compassionate provision that provides genuine security for families.

For families considering multiple residency and citizenship strategies in parallel, our advisors can structure a comprehensive plan incorporating programmes such as the UAE Golden Visa, alongside complementary options like the Portugal Golden Visa or the Greece Golden Visa, creating true global optionality.

Frequently Asked Questions