United Arab Emirates Golden Visa

Yes, you can obtain residency in the United Arab Emirates by purchasing real estate for up to 10 years..For property investors, the UAE provides a variety of resident visa alternatives, including the well-known Golden Visa program. This program enables investors and their immediate family members to get long-term residency in the UAE by investing in real estate.Typically, a minimum property investment of AED 2 million (about $550,000) is required if targeting the highest available validity of a 10-year residency. However, if you want to gain residency for two years, you must invest a minimum of AED 750,000.

United Arab Emirates Golden Visa, the primary tax implications are positive for visa holders. The UAE is known for its favorable tax environment.‍Income Tax Exemption: Individuals, including Golden Visa holders, are not subject to personal income tax in the UAE. This means that in the UAE, any income, whether local or foreign, deriving from any job, company, or investments, is exempt from income tax.‍Capital Gains and Inheritance Tax: Historically, the UAE has not levied taxes on capital gains, wealth, or inheritance. This has made it an appealing location for individuals seeking to preserve and pass on their riches while avoiding significant tax liabilities.‍Corporate Taxation: Depending on the individual region and the type of company activity, corporate entities in the UAE may benefit from a low or zero corporate tax rate. It is crucial to remember, however, that the tax landscape for enterprises varies depending on the emirate and the sort of company activity.

‍If you own properties in UAE already, you are eligible for a Golden Visa as long as you meet the existing minimum investment requirements as follows:Provide a letter from the relevant emirate's land department confirming your ownership of one or more properties worth at least one million for the 5 years residency or the two million dirhams property value for the 10-year valueMirabello Consultancy will also be able to help you with the process.

Under the Golden Visa program in the UAE, you can include your spouse, unmarried children under the age of 25, as well as your parents. All of these family members could be included in your visa application.

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa available to investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and exceptional talents. The most common route for investors requires a minimum property investment of AED 2,000,000 (approximately USD 545,000) for a 10-year visa. A shorter 2-year investor visa is available from AED 750,000.

• Property investors: AED 2M+ in UAE real estate for a 10-year Golden Visa
• Entrepreneurs: Owners of businesses with annual revenue of AED 1M+ or approved by an accredited business incubator
• Skilled professionals: Holders of specialised degrees, researchers, and professionals in priority sectors
• Outstanding students: Top-performing graduates from UAE and international universities

The UAE charges zero income tax, making it one of the most tax-efficient residency options globally. Processing typically takes just 2-3 months, and there is no minimum stay requirement — you simply need to enter the UAE within six months of visa issuance. Contact Mirabello Consultancy for expert guidance on the best route for your profile.

The UAE Golden Visa has no minimum stay requirement, making it one of the most flexible residency programmes in the world. Unlike many other countries' residency-by-investment schemes, you are not obligated to spend a specific number of days in the UAE each year to maintain your visa status.

• Entry requirement: You must enter the UAE within 6 months of your visa being issued to activate it
• No annual minimum days: There is no requirement to spend 90, 183, or any other minimum number of days per year in the UAE
• 10-year duration: The visa is valid for 10 years and is renewable
• Automatic cancellation protection: Unlike standard UAE residency visas (which can be cancelled after 6 months outside the country), the Golden Visa provides greater flexibility for international travellers

This makes the UAE Golden Visa ideal for global business professionals and investors who require a stable base in the Middle East without the obligation of permanent relocation. Mirabello Consultancy can assist with the entire application process from our Dubai office.

The UAE Golden Visa has one of the fastest processing times of any major residency-by-investment programme. From complete application submission to visa issuance, the standard processing time is approximately 2 to 3 months. In some cases, particularly for straightforward property investment applications, approvals can come even sooner.

• Document preparation: 1-2 weeks to compile and authenticate all required paperwork
• Application submission: Filed through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
• Processing: Typically 4-8 weeks for review and due diligence
• Visa stamping: Once approved, the visa is stamped in your passport or issued as an e-visa
• Emirates ID: Issued upon completion, which serves as your national identity card in the UAE

The UAE authorities have invested significantly in streamlining their visa processing infrastructure, and the system is notably efficient. Mirabello Consultancy's Dubai-based team can manage your application locally, ensuring the fastest possible turnaround.

Yes, the UAE Golden Visa grants full permission to live and work in the UAE without the need for a separate work permit or employer sponsorship. This is a significant advantage over standard UAE employment visas, which are tied to a specific employer.

• Self-sponsorship: You are your own sponsor — no employer tie-in required
• Business ownership: Full right to establish and own businesses in the UAE, including 100% foreign ownership in most sectors
• Employment flexibility: Freedom to work for any employer, multiple employers, or as a freelancer
• Free zone and mainland: Ability to operate businesses in both free zones and mainland UAE

The Golden Visa effectively provides an open work permit, making it attractive for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and executives who wish to maintain maximum professional flexibility. Combined with the UAE's zero income tax environment, this creates a compelling proposition for high-net-worth professionals. Mirabello Consultancy can advise on the optimal business structuring alongside your visa application.

To qualify for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa through property investment, you must purchase real estate valued at AED 2,000,000 or more. The property must meet certain criteria set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

• Completed properties: Fully built residential properties are the most straightforward qualifying route
• Off-plan properties: Off-plan purchases may qualify provided they are from approved developers and meet minimum value thresholds
• Multiple properties: You may combine the value of more than one property to meet the AED 2M threshold
• Mortgage considerations: Properties purchased with a mortgage may qualify, but the property must be valued at AED 2M+ regardless of the outstanding loan amount
• Freehold areas: Property must be in designated freehold areas where foreign ownership is permitted

For the 2-year investor visa, the minimum property value is AED 750,000. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates each have designated freehold zones. Mirabello Consultancy's real estate specialist, Nate, has over 15 years of Dubai luxury property experience and can help identify qualifying investments.

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit, not a direct path to citizenship. However, the UAE has introduced provisions that may allow exceptional long-term residents to be considered for Emirati citizenship under specific circumstances.

• Residency only: The Golden Visa grants 10-year renewable residency, not citizenship
• Citizenship decree (2021): The UAE introduced a framework allowing the government to nominate certain investors, scientists, and professionals for citizenship
• Nomination-based: Citizenship is granted by government nomination only — there is no formal application process for investors
• Discretionary: Decisions are made at the sole discretion of the UAE authorities and are not guaranteed

For most investors, the value of the UAE Golden Visa lies in its residency benefits, tax advantages, and lifestyle rather than as a citizenship pathway. If obtaining a second passport is your primary goal, Mirabello Consultancy can advise on combining a UAE Golden Visa with a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programme for an optimal global mobility strategy.