United Arab Emirates · Permanent residence

Golden Residency

Golden Residency is issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). VisaAI tracks 14 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

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Requirements change. Confirm every item on Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)’s own page before you apply.

Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.

Conditions you must meet

  • No sponsor is requiredUnlike most UAE residence routes, the Golden Residency is granted without a sponsoring employer or individual, and runs for five or ten years with automatic renewal depending on the category.
    The Golden Residency is one of the flagship initiatives of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). It enables eligible individuals to obtain long-term residency in the United Arab Emirates for a period of five or ten years, with automatic renewal, without the need for a sponsor.
  • Investors: minimum capital of AED 2 millionApplies to the public-investment category, which the authority grants for ten years.
    A minimum capital investment of AED 2 million.
  • Investors: or an establishment paying AED 250,000 in annual taxesAn alternative to the capital threshold for the same category — the page states it as an either/or, not an additional requirement.
    Ownership of real estate or a stake in an establishment that pays annual taxes of no less than AED 250,000.
  • Entrepreneurs: an innovative or technology-based projectThe authority scopes this category by the nature of the project rather than by a capital figure.
    Innovative or technology-based projects.
  • Humanitarian pioneers: five years' involvement or 500 volunteer hoursThe authority states these as alternatives, and the volunteer-hours figure is a minimum.
    Proof of involvement in humanitarian organisations for ≥ 5 years or completion of at least 500 volunteer hours.

Documents you must provide

  • Investors: letter from an accredited investment fundDocumentary proof of the deposit behind the capital threshold above.
    A letter from an accredited investment fund confirming the existence of a deposit of no less than AED 2 million.
  • Real-estate investors: land registration department letterThe authority requires the property to be unencumbered — it says 'without loans'.
    A letter from the Land Registration Department confirming ownership of one or more properties valued at ≥ AED 2 million (without loans).
  • Real-estate investors: proof of residence in the UAEEither property ownership or a tenancy contract satisfies this.
    Proof of residence in the UAE (property ownership or tenancy contract).
  • Entrepreneurs: documents verifying the project's valueThe page does not state a threshold figure for entrepreneurs, only that the value must be evidenced.
    Documents verifying the value of the project.
  • Entrepreneurs: letter from a business incubator or the emirate's authorityEither an accredited incubator or the relevant authority in the emirate may issue it.
    A letter from a business incubator or the relevant authority in the emirate.
  • Outstanding students: excellence certificatesThe authority grants five years for outstanding high-school students and ten for university students.
    Excellence certificates.
  • Outstanding students: recommendation lettersIssued by the school or university the applicant attends.
    Recommendation letters from the school or university.
  • Humanitarian pioneers: certificates of appreciationRecognition of the outstanding efforts on which this category is granted.
    Certificates of appreciation or documentation of outstanding efforts.
  • Passport copy and health insuranceListed by the authority among the required documents for the humanitarian category.
    Passport copy and health insurance.

Official sources

  • Golden Residency Guide — Official page, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)

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