The United Arab Emirates’ Golden Visa program has been expanded to include new professions and to add flexibility to current restrictions. These changes were announced on April 23, 2026.
Key Changes
- The Golden Visa program will now include nurses, teachers, e-sports professionals, digital creators, and Waqf donors.
- Skilled professionals in data science, AI, healthcare and clean-energy engineering can now qualify with approved credentials and a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000.
- Entrepreneurs will receive credit for innovation metrics such as patents or accelerator backing rather than only balance-sheet size.
- The rules for families have been relaxes, removing the age cap for sponsored children, and automatically qualifying spouses for the same 10-year permit.
- Also, as part of this expansion of eligibility, for property investors mortgaged and off-plan assets now count provided the total purchase price is at least AED 2 million.
Applications are fully digital via the ICP or GDRFA portals.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.