The UAE has simplified the Golden Residence Scheme, varying eligibility based on the applicant’s profession.
- For Scientists: The candidate must have a Ph.D. or a Master’s degree in engineering, technology, life sciences, or natural sciences from the best universities in the world, as well as substantial research achievements and recommendations from the Emirates Scientists Council.
- For Professionals: This category has seen the most significant expansion to include highly-skilled workers with educational qualifications and experience in all disciplines.
- For Exceptional Talents: The visa will be granted based on talent, regardless of education, salary, or professional status. Candidates must have a recommendation from a federal or local government body.
- For Real Estate Investors: Investors who have purchased property valued at at least $544,500 (AED 2 million) or purchased a property with a loan from specific local banks may be eligible.
- For Outstanding Students and Graduates: Candidates must be high-performers at UAE secondary schools, graduates from UAE universities, or the best 100 universities worldwide.
- For Humanitarian Workers: To be eligible, candidates must be distinguished members of international and regional organizations, outstanding members of public benefit associations, recipients of recognition awards in humanitarian fields, or distinguished volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian efforts.
- Frontline Workers: To be eligible, candidates have shown extraordinary efforts in a crisis. Frontline Heroes Office has issued over 30,000 UAE Golden Visas to frontline professionals involved in the country’s pandemic response and civil, public safety, and other efforts.
The 10-year residency visa is granted to investors, entrepreneurs, startup founders, exceptional talents, students and graduates, scientists, professionals in various fields, and humanitarian and frontline workers. The Golden Visa benefits also extend to immediate family members, and children may be sponsored until they are 25 years old or older if the child is an unmarried woman.
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