Golden Visa UAE: Salary Requirements for 2024
The UAE has been known for its inclusive and hospitable culture. Presently, nearly 90% of the nation’s inhabitants are foreign citizens.
Previously, making long-term plans in the UAE was challenging due to visa regulations linking residency to employment and necessitating periodic renewal. However, recent changes have transformed this landscape, allowing foreign nationals to envision enduring and fulfilling careers in the UAE.
Under revised visa laws, relocating to and residing in the UAE has become more accessible than ever, potentially allowing indefinite stays for some. Notably, the UAE Golden Visa initiative stands out, enabling eligible individuals to live in the country long-term without employer sponsorship.
Understanding the Golden Visa
Created to attract and retain investors and exceptional talent, the UAE Golden Visa offers extended residency to successful applicants.
Golden Visa holders enjoy the freedom to live, work, and study in the UAE, with the ability to sponsor family members. Additional privileges include:
- Multiple-entry entry visa valid for six months upon issuance.
- Renewable visa for up to ten years.
- No requirement for a sponsor or ongoing employment.
- Permission to reside outside the UAE for extended periods.
- Capability to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic workers.
- Visa continuation for family members in case of the primary holder’s demise.
Advantages of the UAE Golden Visa
As a UAE Golden Visa holder, you can benefit from:
Long-term residency
The Golden Visa allows residency in the UAE for ten-year periods, facilitating a stable life foundation.
Employer-independent residence
Previously intricate, gaining UAE residency without employment is simplified through the Golden Visa. Investors, entrepreneurs, and executive directors can establish long-term roots without the need for continuous employment or local partnerships.
Family rights
The Golden Visa streamlines family reunification, enabling holders to sponsor spouses, children, and in some cases, parents, avoiding lengthy and costly visa processes.
Salary Requirements for UAE Golden Visa in 2024
Financial criteria for Golden Visa applicants vary by investor type, special talent, or other eligible groups.
Public investors must demonstrate payment of at least AED 250,000 (USD 68,000) in taxes annually to the UAE government, verified by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Real estate investors need property holdings totaling a minimum of AED 2 million (USD 545,000).
Entrepreneurs must invest in a technology or future-oriented project worth at least AED 500,000 (USD 136,000). Executive directors require proof of a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 (USD 8,200).
Note: The monthly salary requirement for executive directors was previously AED 50,000 (USD 13,600) but has been reduced to AED 30,000 (USD 8,200), encompassing all income sources.
Additional Requirements for the Golden Visa
Eligibility prerequisites for the UAE Golden Visa vary depending on the applicant’s status:
- Public investors must possess a valid commercial or industrial license with a capital of at least AED 2 million (USD 545,000).
- Real estate investors must finance property through an approved local bank loan.
- Entrepreneurs require endorsement from an accredited business incubator for their proposed venture.
Special talents must demonstrate expertise in their field, possibly through prestigious awards, specialized degrees, or recognition from an emirate’s arts and culture department.
Executive directors must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a Ministry of Education-accredited university, along with a valid work contract and evidence of five years in the same position.
Steps to Apply for the UAE Golden Visa
Applying for your UAE Golden Visa with Brightlink Consulting is efficient and straightforward. Here’s a streamlined four-step process:
Step 1: Preliminary checks and eligibility assessment
Brightlink Consulting experts evaluate your eligibility to ensure a smooth application process and minimize potential delays or rejections.
Step 2: Category selection
Based on your circumstances, you’ll be guided to choose the most suitable application category—investor, special talent, or executive director.
Step 3: Application submission
Once eligibility is confirmed, proceed to submit your Golden Visa application. This can primarily be done online, though some steps may require in-person visits to an immigration service center. Prepare necessary documents such as passport copies, financial proofs, and a business plan or CV if applicable.
Step 4: Visa issuance
Upon application submission, expect to receive your Golden Visa within seven to ten business days, with updates provided by the Brightlink Consulting team. Once obtained, you are free to embark on your new journey in the UAE.
Why Choose Brightlink Consulting?
Brightlink Consulting boasts extensive experience assisting investors in establishing themselves in the UAE. Our dedicated team understands the country’s business landscape, real estate markets, and intricacies of immigration procedures.
We’re committed to supporting you every step of the way, catering to your investment and visa needs. For those looking to lay the groundwork for life in the UAE, Brightlink Consulting offers the ideal starting point.
Contact us today to initiate your journey forward.