By Sanjana Ray
With the UAE鈥檚 updated Golden Visa policy for Indians, you no longer need to pour crores into real estate or business ventures to get your hands on this much sought-after residency permit. Indian citizens can now secure lifetime residency without meeting the earlier financial thresholds 鈥 like investing at least AED 2 million (approximately Rs 4.66 crore) in property, or making large-scale business investments. The Middle Eastern country has now launched a promising pilot programme that offers Golden Visas through a nomination-based system, though there are, of course, a few conditions attached. Given that Indians make up one of the largest expat communities in Dubai and across the Emirates, this is definitely good news for many who鈥檝e been eyeing a move. But before you start packing your bags, here鈥檚 everything you need to know.
UAE鈥檚 new Golden Visa for Indians: Eligibility, benefits, application process, validity & everything else you need to know
Eligibility
First and foremost, Indian citizens applying for the UAE Golden Visa have to pass some instrumental security checks. For every application, relevant authorities at the Rayad Group, the firm selected to pilot the nomination-based Golden Visa in India, will conduct a thorough background check which will include screening for criminal records, anti-money laundering compliance, and even a review of the applicant鈥檚 social media presence.
This detailed evaluation will also assess how the applicant in question might contribute to the UAE鈥檚 economy or society through culture, finance, trade, science, startups, or professional services. Post this vetting process, these applications will be sent to the UAE government, which will then make the final decision on whether to offer the said applicant with a Golden Visa or not.
This new, expanded Golden Visa rule looks to broaden the expat pool beyond entrepreneurs, investors and students to target scientists, executives, frontline workers, school teachers, principals and university faculty, nurses, educators, and content creators to the country.
Requirements
Indians applying for a Golden Visa to the UAE are required to pay a fee of AED 1,00,000 (around Rs 23.30 lakh). Over 5,000 Indians are expected to apply for the nomination-based visa in three months, people involved in the programme told news agency PTI.
How to apply for the UAE Golden Visa
Considering that the UAE鈥檚 Golden Visa pilot programme is only limited to Indian and Bangladeshi nationals for the time being, citizens of both countries can submit their applications through One VASCO centres (visa concierge service company) in India and Bangladesh, Rayad Group’s registered offices, online portals, or a dedicated call centre. They may obtain pre-approval from their home country without the need to visit Dubai.
The new Golden Visa programme offers a series of benefits which include lifetime residency for Indian (and Bangladeshi) citizens, with rights to sponsor family members, domestic workers, and drivers. 鈥淵ou can do any business or professional work here,鈥 Rayad Group MD Rayad Kamal Ayub told PTI.
In contrast to the property-based Golden Visa, which becomes invalid if the purchased property was sold or divided, the nomination-based Golden Visa remains permanent regardless of property ownership status.