Golden Residency Guide

Public Investments

• The investor must have a financial deposit of at least AED 2,000,000 with an investment fund or one of the national banks operating in the UAE.
• The investor must establish an establishment or company in the UAE with a capital of at least AED 2,000,000.
• The investor must be a partner in an existing or newly established establishment or company, with a financial share of at least AED 2,000,000.
• The investor must own an establishment or company that is committed to paying the taxes due to the Federal Government, amounting to at least AED 250,000 annually.
• The investor must be a partner in an establishment or company that is committed to paying the taxes due to the Federal Tax Authority, provided that the value of the investor’s shareholding corresponds to an amount of at least AED 250,000 annually of the total tax paid.
• The invested capital must be fully owned by the investor and must not be derived from a loan. The investor must provide documents and evidence demonstrating the source and ownership of the capital.
• The investor and their family members must have comprehensive and valid health insurance coverage at the time of applying for Golden Residency.

Real Estate Investments

• The investor must own one or more properties in the UAE with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000, with full ownership of the property registered in the investor’s name. The property may be financed through a loan, provided that the financing is obtained from an approved local bank.
• The investor must have purchased one or more off-plan property units with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000, provided that the purchase is made from an approved local real estate company authorised by the competent local authority.
• The investor and their family members must have comprehensive and valid health insurance coverage throughout the validity period of the residency.

Secondary School Students

• The applicant must have obtained a Grade 12 certificate from a government school or a private school licensed by the Ministry of Education or the relevant local education authority.
• The student must have achieved a minimum grade of 95% in secondary school, or its equivalent, in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Education and the relevant local education authorities.
• The secondary school certificate must be attested by the Ministry of Education.

Graduates of International Universities

• The university from which the applicant graduated must be ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, according to the international ranking recognised by the Ministry of Education.
• The applicant must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, or its equivalent, for their bachelor’s degree.
• No more than two years must have elapsed since the applicant’s graduation date at the time of application.
• The academic qualification must be attested by the Ministry of Education.

Graduates of UAE Universities

• The applicant must hold a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a university licensed by the Ministry of Education.
• The university from which the applicant graduated must be classified in either Category (A) or Category (B), according to the classification approved by the Ministry of Education.
• The academic qualification must be attested by the Ministry of Education.
• No more than two years must have elapsed since the applicant’s graduation date at the time of application.
• The applicant must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0, or its equivalent, if they graduated from a university classified as Category (A).
• The applicant must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.8 out of 4.0, or its equivalent, if they graduated from a university classified as Category (B).

Culture and Arts

• The applicant must have received a prestigious and internationally recognised global or international award in their creative field. (Creative Category)
• The applicant must have been nominated for a prestigious and internationally recognised global award in their creative field. (Creative Category)
• The applicant must have received a certificate of recognition from a prestigious international organisation in recognition of their outstanding creative contributions and achievements. (Creative Category)
• The applicant must hold an honorary position with a prestigious international organisation in recognition of their creativity and outstanding achievements in their field. (Creative Category)
• The applicant must have received a certificate of recognition from a prestigious local or regional organisation in their creative field. (Distinguished Category)
• The applicant must have received a nomination certificate for a prestigious local or regional award in their field. (Distinguished Category)
• The applicant must hold an honorary position with a prestigious local or regional organisation in recognition of their creativity and outstanding achievements in their field. (Distinguished Category)
• The applicant must have at least five years of professional experience in intellectual or creative production. (Distinguished Professional Category)
• The applicant must have had creative works published or distributed locally, regionally or internationally during the past three years. (Distinguished Professional Category)
• The applicant’s creative works and productions must have received notable recognition from the creative community in their field. (Distinguished Professional Category)
• The applicant must have collaborated or worked with well-known and prestigious organisations locally, regionally or internationally, whether in their country of residence or in other countries. (Distinguished Professional Category)
• The applicant’s creative works must have attracted the attention of critics, the media or specialised bodies in their field. (Distinguished Professional Category)
• The applicant must hold active membership of a prestigious international arts organisation or association. (Distinguished Professional Category)

Scientists and Specialised Professionals

• Scientists and researchers with significant achievements and high impact in their field, based on a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council.
• Leading scientists and religious scholars with significant contributions and high impact, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Culture and Youth or the relevant local authorities.
• Leading specialists in the fields of industry and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology or the relevant local authorities.
• Leading specialists in healthcare, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Health and Prevention or the relevant local authorities.
• Leading specialists in education, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Education or the relevant local authorities.
• Skilled professionals in senior occupational levels, in accordance with the occupational classification approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. This includes chairpersons and chief executives at occupational level one, and specialists at occupational level two.
• The applicant must hold a valid work permit in the UAE under a valid and approved employment contract. (Specialised Professionals Category)
• The applicant must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. (Specialised Professionals Category)
• The applicant must have a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000, or its equivalent in foreign currency. (Specialised Professionals Category)
• The applicant and their family members must have comprehensive and valid health insurance coverage throughout the validity period of the residency.

Sports Talents

• The applicant must have achieved an outstanding sporting accomplishment or demonstrated exceptional excellence in their field.
• The applicant must hold a leadership position in an international sports federation, committee or organisation.
• The applicant must be an accomplished specialist in sports medicine, with notable achievements or contributions in the field.