UAE expands golden visa scheme to offer holders emergency support overseas

Services were previously only available to Emiratis

The UAE has extended the benefits of its golden visa programme. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE on Tuesday announced a major expansion of its golden visa residency scheme, to provide essential consular services previously only available to Emiratis.

Under plans unveiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign residents who hold the renewable, 10-year visa will be given crucial assistance if affected by crises overseas and will have access to a dedicated hotline to seek support.

The ministry said the move represented an “important milestone” in the golden visa initiative, which was launched in 2018. The new services for golden visa holders were unveiled at Gitex Global, the flagship technology event held in Dubai.

What's new?

• Golden visa holders who lose or damage their passport when outside the country can obtain a document allowing them to return to the UAE with the support of the ministry
• A dedicated hotline is being set up through the ministry's call centre to provide assistance
• Being included in evacuation and emergency plans for crises abroad
• Repatriation of remains and co-ordination for burial in the UAE

The visa can be obtained through property, investment or a nomination in a special talent category open to people working in the country or living abroad.

Who is eligible for a golden visa?

Financial ties within the UAE is one clear path to obtaining the 10-year visa. This could be through a Dh2 million ($540,000) property investment. If you already have a property that you bought for less than Dh2 million but is currently valued higher than that figure, you are eligible for a golden visa.

You are also eligible if you have at least Dh2 million in a bank fixed deposit or a UAE investment fund. The investment has to be in the emirate where the person is applying for a golden visa.

Skilled workers earning a minimum gross salary of Dh30,000 a month, including allowances paid monthly in addition to their basic salary, are also eligible.

If someone based outside the UAE does not go through an investment route of property or a UAE bank account deposit, there are other avenues available such as the exceptional talent categories.

Celebrities, sports personalities or people in the business and entertainment industry can be granted golden visas. If a person does not live in the UAE but is considered to be of high calibre and is interested in a golden visa for the purpose of moving or investing in the UAE, this route is open to them.

The relevant authority requires detailed documentation about the individual's history, their profile and what exactly they would bring to the Emirates.

In the special talent category, the person does not need to have investments in the UAE but the broader thinking is that once they have a golden visa, they would invest and ultimately make the Emirates their home.

This is a subjective category, so a strong case must be presented to the relevant authority for a nomination based on the person's achievements.

How much does it cost?

This varies per application. A standard application can cost between Dh5,000 and Dh9,000 for medical tests, Emirates ID and residency application.

Other documents required

A candidate's passport must be valid for more than six months at the time of application. Education certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy of the country where they were issued and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with an equivalency certificate verification by the Ministry of Education.

A no-objection certificate is required from the employer for applicants without a government nomination.

Once approval comes through, a medical examination must be completed and biometrics captured.

What difference will it make?

The announcement was hailed as “exceptional” by legal experts who described it as setting a new benchmark for the region.

“This will give the best level of protection to expatriates with the golden visa,” Hassan El Hais, legal consultant at Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates and Legal Consultancy, told The National.

“It is unusual to see this level of support globally in any country and it also sets a new benchmark for the GCC.

“It will increase the feeling of safety and support because it shows the UAE is committed to expats regardless of where they come from,” he added. “This will enhance trust and increase their passion to contribute further to UAE society – this will help the country’s economy in the long run.”

Hashik Thayikandy, a partner in Universal Legal Associates, said the decision reflected how the Emirates treats expatriates equally.

“Expatriates spend the golden years of their life here and the UAE is recognising their contribution with these protections,” he said.

“There is no discrimination based on country or religion to get a golden visa. This protection and security recognises the contribution of all the expatriate community. This is great news and a lesson for many other countries that discriminate between residents.

“To get such facilities when travelling overseas and to get such a security assurance from the UAE where they stay and work will make a big difference to people living here.”