By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services
Summary
The UAE golden visa salary requirement for skilled professionals is a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000. You also need a MOHRE level 1 or 2 job, a bachelor’s degree, and, in Dubai, at least two years with your current employer. Dubai now counts basic salary only, without allowances. This guide covers eligibility, documents, fees, family sponsorship, and options if you earn less.
UAE Golden Visa Salary Requirement at a Glance
| Requirement | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum monthly salary | AED 30,000 |
| Salary basis in Dubai | Basic salary, excluding housing and transport allowances |
| Job level | MOHRE occupational level 1 or 2 |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, attested and equalised |
| Employment | Valid UAE work permit; in Dubai, 2+ years with current employer |
| Visa validity | 10 years, renewable |
| Approx. cost | AED 4,000 to 6,000 for the main applicant |
Golden Visa Requirements for Salaried Employees
Under the federal rules on u.ae, salaried employees apply under the skilled professionals category. To qualify, you must:
- Hold a valid UAE employment contract and work permit
- Work in a role classified at MOHRE level 1 (managers and executives) or level 2 (professionals in science, engineering, health, education, IT, law, and similar fields)
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Earn a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000
- Hold a valid professional licence if your job needs one, such as doctors, pharmacists, and teachers
You can check how your job title is recorded through MOHRE inquiry services.
Is the AED 30,000 Golden Visa Salary Basic or Total?
This is the question I get asked most, and the answer has changed more than once.
- In 2024, Dubai briefly moved to a basic-salary test, then went back to counting total salary with fixed allowances. The National reported total pay was accepted as of March 2025.
- By late 2025, Dubai’s GDRFA was again assessing basic salary of at least AED 30,000, excluding allowances, with at least two years with the current employer.
- Senior executives such as CEOs and general managers can now apply under the same AED 30,000 basic salary rule instead of the old AED 50,000 threshold.
My advice: if your basic salary is below AED 30,000 but your total package is above it, ask your employer whether a contract amendment is possible before you apply.
Dubai Golden Visa Salary Requirements vs Other Emirates
| Emirate | Salary test in practice | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 30,000 basic, 2+ years with current employer | GDRFA Dubai |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 30,000 monthly salary, 6 months of bank statements | Abu Dhabi Residents Office or TAMM |
| Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, other emirates | AED 30,000 monthly salary | ICP smart services |
Rules are applied by your visa-issuing emirate, so check with the authority that issued your current residence visa. If you live in the northern emirates, see our ICP smart services guide.
MOHRE Skill Levels: Which Jobs Qualify for a Golden Visa?
Your job title on the MOHRE work permit matters as much as your salary.
- Level 1: CEOs, directors, general managers, and department managers
- Level 2: engineers, doctors, IT and AI specialists, lawyers, accountants, teachers, and scientists
- Not eligible: level 3 and below, such as clerical, sales, and technician roles, even with a high salary
A sales manager earning AED 35,000 with a “sales executive” title on the work permit can be rejected. Fix the title first.
Golden Visa Eligibility Beyond Salary
If you do not qualify on salary, other golden visa routes may fit:
| Category | Main requirement |
|---|---|
| Property investors | Property worth AED 2 million or more |
| Business investors | AED 2 million in an approved fund or company capital |
| Entrepreneurs | An approved startup project or a successful exit |
| Exceptional talent | Endorsement from a UAE authority in arts, sport, culture, or digital fields |
| Scientists and researchers | Recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council |
| Outstanding students | High grades from UAE schools or top universities |
| Frontline and humanitarian workers | Nomination by the relevant authority |
Each emirate also runs its own programmes. For example, see how to get a golden visa in Ras Al Khaimah.
Minimum Salary in UAE vs Golden Visa Salary
The UAE has no general minimum wage for expatriate private sector workers. Salary thresholds apply only to specific visas:
- Family sponsorship: about AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 with accommodation
- Green visa (skilled employee): AED 15,000 a month
- Golden visa (skilled professional): AED 30,000 a month
If you earn between AED 15,000 and AED 30,000, the green visa in UAE gives you 5-year self-sponsored residency.
How to Apply for a Golden Visa Based on Salary
- Confirm your MOHRE job level and salary on your contract and payslips.
- Attest your degree and get an equivalency certificate in the UAE from the Ministry of Higher Education.
- Collect a salary certificate, NOC, and six months of bank statements.
- Apply through GDRFA (Dubai), TAMM or ICP (Abu Dhabi), or ICP (other emirates).
- Pay the fees and complete the medical test.
- Receive approval, then complete Emirates ID biometrics.
Already on an employment visa? Follow our guide to convert a Dubai employment visa to a golden visa. Processing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks once documents are complete.
Documents Required to Prove Your Golden Visa Salary
- Passport, current residence visa, and Emirates ID
- MOHRE or free zone employment contract showing basic salary
- Salary certificate issued within the last 30 days
- Six months of UAE bank statements showing salary credits
- WPS payslips, where available
- No objection certificate from your employer
- Attested degree and equivalency certificate
- Professional licence, if required for your job
Make sure your contract, salary certificate, and bank statements show the same figures. Mismatches are the most common reason for delays.
UAE Golden Visa Cost and Fees for Salaried Professionals
Fees vary by emirate and by whether you apply inside or outside the UAE. Approximate costs for the main applicant:
| Item | Approx. cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Golden visa application and issuance | 2,800 to 4,000 |
| Medical fitness test | 300 to 700 |
| Emirates ID (10 years) | 1,100 to 1,200 |
| Typing and service fees | 150 to 500 |
| Change of status (inside UAE) | about 500 |
| Total | about 4,000 to 6,000 |
Each dependant adds roughly AED 3,000 to 6,000. Compare this with standard residence visa costs in the UAE.
Sponsoring Your Family on a Golden Visa
Golden visa holders can sponsor:
- A spouse
- Children of any age, including sons over 25 and unmarried daughters
- Domestic workers, without a cap on numbers
Family members get visas with the same 10-year validity. Learn more about the UAE residence visa for spouse.
Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa for Employees
- 10-year residency that is not tied to your employer
- No need to leave the UAE within six months, so long trips abroad are fine
- Freedom to change jobs or start a business
- Family stays covered if the main holder passes away
- Easier access to home loans and premium banking
See all golden visa benefits in our detailed guide, and how it compares with permanent residency in the UAE.
Golden Visa Renewal and Salary Changes
Once issued, your golden visa does not depend on keeping the same salary or employer during its 10 years. Eligibility is checked again at renewal under the rules in force at that time. To stay safe:
- Keep health insurance active for you and your family
- Update your Emirates ID and passport details when they change
- Keep salary records in case you renew on the same basis
Our PRO services team can track renewal dates for you.
What If Your Salary Is Below AED 30,000?
You still have good options:
- Apply for a green visa if you earn AED 15,000 or more
- Qualify as an investor by setting up your own company. Our mainland company formation team can guide you on the investor route
- Buy property worth AED 2 million or more
- Seek a nomination from your sector authority
- Consider the Talent Pass visa in Dubai if you work as a freelancer
Be careful with offers of a fixed-fee or “lifetime” golden visa. In 2025, ICP publicly denied reports of a nomination scheme for Indian nationals, as covered in our golden visa for Indians update. If you also work across the Gulf, Saudi Arabia offers a comparable route through Premium Residency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Counting housing and transport allowances when Dubai checks basic salary
- Applying with a MOHRE level 3 job title
- Submitting an unattested degree
- Applying before completing two years with your employer in Dubai
- Ignoring health insurance for the whole family
Expert tip from Adil Ahmad: Before you apply, line up your contract, salary certificate, and bank statements and make sure all three show the same basic salary. That single check prevents most rejections I see.
FAQs on UAE Golden Visa Salary Requirements
What is the minimum salary for a UAE golden visa?
AED 30,000 a month for skilled professionals.
Does the golden visa salary include allowances?
In Dubai, currently no. GDRFA assesses basic salary of AED 30,000 excluding allowances.
Can I get a golden visa with a salary of AED 30,000?
Yes, if you also have a MOHRE level 1 or 2 job, a bachelor’s degree, and meet your emirate’s employment conditions.
Do I need a degree for the salary-based golden visa?
Yes. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required, attested and equalised in the UAE.
How long does the golden visa take?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks after all documents are submitted.
What happens if I change jobs after getting a golden visa?
Your golden visa stays valid, because it is self-sponsored.
Will my golden visa be cancelled if my salary drops?
No. The salary test applies when you apply and at renewal, not every month during the 10 years.
Can free zone employees apply?
Yes. Free zone contracts are accepted if salary and job level meet the criteria.
How much does a golden visa cost in UAE?
About AED 4,000 to 6,000 for the main applicant, plus fees for each dependant.
Get Expert Help with Your UAE Golden Visa
Our UAE golden visa services team checks your eligibility, prepares documents, and handles the application end to end. Planning to invest instead? Explore business setup in Dubai or our business setup in Saudi Arabia services, or speak with our business setup consultants.
