By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services
Summary
The UAE does not offer a traditional permanent residency or PR visa. The closest option is the 10-year Golden Visa, which renews automatically as long as you still qualify, needs no sponsor and is not cancelled by long stays abroad. You can qualify through property worth AED 2 million, investment, a business, a salary of AED 30,000 or exceptional talent. Government fees start from about AED 4,000.
Does the UAE Offer Permanent Residency?
This is the first question every client asks me, so here is the honest answer. The UAE has no PR visa in the way Canada, Australia or the UK do. Residence visas are always linked to a sponsor, an investment or a qualifying status, and they have an expiry date.
However, the UAE Golden Visa works very much like permanent residency in Dubai and across the UAE:
- It is valid for 10 years and can be renewed again and again
- You sponsor yourself, with no employer needed
- Long stays outside the UAE do not cancel it, unlike regular visas
- You can sponsor your family, including children of any age in many cases
So when people search for “how to get PR in Dubai” or “UAE permanent residency requirements”, the practical answer is usually the Golden Visa.
UAE Long-Term Residency Options at a Glance
| Visa | Validity | Main requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa | 10 years, renewable | Property, investment, salary, talent or business | Closest thing to PR in the UAE |
| Green Visa | 5 years, renewable | Skilled job, freelancing or investment | Professionals and freelancers |
| Retirement visa | 5 years, renewable | Age 55+ with savings, property or income | Retirees |
| Blue Visa | 10 years | Environmental contribution | Sustainability leaders |
| Regular residence visa | 2 years | Employer or company sponsor | Employees and business owners |
Compare the details in our guides to the Green Visa in the UAE, retirement visa in Dubai and UAE Blue Visa.
Who Can Get the UAE Golden Visa?
Below are the main categories published by the UAE government and summarised by advisers. Criteria change from time to time, so always confirm on the ICP website before applying.
Real Estate Investors
- Own property in the UAE worth at least AED 2 million
- Mortgaged property can qualify with approved banks, and off-plan property can qualify in some cases
- In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department handles the property side
Investors and Business Owners
- A deposit of AED 2 million in an approved UAE investment fund, or
- A company with capital of at least AED 2 million, or
- A company paying significant annual taxes to the government
If you plan to qualify through a company, our business setup in Dubai team can structure your capital correctly from day one.
Entrepreneurs
- Owners of an approved startup or innovative project, often endorsed by an accredited incubator or authority
- Founders who previously sold a successful project may also qualify
Skilled Professionals
- A monthly basic salary of AED 30,000 or more
- At least a bachelor’s degree
- A job in the first or second occupational level set by MOHRE
Read our detailed guide on the salary requirements for a Golden Visa and how to convert a Dubai employment visa to a Golden Visa.
Exceptional Talents, Scientists and Students
- Artists, athletes, doctors, coders and creators nominated by the relevant authority
- Scientists recognised by UAE science bodies
- Top-performing high school and university students
- Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes
Benefits of UAE Golden Visa Residency
- No sponsor needed, so your status does not depend on one job
- 10-year validity with renewal
- No six-month absence rule, unlike standard residence visas
- Family sponsorship, including spouse, children and domestic workers
- Family can stay until the visa expires if the main holder passes away
- 100% ownership of mainland companies in most activities
- Easier banking and lending, because banks value long-term status
How to Apply for Permanent Residency in UAE (Golden Visa)
- Check your category and gather proof, such as title deeds, salary certificates or investment statements.
- Get a nomination or approval where your category needs one, such as for talent or entrepreneur routes.
- Apply online through the ICP smart services portal, or through the GDRFA Dubai channels if you live in Dubai.
- Pay the fees and receive an entry permit or change of status.
- Complete your medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Receive your Golden Visa and add family members.
Most complete applications are processed within a few weeks. Our guide to ICP smart services explains the online steps.
Documents Required
- Passport copy and passport photo
- Current visa or entry stamp, and Emirates ID if resident
- Proof of eligibility, such as a title deed, salary certificate, degree, bank statements or nomination letter
- Attested degree certificates for professional routes
- Health insurance
- Marriage and birth certificates for family members
UAE Golden Visa Cost
These are approximate figures from published guides. Confirm current fees with ICP or GDRFA.
| Cost item | Approximate cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Golden residence issuance (per person) | About 2,800 |
| Emirates ID (10-year card) | About 1,000 |
| Medical fitness test | 250 to 1,000 |
| Service and typing charges | About 200 |
| Health insurance (yearly) | 800 to 1,500 or more |
| Property route: DLD transfer fee | 4% of property price |
Typical total for one applicant: about AED 4,000 to 5,000 in government fees, plus insurance. Property buyers also pay purchase costs, which are not part of the visa fee.
Not sure which route fits you? Our business setup consultants and Golden Visa services team will check your eligibility before you invest.
Golden Visa vs Green Visa
| Factor | Golden Visa | Green Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 10 years | 5 years |
| Salary route | AED 30,000 basic a month | AED 15,000 a month |
| Absence rule | Not affected by long stays abroad | Standard rules apply |
| Family sponsorship | Spouse, children and staff | Spouse and children |
| Best for | Investors, senior professionals, talents | Skilled workers and freelancers |
How to Keep and Renew Your Golden Visa
- Keep your qualifying asset, investment or salary at or above the threshold
- Renew health insurance every year
- Update the Emirates ID before it expires
- Apply for renewal through ICP or GDRFA before the visa ends, with fresh proof of eligibility
- Inform the authorities if you sell the property or change jobs, as your category may change
Golden Visa in Other Emirates
The Golden Visa is a federal visa, so the same categories apply in every emirate. Abu Dhabi applicants use ICP, while Dubai residents usually apply through GDRFA. Some emirates also run their own nomination channels for talent. See our guide to the Golden Visa in Ras Al Khaimah for a local example, and the UAE government portal for federal updates.
Can You Get UAE Citizenship?
Citizenship is very different from residency. Since 2021, the UAE can grant citizenship to selected investors, professionals, scientists and talents, but only by nomination from UAE authorities. You cannot apply for it directly, and there is no paid path to a UAE passport.
Beware of Fake “Lifetime Golden Visa” Offers
In July 2025, ICP publicly denied reports of a lifetime Golden Visa for specific nationalities in exchange for a fee. It stated that Golden Visa rules follow existing laws and that no consultancy is an authorised party in the application process. Read more in our article on the golden visa claims for Indians. Always check offers on official channels.
Other Ways to Live in Dubai Long Term
- Start a company and get an investor visa in the UAE. Our guide to mainland company formation explains how.
- Work for a UAE employer on a standard UAE residence visa.
- Freelance with a freelance visa in Dubai.
- Retire in the UAE if you are 55 or older.
Permanent Residency in Saudi Arabia: A Gulf Comparison
Unlike the UAE, Saudi Arabia offers Premium Residency, which includes a permanent (unlimited duration) option for a one-time fee, plus newer categories for investors, entrepreneurs and talent. If you are comparing Gulf residency options, read our guide to Premium Residency in Saudi Arabia and our business setup in Saudi Arabia services.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying agents who promise “guaranteed” or “lifetime” visas
- Buying property under AED 2 million and assuming it qualifies
- Using total salary instead of basic salary for the AED 30,000 test
- Forgetting degree attestation for professional routes
- Letting the qualifying asset drop below the threshold before renewal
Expert Tip from Our Desk
If you plan to live in Dubai long term and run a business, combine the two. Set up your company first, build a salary or investment record, then move to a Golden Visa. This gives you residency today and a clear path to 10-year status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there permanent residency in the UAE?
Not in the traditional sense. The 10-year renewable Golden Visa is the closest option to PR in the UAE.
How can I get PR in Dubai?
Qualify for a Golden Visa through property worth AED 2 million, investment, a business, a salary of AED 30,000 or exceptional talent.
What is the difference between PR and the Golden Visa?
Traditional PR is open-ended. The Golden Visa lasts 10 years and is renewed as long as you still meet the criteria, so in practice it gives similar long-term security.
How much does a UAE Golden Visa cost?
About AED 4,000 to 5,000 in government fees per person, plus health insurance.
Can Indians get permanent residency in Dubai?
Yes, through the same Golden Visa categories as everyone else. There is no special fee-based route for any nationality.
Do I lose my Golden Visa if I live abroad?
No. Golden Visa holders are not subject to the usual six-month absence rule.
Can I sponsor my family on a Golden Visa?
Yes, including your spouse, children and domestic workers, subject to the rules for each.
Can I get UAE citizenship?
Only by nomination from UAE authorities. There is no direct application.
Can I get a Golden Visa through a company?
Yes. Business owners with qualifying capital or investment can apply, so setting up the right company structure helps.
Plan Your Long-Term Future in the UAE
Permanent residency in the UAE is really about choosing the right long-term visa and keeping your eligibility. Our consultants help you set up your business, meet Golden Visa criteria and sponsor your family. Explore our full business setup in Dubai services, or speak with us about business setup in Saudi Arabia if you are comparing Gulf options.
