UAE Golden Card Visa

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai have revealed that the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has granted 2,500 Permanent Golden Residency to researchers, scientists, doctors, and investors in the country. The first recipients of these visas were unveiled last month and include 6,800 expatriates from over 70 countries with combined investments in the UAE totaling Dh100 billion.

10 Things you must know about the UAE Gold Card Visa:

1. Indian origin businessman, Lulu Group chairman Yusuf Ali was the first person to receive UAE’s first Gold Card.
2. Gold Card should not be mistaken for permanent residencies, like permanent residency (PR) programs in Canada or the Green Card in the US, which allows priority workers and their relatives or investors, permanent stay in the country.
3.  Gold card visa is a five- or ten-year long-term residence visa for the Gold Card UAE visas that are available to five categories of expatriates which include investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives, scientists, and outstanding students. The benefits of the gold card also extend to the recipient’s immediate family members such as their wife and children who are also provided with permanent residency status. The visa will be automatically renewed subject to certain terms and conditions.
4. Criteria for Investors
   Owner of a company with AED 10M in capital or a partner in a company with a share of up to AED 10M.
5. Criteria for Entrepreneurs
   Must own a successful project valued at AED 500k or more in a certified field in the UAE.
6. Criteria for Entrepreneurs
   Executives with a salary of AED 30k or more along with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, plus five years of work experience.
7. Scientists & Outstanding Students
   • Professors from any one of the top 500 international universities, approved by the Ministry of Education
   • Scientists who have contributed to major studies or research
   • Those with PhDs and 20 years’ practical experience in their field
   • Individuals who specialize in fields considered important to the UAE
8.  Eligible applicants can submit their applications through https://business.goldenvisa.ae
9. The visa will be automatically renewed subject to certain terms and conditions.
10. Noted Recipients of Gold card Visa are:
    • Firoz Merchant, the founder and chairman of Pure Gold Jewelers
    • Mohammed Rahman, chairman of Al Haramain Group
    • Dr. ShamsheerVayalil, chairman of VPS Healthcare Group
    • Rizwan Sajan, Danube Group chairman
    • Azad Moopen, chairman of the Aster DM Healthcare group
    • NMC Healthcare founder BR Shetty

The author of this blog is Mr. Unnikrishnan Pillai, Head of Marketing, at Nasiha Dubai. Feel free to call us for more info on setting up your company in UAE.  You can also send your inquiry to info@nasihas.ae or call +971 4 4 576 2814