WHAT IS THE UAE’S GOLDEN VISA? The Golden Visa is a 10-year, long-term residency permit, which allows you to live, work or study in the UAE without the need for a sponsor. The Golden Visa is granted to people from different categories, including talented individuals, researchers, outstanding students, doctors, specialists, innovators, athletes, entrepreneurs and investors.
1. Long-term, renewable residency
One of the main benefits of the Golden Visa is that it allows visa holders to live in the UAE on a renewable residence visa valid for 10 years. You can renew the visa as long as you fulfil the eligibility criteria for the category under which you applied for the visa initially.
2. No sponsor or employer required
Normally, residence visas in the UAE require a sponsor, which can either be the company that is employing you (in case of a work visa) or a family member who is already a resident in the UAE (family visa). However, new changes to the UAE’s visa system have introduced several visa options that are self-sponsored, including the Golden Visa.
Having a Golden Visa can help workers who, for example, may be able to change jobs more easily, as they would not need to cancel their residence visa sponsored by their previous employer.
3. Staying outside the UAE for more than six months does not nullify the residence visa
Golden Visa holders also have the flexibility to stay outside the UAE for more than six months and still keep their residence visa valid. Normally, a residence visa becomes nullified if the resident is outside the UAE for more than six months.
4. Better options to sponsor family members
The new visa system allows all expatriates to sponsor male children up to the age of 25 and in case the male child is a Person of Determination, he can be sponsored up to any age. But if you are a Golden Visa holder, having a 10-year residency can help avoid having to renew the residency every few years. Also, the Golden Visa system provides sponsored family members with the assurance that in case the primary holder of the Golden visa passes away, the sponsored members’ permit will continue to remain valid.
5. No limit on domestic workers you can sponsor
The Golden Visa also allows you to sponsor any number of domestic helpers.
6. A special multiple-entry visa for Golden Visa applicants
If you don’t yet have a Golden Visa yet, and are not currently living in the UAE, there is a dedicated six-month, multiple entry visit visa that you can apply for, which allows you to come to the UAE to complete the application paperwork.
7. Apply for a driving licence without taking lessons
If you are a Golden Visa holder in Dubai who has a valid driving licence from your home country, all you need to do is enrol at a driving institute in Dubai. Once you have registered as a student, you don’t need to take any classes and can directly apply for the knowledge (theory) and road test. If you pass both the tests, you will be able to get your UAE driving licence issued.
8. Exclusive health insurance packages
Golden Visa holders who are full time employees in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will continue to be covered by their employer’s health insurance policy. However, investors, freelancers and individuals residing abroad must pay for their own health insurance policy.
National Health Insurance Company – Daman’s dedicated health insurance plan for Golden Visa holders. The premiums for the package can start from as little as Dh2,393 for an annual coverage limit of Dh300,000.
