Six-month UAE entry permit for Golden Visa applicants – all you need to know

Dubai: In April 2021, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced a special six-month entry permit, to assist people who would like to obtain a Golden Visa. Here is all you need to know about the entry permit and who is eligible to apply for one.

What is the Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa is a long-term residency option for foreigners who wish to live in the UAE. The visa is valid for 10 years. 

What is the 6 month entry permit?

On April 1, ICP announced an entry permit, which will be issued for a period of six months, and can be extended for another six months, to facilitate the completion of procedures for obtaining a golden residency.

Who can apply for the service?

Those who are eligible to apply for a Golden Visa can apply for this six month entry permit. The categories eligible for the Golden Visa include:

1. Investors:

• Public investment
• Real estate investment

2. Entrepreneurs:

• Owners of registered successful start-ups
• Those who have an approved idea for a start-up
• Previous founders of a successful start-up that was sold inside or outside the UAE

3. Exceptional talents

• Culture and art
• Investors and innovators
• Sports
• Digital technology
• Other vital fields

4. Scientists and professionals

• Scientists
• Chief executive and senior officials
• Science professionals
• Engineering professionals
• Health professionals
• Education professionals
• Business and Administration professionals
• Information technology professionals
• Legal, social and cultural professionals

5. Outstanding students and graduates

• Best performing students in secondary schools
• Best graduates from UAE universities
• Graduates of best 100 universities worldwide

6. Humanitarian pioneers

• Distinguished members of international and regional organisations
• Outstanding members of associations of public benefits
• Recipients of recognition awards in humanitarian fields
• Distinguished volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian efforts

7. Frontline heroes

• Frontline workers with extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic

How can I apply for the six-month entry permit?

Applicants can file their documents through the following channels:

• The ICP website - https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/goldenServicesDashboard
• ICP smartphone application ‘ICP UAE’, which is available for Apple and Android devices
• Tasheel typing centres

You can also receive further information on the visa through the ICP app, the ICP’s call centre – 600 522222, by visiting their website – www.icp.gov.ae – or by visiting an ICP customer happiness centre.

Once you have submitted the application, you will receive a text message and email confirming the receipt of the application.

Similarly, you will receive a text message and email whenever there is an update on your application.

When the entry permit has been issued, you will receive an email with the permit.

Which documents do I need to submit?

1. Passport copy for yourself and dependents
2. Coloured photograph
3. Proof of eligibility for golden residence
4. Additional attachments, supporting your application

Documents based on eligible categories

Apart from the documents listed above, you will also be required to provide certain documents, based on the category within which you are applying.

Outstanding Specialised Talents

It includes the following professions - Doctors and Scientists/Athletes/Inventors/Creative People of Culture and Art/Specialists in Scientific Fields/Executive Directors/Doctoral Degree Holders and Pioneers of Humanitarian Work.

Doctors and Scientists

• Provide an approved letter from the Ministry of Health - UAE to practice the medical profession (doctors).
• Valid passport copy.
• Valid health insurance.

Athletes

• Provide a recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the Sports Councils.
• Valid passport copy.
• Valid health insurance.

Inventors

• Provide a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy.
• Valid passport copy.
• Valid health insurance.

Creative People of culture and art

• Provide an approved letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the relevant emirate.
• Valid passport copy.
• Valid health insurance.

Executive Directors

• Provide an attested university degree.
• Provide experience certificate (minimum five years of experience).
• Provide a salary certificate (not less than Dh30,000).
• Valid work contract.
• Valid passport copy.
• Valid health insurance.

Doctoral Degree Holders

• Provide an attested copy of the PhD certificate from the Ministry of Education in one of the priority disciplines.
• Valid passport copy.
• Valid health insurance.

Pioneers of humanitarian works

A candidate should be a pioneer in humanitarian work within one of the following categories:

• Members who have worked in international and regional organisations, or outstanding employees, for a minimum of five years.
• Members of civil associations and institutions of public interest, or outstanding employees, for a minimum of five years.
• Individuals who have received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international organisation that specialised in humanitarian work.
• Awarded to outstanding humanitarian volunteers with at least five years of service or at least 500 hours of volunteer service.
• Funders of humanitarian work provide the value of the support not less than Dh2 million or its equivalent.
• All other categories of humanitarian work as agreed upon between the authority and the Ministry.
• A minister can also nominate pioneers of humanitarian work.
• Holding a university degree.
• Completing other requirements imposed by a ministry or authority.

Investors in Public Investments

• Submission of a letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that the investor has a deposit of Dh2 million.

• Or submission of a valid commercial licence or industrial licence and a memorandum of the association stating that the investor’s capital is not less than Dh2 million.

• Or to be a partner in a company's capital with no less than Dh2 million.

• Or submission of a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the government no less than Dh250,000 annually.

• Or submission of a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that he or she is a partner in an establishment that pays tax to the government, and his or her share in the tax is at least Dh250,000 annually.

Real estate investors

• Provide a letter from the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation of the respective emirate stating that he or she owns one or more properties whose value is not less than Dh2 million and state that the property is not subject to a loan.
• Proof of housing in the country (home ownership/house rental contract).

Entrepreneurs

• A Letter from an auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than Dh500,000 (project owner).
• Provide a letter from the authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or futuristic nature in which you are the project owner.
• Provide a letter from an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country (founder of a project).
• Valid passport copy.
• Valid health insurance.
• Proof of housing in the country (home ownership/house rental contract).

High School Top-Ranked Students in UAE

• Obtaining an excellent grade or an average of 95% from public or private schools.
• A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education.

Graduates of Accredited Universities in UAE

• A recommendation letter from the university stating that his GPA is not less than (3.8).
• Duration should not exceed two years since graduation.

Graduates of Accredited Universities Outside UAE

• The university ranking should not be less than the top 100 universities in the world according to the international classification approved by the Ministry of Education.
• GPA is not less than (3.5) for bachelor students.
• Duration should not exceed two years since graduation.
• Approved certificate from the Ministry of Education.

Frontline Workers

• Frontline heroes include nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists and other cadres approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.

How much will it cost?

The total cost of the entry permit is Dh1,250.