How to check if you qualify for a UAE Golden Visa in two minutes

Dubai: Since the launch of the UAE Golden Visa, a wide range of residents have been eligible for the long-term residency permit. The categories include investors, scientists, accomplished athletes, and even outstanding high school students.

If you are unsure whether you qualify under any of the Golden Visa categories, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has introduced an official quiz that can help you find out in just two minutes.

The Golden Visa is a 10-year residency permit that allows foreign professionals to live, work and study in the UAE on a self-sponsored visa. Golden Visa holders can also sponsor their family members and support staff for the same duration, with no limit on the number of individuals they can sponsor.

To access the quiz, visit the smart services ICP website - smartservices.icp.gov.ae, go to the Golden Visa services section and select ‘check your eligibility’. You will then have to answer questions with either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.

All the questions relate to the various Golden Visa categories, such as doctors, scientists, accomplished high school or university graduate students, PhD holders, humanitarian workers and more. The purpose of the quiz is to help you determine which category of the Golden Visa you may qualify under.

For example, if you are a university graduate and have achieved a high Grade Point Average (GPA), you may be asked: “Are you one of the outstanding university graduates who graduated in the country with a GPA of no less than 3.8?”

If you answer ‘yes’, you would then be able to apply for the Golden Visa for university graduates.

Once you have answered all the questions, the website will direct you to the online application form for nomination under the specific category that applies to you.

Each category has its own set of documentation and requirements. You will first need to apply for a nomination and, if this is approved by the ICP, you can then proceed to apply for the Golden Residency.

For example, if you are applying under the media or arts category, you must provide a recommendation letter from either the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority or the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.

Before starting your application, it is recommended that you visit a registered typing centre or an Amer Centre in Dubai. They can guide you through the process and inform you of all the documents required, depending on the category under which you are applying for the Golden Visa.