UAE Golden Visa without a sponsor: ICP reveals 8-step guide for property owners
New update outlines how eligible investors can secure a 10-year residency visa
Abu Dhabi: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has outlined eight key steps for securing a 10-year UAE Golden Visa designed specifically for real estate investors, according to a recent update on its official website.
The visa offers long-term residency without the need for a local sponsor. The process begins with nomination and continues through a medical examination, health insurance, and status adjustments—ending with the issuance of the Emirates ID and Golden Visa.
According to the ICP, the Golden Visa is open to individuals who own one or more properties in the UAE, provided they meet specific criteria:
The property must be worth at least Dh2 million and fully owned by the applicant. It can be mortgaged, but only through a local bank approved by the relevant authority.
Off-plan properties worth a minimum of Dh2 million are also eligible, provided they are purchased from approved UAE-based developers, with payment completion evidence.
Steps to obtain the Golden Visa
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process outlined by ICP:
1. Eligibility check
Applicants must first submit their information for initial nomination to determine their eligibility.
2. Starting the journey
Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants begin the visa journey. ICP provides updates at each stage, ensuring a streamlined process.
3. Visa issuance
Applicants are notified once the visa is approved, enabling them to proceed to the next steps.
4. Conditional – cancellation of existing residency
If the applicant currently holds a UAE residency visa, it must be cancelled after initial approval to proceed with the Golden Visa.
5. Status adjustment
ICP will update the applicant’s visa status automatically unless fines are pending. A payment link is sent if fines exist. Once settled, the applicant receives a stamped visa copy for the medical test.
6. Medical examination and health insurance
Applicants aged 18 and above must undergo a medical fitness test and obtain a two-year health insurance plan.
If completed through Ministry of Health-approved centres and registered insurers like Daman, ICP will automatically process the Emirates ID and residency issuance. Otherwise, documents must be uploaded manually.
7. Conditional – biometric enrolment
If required, applicants will be prompted to schedule fingerprinting at a designated ICP centre via a provided link.
8. Emirates ID delivery
Once all steps are completed, the Emirates ID is delivered to the registered address.
What is UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa grants long-term residency to selected categories of foreigners, allowing them to live, work, invest, and study in the UAE without a sponsor. Eligible categories include:
Investors
Entrepreneurs
Exceptional talent
Scientists and professionals
Outstanding students and graduates
Humanitarian pioneers
Frontline heroes
Key benefits of the Golden Visa
Introduced to attract and retain global talent and investors, the Golden Visa offers several advantages:
Multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months to complete the residency process
Renewable 5- or 10-year residence visa
No restriction on time spent outside the UAE
No requirement for a local sponsor
Eligibility to sponsor spouse and children
No limit on the number of domestic workers
Family members can remain in the UAE after the primary visa holder’s death, for the duration of their valid residency
Contact information
For queries or assistance, contact:
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
UAE Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence
For Dubai-issued visas, reach out to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA).
You may also refer to the Cabinet Resolution on the Executive Regulations of the Entry and Residence of Foreigners Law for detailed legal provisions.
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