About this tool
The UAE Golden Visa Eligibility Checker applies the categories set out in the Federal Decree-Law on entry and residence of foreigners (as amended in 2019 and refined by Cabinet Decision No. 65 of 2022) to your inputs and returns an indicative verdict for each of the six qualifying paths. The Golden Visa grants 10-year residence, renewable indefinitely, with no UAE sponsor required and no minimum residency-day rule.
The checker covers investor, entrepreneur, Outstanding Talent, scientist, student, and pioneer (humanitarian) categories. It does not cover the standard residence visa, Green Visa (5-year self-sponsored), or retiree visa. Each path has its own evidence requirements, and final approval is granted by ICP for most categories and by GDRFA-Dubai for Dubai-issued nominations.
How it works
- Pick the path that matches your profile. If more than one fits, run the tool twice and pick the path with the lowest evidentiary burden.
- Enter the investment amount, salary, or qualifying credential for your path. The tool checks the thresholds set in the Federal Decree-Law and ICP guidance.
- Review the checklist on the right. Green ticks mean the threshold is met; red crosses mean the criterion is missing.
- Use the cost estimate for budgeting. Application fees range from AED 2,800 for inside-country issuance to about AED 9,000 for some Dubai-issued nominations including service centre fees. Medical fitness is roughly AED 700 to 1,000, and the Emirates Identity Card costs AED 1,070 for the 10-year term.
The 6 paths at a glance
Entrepreneur: AED 500K registered project, or incubator-approved.
Outstanding Talent: AED 30-50K monthly salary + degree + experience.
Scientist: PhD + active research + Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal pathway.
Student: 90%+ grade (high school) or 3.5+ GPA from top-100 university.
Pioneer: documented humanitarian work + UAE sponsor.
The 6 paths - thresholds, speed, and best-for
| Path | Minimum requirement | Application speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor (real estate) | AED 2 million property, retained 3+ years | 10-30 days | Expat HNW with property in Dubai/Abu Dhabi |
| Investor (company) | AED 2 million shares, held 6+ months | 15-45 days | Business owners with UAE entity |
| Entrepreneur | AED 500K capital or incubator approval | 30-60 days | Founders backed by Hub71, in5, Sheraa |
| Outstanding Talent | Salary AED 30K-50K/month + degree + 5+ yrs | 14-30 days | Senior professionals, doctors, executives |
| Scientist | PhD + active research + impact (h-index, grants) | 30-90 days (committee review) | Academic researchers, MBR Medal nominees |
| Student | High school: 90%+; University: 3.5 GPA top-100 | 15-45 days | Top high-school grads, top-100 university alumni |
| Pioneer (humanitarian) | Documented humanitarian work + UAE sponsor | 60-120 days (case-by-case) | NGO leaders, recognised volunteers |
Cost estimate by path
| Cost component | Inside-country (AED) | Outside-country (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa application (10 years) | 2,800 | 3,800 |
| ICP / GDRFA service fees | 280-500 | 280-500 |
| Medical fitness test | 700-1,000 | N/A (only inside) |
| Emirates Identity Card (10 years) | 1,070 | 1,070 on entry |
| Typist / typing centre | 150-250 | 150-250 |
| Typical total | AED 5,000-9,000 | AED 5,300-9,300 |
Figures exclude the qualifying investment itself (e.g. AED 2 million property purchase, AED 500K project capital). Premium service tiers via Amer (Dubai) or ICP service centres can add AED 1,000-3,000 for express processing.
How to use the UAE Golden Visa Eligibility Checker
This is a browser-based tool that runs entirely on your device. Inputs you enter never reach a server - everything is computed client-side in JavaScript. That means:
- Privacy: nothing is logged, sent, or stored by 3Tej. Inputs disappear when you close the tab.
- Speed: results update as you type. No network round trip.
- Offline use: once the page is cached, it works without internet.
- No signup: no account, no email, no rate limits.
Step by step
- Identify your strongest qualifying path. Most applicants fit one path naturally - real-estate investors via the property route, senior professionals via Outstanding Talent, founders via Entrepreneur. Run the tool for each plausible path.
- Confirm the underlying evidence. The Golden Visa is evidence-driven: a title deed for property, an MOHRE-registered salary certificate for talent, a Cabinet recommendation for Pioneer. Use the checklist to identify gaps.
- Plan the application channel. Inside the UAE, applications go through ICP for most emirates or GDRFA-Dubai for Dubai-issued nominations. Outside the UAE, applications go through UAE embassies in country of residence.
- Set aside the cost buffer. Even with a low-end application fee of AED 2,800, total cost incl. medical and Emirates Identity Card issuance typically lands in the AED 5,000-9,000 range. Express processing via Amer or Tas-heel adds AED 1,000-3,000.
When you would use this
- Before buying property in Dubai or Abu Dhabi: confirm whether the chosen price tier (AED 2 million minimum) qualifies for the 10-year visa, factoring mortgage rules.
- Before signing an executive offer in the UAE: senior packages above AED 50,000/month routinely qualify under the Specialist/Executive path, which simplifies family relocation.
- Before incorporating a UAE entity: an AED 500,000 capital threshold under the Entrepreneur path is common for tech founders entering the UAE via Hub71, in5, or Sheraa accelerators.
- For academic appointments: PhDs with strong publication records can be nominated for the Scientist Golden Visa via the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal pathway, often supported by the host university.
- For top high-school grads in UAE schools: 90%+ scorers qualify for a 5-year Golden Visa, converted to 10 years at age 18 upon university entry.
The eligibility framework explained
This checker uses the thresholds set in the Federal Decree-Law on entry and residence of foreigners (Articles 6 and 7 on long-term residence) and refined by Cabinet Decision No. 65 of 2022:
Investor path: invested_capital >= AED 2,000,000 AND holding >= 6 months (12 months public funds)
Real estate sub-path: equity >= AED 2,000,000 AND retain >= 3 years
Entrepreneur path: project_capital >= AED 500,000 OR incubator approval
Outstanding Talent: monthly_basic >= AED 30,000 (medical) or AED 50,000 (specialist) AND degree AND experience
Scientist: PhD AND active research position AND (h-index high OR MBR Medal recommendation)
Student: high_school_grade >= 90% OR (university_GPA >= 3.5 AND top-100 ranking)
Pioneer: documented humanitarian work + UAE entity sponsorship
The thresholds are statutory minima - they cannot be reduced by individual case. The 6-month, 12-month, and 3-year holding periods are set by ICP regulation and confirmed at nomination. Final approval rests with the relevant authority based on submitted evidence.
To verify a worked example: an Indian software architect with bachelor's degree, 8 years' experience, and AED 55,000/month basic salary at a Dubai tech company qualifies under the Specialist Outstanding Talent path. Required evidence: MOHRE labour contract, salary certificate, attested degree, professional licence, employer recommendation. Total application cost: about AED 5,500 inside-country, processed in 14-30 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the UAE Golden Visa and the Green Visa?
The Golden Visa is a 10-year residence with no UAE sponsor required and no minimum residency-day rule. The Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored permit for skilled employees, freelancers, and investors with lower thresholds: AED 360,000 annual salary for skilled employees, AED 1 million property investment. Both allow family sponsorship, but the Golden Visa offers a longer term and is positioned for high-net-worth investors and exceptional talent.
Do I have to live in the UAE to keep my Golden Visa?
No. Unlike standard UAE residence visas that are cancelled after 6 months outside the country, the Golden Visa has no minimum residency-day rule. You can travel freely and even live abroad for extended periods without losing the visa, as long as you maintain the underlying qualifying basis: the property, the company, the salary, or the academic position.
Can I sponsor my family on a UAE Golden Visa?
Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouse, sons (no age limit, unlike the standard 18-year cap), daughters (until married), and parents. Domestic helpers are also sponsorable with no quota limit. Family members receive residence visas linked to the Golden Visa holder's status with the same 10-year term.
What happens to my Golden Visa if I lose my job?
The Outstanding Talent and Specialist categories require a qualifying employment basis (e.g. AED 30,000 or AED 50,000 monthly salary, executive position). If you lose the job and the basis disappears, the visa can be cancelled at renewal. However, you retain the visa for the remainder of the 10-year residence term in most cases, giving you time to secure another qualifying role. Investor and entrepreneur paths are not affected by employment status.
What benefits come with the UAE Golden Visa?
Holders receive 10-year renewable residence, full Emirates Identity Card, no UAE sponsor required, no minimum residency-day rule, ability to sponsor family without quota limits, eligibility for property ownership in designated freehold zones, easier access to UAE bank accounts and credit, and full access to public services. The UAE has no personal income tax, no capital-gains tax, and no inheritance tax, which makes the Golden Visa especially attractive for high-net-worth individuals.
Can I use a mortgage to qualify for the real-estate investor Golden Visa?
Yes, partially. Since 2022, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) permits mortgage-financed properties as long as the down payment paid by the applicant is at least AED 2 million in cash. A no-objection letter from the financing bank is required. Off-plan properties also qualify if they meet the AED 2 million threshold and are bought from an approved developer.
What is the minimum university degree to qualify for the Specialist Talent path?
A bachelor's degree is the minimum, with a salary threshold of AED 30,000 per month for in-demand specialisations (medicine, engineering, IT, education, business administration). The Specialist path with AED 50,000 salary requires at least a bachelor's degree, 5 years of relevant experience, and an employment contract with a UAE entity. Doctorate-holders qualify for the Scientist category with lower salary thresholds and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal pathway.
Is there an age restriction for the Golden Visa?
There is no upper age limit for any Golden Visa category. The Student path applies from age 15 for outstanding high-school graduates and from age 18 for top-100-university graduates - both receive 10 years from age 18. The Outstanding Talent and Specialist categories require relevant experience, which de facto implies a minimum age of around 25 to 30, but no explicit threshold is set in the Federal Decree-Law on entry and residence.
Is the checker accurate?
It applies the thresholds laid out in the Federal Decree-Law on entry and residence of foreigners and Cabinet Decision No. 65 of 2022. Accuracy is limited by your input precision and by case-specific evidence. For a real application, verify with ICP, GDRFA-Dubai, or a licensed UAE immigration adviser.
Is the checker free?
Yes. 100 percent free, no signup, no payment, no API key. The site is funded by display ads around the tool but not inside the eligibility flow.
Does the new mortgage rule apply if I bought my property in 2021?
Yes. The mortgage relaxation rule introduced in 2022 applies to existing properties at renewal as well as new applications. As long as your equity is at least AED 2 million at the time of nomination, the property qualifies.
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes. The tool is responsive and tested on iOS Safari, Android Chrome, and major desktop browsers. Touch targets meet Apple's 44pt and Google's 48dp minimum.
How do I report a bug or suggest improvement?
Email hi@3tej.com with the URL of this page and a description of what you saw vs expected. We typically respond within 72 hours and update the checker whenever ICP or GDRFA-Dubai publishes new guidance.
How accurate is the UAE Golden Visa Eligibility Checker?
It applies the thresholds in the Federal Decree-Law on entry and residence and Cabinet Decision No. 65 of 2022. Accuracy is limited by your input precision and case-specific evidence. ICP and GDRFA-Dubai have final discretion - always cross-check with their official channels before applying.
Is the UAE Golden Visa Eligibility Checker free to use?
Yes. 100 percent free, no signup, no payment, no API key.
Are my inputs saved anywhere?
No. All inputs stay in your browser tab. Closing the tab discards them. Analytics measure traffic only - they never see what you type into the form.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. The tool is fully responsive and tested on iOS Safari, Android Chrome, and major desktop browsers.
Does the checker work offline?
Yes. Once the page is cached, it works without internet.
Can the Golden Visa lead to UAE citizenship?
Not directly. The UAE granted citizenship to a small number of select talent holders by Cabinet decree in 2021-24, but there is no automatic naturalisation pathway. The Golden Visa is renewable indefinitely, which is the most stable status available to non-citizens.
Can I share my checker results?
Take a screenshot or copy the output. The page does not generate shareable URLs for specific calculations.