New Delhi, India

The UAE’s Golden Visa: India’s rich people, who are planning to move abroad, have their eyes set on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as their preferred destination. Dubai has become the most preferred location for people with ample wealth and money. 

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As per the report by Henley & Partners, an international investment migration advisory firm, 4,400 Indian millionaires are expected to move abroad, with a majority of them preferring to relocate to Dubai, UAE. The report indicated that the UAE has become the most preferred destination for ultra-rich people. 

The UAE’s Golden Visa: A major attraction

One of the biggest attention-seeking reasons is the UAE’s Golden Visa. It is a long-term visa programme, designed especially to attract global talent and investors. The features of UAE’s Golden Visa are designed in a way that helps in retaining international talent, offering more flexible residency options. 

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Key Highlights of the UAE Golden Visa:

Extended Residency: The visa provides an increased residence permit for 5 to 10 years without any local sponsor, and is automatically renewable.

Easy Travel: Golden visa holders can travel around the UAE with minimum restrictions. They are allowed to sponsor immediate family members. 

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Business Freedom: The visa provides 100% business ownership with no interference in choosing employers. 

Sponsoring family and domestic workers: The visa holders have the option to sponsor their family members and have no restrictions on sponsoring any number of domestic workers. 

UAE’s Golden Visa Eligibility Criteria:

The UAE’s golden visa is not restricted to the ultra-wealthy, but it is designed in such a way that it can attract a wide spectrum of professionals and investors. 

Scientists and Doctors: Approval from the relevant science committees and health ministry is necessary. 

Creative Professionals: The Department of Culture and Art’s approval is mandatory. 

Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: Entrepreneurs can apply for UAE’s Golden Visa if they have a project valued at AED 500,00 with the required permissions. 

Investors: Investors are required to deposit AED 2 million, own a business, or pay AED 250,000 as taxes to obtain the UAE’s Golden Visa. 

UAE’s Golden Visa was launched in 2019 by the government, to attract wealthy people. Considerably, Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) issued 158,000 Golden Visas in 2023 alone. 

(With inputs from agencies)