The Golden Visa is a long-term residency granted without a sponsor. The UAE Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security Authority (ICP) guide distinguishes seven categories: investors, entrepreneurs, frontline defense personnel, scientists and specialists, humanitarian pioneers, outstanding students, and exceptional talents. For investors, several pathways establish a minimum investment threshold of AED 2,000,000: a deposit, company capital, or real estate. The conditions below are those of the ICP guide, as amended on September 10, 2026.
This page does not specify the visa duration. Two official pages present it differently: see below. It also does not address current fees, actual processing times, or tax implications in France or the UAE, which are covered on other pages of this website.
What the ICP says about the device
The ICP guide describes a residency granted "without the need for a sponsor," with automatic renewal. The holder can live, work, study, and invest in the UAE. The conditions for each category are listed on the page; the following sections detail those that include a specific amount.
Investor in public investments
The guide lists the following options for this category.
| Way | Condition |
|---|---|
| Deposit | «must have a financial deposit of at least AED 2,000,000 with an investment fund or one of the national banks operating in the UAE» |
| Company | «establish an establishment or company in the UAE with a capital of at least AED 2,000,000» |
| Participation | «"with a financial share of at least AED 2,000,000" (the company in question is listed in the guide) |
| Federal taxes | «paying the taxes due to the Federal Government, amounting to at least AED 250,000 annually» |
The invested capital must belong entirely to the investor, not come from a loan, and its origin must be documented.
Real estate investor
- A property worth at least AED 2,000,000, registered in the investor's name.
- A loan is possible : «The property may be financed through a loan, provided that the financing is obtained from an approved local bank. »
- Off-plan purchase is permitted : one or more units with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000, from an approved local real estate company.
The ICP service sheet for the Real Estate Investor Entry Visa (page dated December 11, 2024) also requires valid UAE health insurance, a passport valid for at least six months, and a letter from the Land Registry confirming ownership. It states: «The property must be fully owned by the investor.» Verify these documents on the service sheet as of the date of your application, as the page is older than the guide.
The other numerical categories
| Category | Specific conditions cited by the ICP |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Three paths. A registered SME in the UAE operating in an approved sector, with annual revenues of at least AED 1,000,000. Or an idea approved by an accredited incubator or competent authority. Or the status of founder of companies sold for at least AED 7,000,000 in total. |
| Specialist and executive | Valid work permit and approved contract, at least a bachelor's degree, senior management position, and "must have a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000", or its equivalent in foreign currency |
| Humanitarian pioneer | The guide lists: at least 5 years as a member or outstanding employee of an international, regional, or non-profit organization; contributions of at least AED 2,000,000 (or its equivalent); and a university degree. It does not explicitly state whether the first two criteria are cumulative or alternative: this should be confirmed with the ICP. |
| Exceptional student | Baccalaureate (grade 12) with a minimum of 95 %; graduate of a top 100 world university with a 3.5 GPA and less than two years of study; UAE Category A or B universities with a 3.5/4.0 or 3.8/4.0 GPA. |
The guide also mentions exceptional talents (culture and arts, inventors, athletes, digital technology) and the "first line of defense." Their conditions are not detailed here.
The family
The guide provides for residence permits for spouses and children, regardless of their age, and for parents. If the permit holder dies, sponsored family members can remain in the UAE until their permits expire.
Health insurance and a six-month visa
Investors, entrepreneurs, specialists, and their families must provide proof of comprehensive and valid health insurance coverage at the time of application or for the entire duration of the residency, depending on the category. The guide states, for some categories: "must have comprehensive and valid health insurance coverage at the time of applying for Golden Residency," and for others (including real estate investors): "throughout the validity period of the residency." Check the guide for the specific rule applicable to your category.
An eligible applicant located outside the UAE receives a six-month, multiple-entry visa, renewable for an additional six months, to finalize their application. Another ICP service, the Public Investment Funds department, specifies that the application is submitted by clients located within the UAE. The two pages are not consistent on this point: check which one applies to your situation.
Two official pages, two presentations of the duration
The ICP guide and the UAE government portal (page updated July 28, 2026) do not present the visa duration in the same way for several categories. The UAE portal also mentions a minimum capital of AED 2 million and, as an alternative, a contribution to an institution that pays at least AED 250,000 in taxes annually. The applicable duration for your case must be confirmed with the ICP before any investment decision is made. This page does not provide a definitive answer and does not publish any duration.
Another precaution: the ICP pages display update dates that do not match between the page body and the footer. Use the guide's modification date (September 10, 2026) as a reference and reread the page before submitting.
Golden Visa and tax residency
No source consulted for this page links the Golden Visa to tax residency. The tax residency criteria for individuals are derived from a separate Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022, effective March 1, 2023. It stipulates, over a period of twelve consecutive months, a presence of 183 days or more, or 90 days or more under certain conditions: UAE or Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationality, or a valid residence permit, plus a permanent residence, employment, or business activity within the UAE. Our UAE tax residency page details these criteria.
UAE Golden Visa: a numerical example (fictitious profile)
Situation. A fictional French business owner wants to purchase off-plan units in the UAE from a licensed local real estate company. Two options are presented: two units at AED 900,000 and AED 1,150,000 (case A), or AED 900,000 and AED 1,050,000 (case B). These amounts are hypothetical.
Issue. Does it reach the threshold of 2,000,000 AED in total value?
Strategy. Add up the value of the units, since the guide speaks of "one or more" units "with a total value of at least AED 2,000,000", and compare to the threshold.
Result.
| Total value | Threshold | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case A | 2,050,000 AED | 2,000,000 AED | 50,000 AED and above |
| Case B | 1,950,000 AED | 2,000,000 AED | 50,000 AED below |
Case A reaches the AED 50,000 threshold, while Case B does not. This profile is fictitious. The values are hypothetical and may increase or decrease. It does not verify other requirements (outright ownership, insurance, registered real estate company, documentation) and does not predict the ICP's decision. No exchange rates are used; the conversion to euros is not from an official source.
UAE Golden Visa: What changes depending on your case
- The category : investor, entrepreneur, specialist, humanitarian or student do not share the same thresholds.
- The origin of the funds : the capital must belong to the investor, without a loan, for the public placement route; a loan is permitted for real estate from an approved local bank.
- The location of the deposit From abroad or from the Emirates, two pages of the ICP do not say the same thing.
- Your family spouse, children, parents.
- Your tax situation : your French or Emirati tax residence is not deduced from the visa.
The rule depends on your situation. No results are guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
What are the conditions of the Golden Visa for an investor?
Among the ways to qualify for the ICP (Investment Credit Program): a deposit of at least AED 2,000,000 with an investment fund or national bank, a capital company with at least AED 2,000,000 in capital, a financial share of at least AED 2,000,000, federal taxes of at least AED 250,000 per year, or real estate worth at least AED 2,000,000. An investment can lose value: this page does not describe any products or returns.
Can the property be financed by a loan?
Yes, according to the ICP, if the financing comes from a licensed local bank. For public placements, the capital must not come from a loan.
Is the family included?
The guide provides permits for the spouse, children without age limit, and parents.
Does the Golden Visa grant tax residency in the Emirates?
No source consulted states this. Tax residency follows its own criteria, including 183 days of presence or 90 days under certain conditions.
What is the duration of the visa?
Two official pages do not present it in the same way. Confirm it with the ICP before committing.
Take stock before investing
A residency project in the Emirates requires preparation based on your application, before any payment is made. Schedule an appointment with Balmont Conseil, a Lyon-based firm established for nearly 14 years, to discuss your application.
Alexis SagnierFinancial and real estate investment advisor, insurance broker, AMF certified
Founder of Balmont Conseil, Lyon (ORIAS 13003497)
Read also
- Living in the Emirates: taxes, VAT and tax residency
- Leaving France for the Emirates: exit tax and procedures
- France-United Arab Emirates Tax Treaty: The Details
- Leaving France for Thailand: exit tax
- United Kingdom: Entry and residence of a French citizen in 2026
- Singapore: Dependant's Pass for spouse and children
- Emirates: Personal and Corporate Tax in 2026
Official sources
- ICP, «UAE Golden Residency» (modified on 10/09/2026): https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-golden-residency/
- ICP, «Entry Permit Issuance for Real Estate Investor Residency» (updated 11/12/2024): https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=68e34eea5ae59b00117383d5
- ICP, «Issuance of a Residence Visa for an Investor in Public Investments» (updated 11/12/2024): https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=68e34ed35ae59b00117383d1
- UAE government portal, "Golden Visa" (updated 28/07/2026): https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/types-of-visas/golden-visa
- Cabinet Resolution No. 85 of 2022 (tax residency), uaelegislation.gov.ae: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1574/download
