Golden Visa (Entrepreneur)

The UAE Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs is a long-term residence permit enabling foreign nationals who own or are launching innovative, technology-focused businesses to reside in the UAE without a local sponsor. It targets founders and co-founders of startups and technology ventures, as well as established SME owners generating substantial revenue. Holders are exempt from the standard 180-day absence rule that nullifies typical UAE residence visas, and may sponsor family members and domestic workers.

The entrepreneur category is administered by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) in other emirates, and the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) for Abu Dhabi applications.

Applicants must meet one of the following pathways:

• Innovation/technology pathway: Own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk and innovation, valued at not less than AED 500,000, with auditor certification, emirate authority approval, and accredited business incubator endorsement
• SME pathway: Own or partner in an SME-classified pioneering project registered with the Ministry of Economy or local authorities, generating annual revenue of at least AED 1,000,000
• Incubator-endorsed pathway: Hold approval from an accredited business incubator (Area 2071 in Dubai, Hub71 in Abu Dhabi), the Ministry of Economy, or a competent local authority for a pioneering project concept
• Previous project founders: Founded or co-founded a previously sold pioneering project(s) with total sale value of at least AED 7,000,000

No specific educational qualifications are required — eligibility is based on entrepreneurial activity and business performance or incubator endorsement. The entrepreneur must be able to support themselves and their family without government assistance, and maintain comprehensive health insurance throughout the permit period.

• Copy of passport (valid 6+ months)
• Personal photograph
• Nomination letter from the relevant authority (Dubai Future Foundation, Hub71, or Ministry of Economy)
• For the SME pathway: trade license, audited financial statements (2 years), company profile/deck, SME registration evidence
• For the incubator pathway: acceptance letter from accredited business incubator, business concept overview deck, founder's LinkedIn profile
• For the innovation/technology pathway: UAE-registered auditor letter confirming AED 500,000+ project value, emirate authority certification that the project is of a technical or future nature
• For previous project founders: proof of sale documenting AED 7,000,000+ transaction (verified by the Ministry of Economy or competent local authority), previous project trade license, co-founders' LinkedIn profiles, new owner identification
• Comprehensive health insurance for applicant and family

The federal u.ae portal states a 5-year duration, while GDRFA Dubai lists 10 years for entrepreneurs — applicants should verify the current term at time of application. The visa is renewable indefinitely as long as the qualifying conditions continue to be met.

Holders may sponsor their spouse and children of any age, as well as unlimited domestic workers. Family members' residence permits are tied to the main applicant's Golden Visa duration. No additional income requirement applies for sponsoring dependants. If the primary holder passes away, family members may remain in the UAE until their permit expires.

The UAE does not levy personal income tax on individuals. Holders residing 180+ days may apply for a Tax Residency Certificate from the Federal Tax Authority. Federal corporate tax of 9% applies to business profits exceeding AED 375,000 (effective June 2023).

The process varies by emirate:

• Dubai: Obtain a nomination letter from Dubai Future Foundation (Area 2071), then apply through the GDRFA smart services portal (smart.gdrfad.gov.ae) via UAE Pass, or in person at Amer Service Centers. Total fees via GDRFA Dubai are approximately AED 2,280 (AED 1,100 residence permit + AED 10 Knowledge Dirham + AED 10 Innovation Dirham + AED 500 domestic fee + AED 20 delivery), with the issuance fee increasing by AED 100 per year for residencies exceeding 2 years.
• Abu Dhabi: Apply through the TAMM portal via the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO), with Hub71 as the primary accredited incubator for entrepreneur endorsements. Non-UAE residents applying to Abu Dhabi contact [email protected].
• Other emirates: Apply via the ICP portal (icp.gov.ae).

Processing takes approximately 5 days via GDRFA Dubai, sometimes as quick as 48 hours. Upon approval, the holder receives a 6-month multi-entry visa to enter the UAE and complete residency formalities including a medical fitness test, biometric registration, and Emirates ID issuance. Paying the processing fee does not guarantee approval.

• Accredited business incubator endorsement is a critical prerequisite — Area 2071 (Dubai) and Hub71 (Abu Dhabi) are the primary recognized platforms
• Area 2071 specifically requires a minimum capital of AED 500,000 in a field approved by the Ministry of Economy
• Golden Visa holders can enter the UAE directly at any time while their residency is valid, without needing a separate entry permit
• Overstay fees are standardized at AED 50 per day
• The May 2025 expansion of the broader Golden Visa programme added new beneficiary categories (long-serving nurses, educators, content creators, e-sports professionals, luxury yacht owners, Waqf donors); these sit alongside the entrepreneur category and do not alter its eligibility criteria