UAE Golden Visa Applications Skyrocket After Decrease In Minimum Salary Requirement

The UAE has reportedly seen a spike in demand for long-term residency since a change was implemented in the minimum salary requirement for its Golden Visas last month.

Dubai's Arabian Business Center said about 30 to 40 Golden Visas have been issued daily since the change in salary requirement.

"This year, we have issued more than 12,000 long-term residency visas," operations manager Firosekhan told Khaleej Times.

About 151,600 Golden Visas were issued in Dubai between 2019 and 2022, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs had reported.

With the UAE easing up on its Golden Visa requirements, this figure is expected to go up significantly in the coming months.

The new scheme indicates that the minimum monthly salary requirement for Golden Visas is now Dh 30,000, a significant drop from the previous Dh 50,000. The change applies to skilled professionals living in the UAE, specifically in the fields of medicine, engineering, information technology, sciences, business, law, culture, education, and social sciences.

Other requirements for the Golden Visa include a valid employment contract in the UAE, and a first or second occupational level classification based on the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiritisation system. Applicants should also have at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent to be eligible.

The 10-year residency has been the most popular option among expatriates. Foreign professionals often apply for the Golden Visa for both legal and personal reasons.

"My visa was expiring at the time, and I didn't have a permanent visa. I am active in the arts scene, so I was eligible," Lebanese expat Rosine Saad told the Khaleej Times. "I also wanted personal stability. Being from a nationality that can't do 'visa runs,' I wanted something that connects me here. I feel that the UAE is my second home, and I grew here as a person in the last 10 years."

Rosine said obtaining the Golden Visa was a great relief, as she no longer had to worry about her residency status in the UAE.

"I felt humbled and grateful. They saw something in me. Now, I can focus on what I want to do without being stressed about my legal status. I feel like I can take my time to explore creatively," she said.

The UAE has also unveiled a new online tool last week that can help interested applicants determine if they are eligible for the Golden Visa. The two-minute quiz is available on the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship's official website, and includes questions about an expat's UAE investments, job role, educational background, and economic contribution.