United Arab Emirates’s Golden Visa for Indians now without trade license, property purchase

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a new nomination-based Golden Visa scheme, aimed at widening access to long-term residency for Indian and Bangladeshi nationals without requiring large capital investments. Unlike the traditional route that required a minimum property investment of Rs. 4.66 crore (US$ 543,630) or significant business investments, the new model allows eligible individuals to secure lifetime residency by paying a one-time fee of around Rs. 23.30 lakh (US$ 27,183). Over 5,000 Indians are expected to apply within the next three months, according to officials involved in the rollout.
The pilot initiative is part of the UAE’s evolving immigration framework in line with its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India, which came into force in May 2022. Rayad Group, in collaboration with VFS and One VASCO visa concierge centres, has been tasked with processing the applications. Background checks covering criminal records, anti-money laundering compliance, and social media activity will be conducted to assess the applicant’s potential contribution to the UAE in areas such as culture, finance, science, trade, and professional services. Once approved, the visa provides the right to sponsor family members, employ domestic staff, and pursue business or professional ventures in the UAE. Unlike the property-linked visa, this nomination-based visa offers lifetime validity, even if assets are sold.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.