UAE golden visa: No ‘lifetime’ residency, say officials and experts. Here’s who can apply | World News
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has denied recent media reports suggesting that the country is offering lifetime Golden Visas to certain nationalities.Some outlets had claimed that a nomination process was in place to verify and forward Golden Visa applications, an assertion the ICP says was misinterpreted as a guaranteed pathway to obtain the visa.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the ICP clarified that the eligibility categories, conditions, and regulations of the Golden Visa are strictly governed official laws, legislations, and minerial decisions. “Interested individuals can find the official information on the Authority’s website or smart application,” it noted.
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The ICP stressed that all Golden Visa applications must be submitted through official government channels within the UAE, and that no internal or external consultancy entity is authorised to process or facilitate such applications.
The authority flagged recent false claims from a consultancy office based abroad, which suggested that lifetime Golden Visas could be obtained from outside the UAE under simplified conditions. These claims, the ICP said, “have no legal basis and were made without coordination with the relevant authorities in the UAE.”
Legal action will be taken against any entity spreading misinformation or attempting to illegally solicit money from individuals hoping to live in the UAE, the ICP warned.
Experts warn of rising consultancy scams
As per a report Khaleej Times, visa experts and authorised service centres in Dubai, such as Amer, Tasheel, and Tawjeeh, are urging applicants to avoid third-party agents and influencers making exaggerated claims—especially those charging exorbitant fees.Story continues below this ad
“On the day we read the news, we knew this was fake. There is no such thing as a ‘lifetime Golden Visa’,” said Masiuddin Mohammed from the Quality Government Service Centre in Dubai Investment Park 1, Khaleej Times reported.
He added, “Legitimate application routes include the ICP website and Amer centres, where we’re strictly monitored. If we provide wrong information, we’re held accountable—even fined.”
Some consultancies, particularly those based abroad, reportedly charge up to AED 40,000 (₹9 lakh) for Golden Visa processing, while the actual fee is closer to AED 3,000 (₹67,000) excluding medical tests and Emirates ID costs.
“There’s so much online hype—driven content creators and influencers looking for followers. But their claims are not grounded in reality,” Masiuddin warned.Story continues below this ad
Who is eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?
As per the report Khaleej Times, Firosekhan, operations manager at Dubai-based Arabian Business Centre, said misinformation is widespread, and many agents lack basic knowledge of official requirements.
Golden Visa eligibility is clearly defined, with key categories including:
Skilled professionals earning a monthly basic salary of at least AED 30,000 (₹6.7 lakh)
Investors with AED 2 million (₹4.5 crore) in fixed deposits
Real estate buyers owning property worth at least AED 2 million (₹4.5 crore)
IT experts, scients, and individuals with specialised talent
Outstanding students and humanitarian workers
In Dubai, applicants can be outside the UAE during nomination but must enter the country to finalise the process within three days of approval. In other Emirates, applicants must already be in the UAE during both the nomination and application phases.
“Many people come to us after being quoted AED 20,000 to AED 40,000 (₹4.5 to ₹9 lakh) agents,” said Firosekhan. “We always tell them: check only with Amer, GDRFA, DET, or ICP—the official channels.”
