The UAE's updated Golden Visa offers Indians lifetime residency for a one-time fee and background checks, removing property investment hurdles.
The UAE has significantly eased its Golden Visa rules for Indian nationals as of July 2025, introducing a new nomination-based pathway that removes the previous requirements for property or business investment.
Key features of the new UAE Golden Visa rules for Indians:
- No property or business investment required: Indians no longer need to buy property or hold a trade license to qualify. Previously, a minimum property investment of AED 2 million (about ₹4.66 crore) was required.
- Nomination-based eligibility: Applicants are now assessed on their professional background, societal contributions, and potential benefit to the UAE in fields such as culture, finance, trade, science, startups, and professional services.
- One-time fee: The visa can be obtained by paying a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (approximately ₹23.3 lakh).
- Background checks: Applicants undergo anti-money laundering, criminal record, and social media checks. The final decision rests with UAE authorities after nomination.
- Expanded eligibility: The scheme now includes a wide range of professionals:
- Scientists, senior executives, teachers, university faculty
- Experienced nurses (15+ years)
- Digital creators (YouTubers, podcasters), certified e-sports players (25+)
- Luxury yacht owners and maritime industry leaders.
- Family and staff sponsorship: Golden Visa holders can sponsor family members of any age and employ unlimited domestic staff. Family members can remain in the UAE even after the visa holder’s death.
- Lifetime residency: The nomination-based Golden Visa is permanent and does not expire if property is sold, unlike the investment-linked version.
- No local sponsor needed: Holders can live, work, or study in the UAE without a local sponsor, and can stay outside the UAE for extended periods without losing residency.
Application process:
- Applications are managed by the Rayad Group (in partnership with VFS Global and One Vasco visa concierge centres) and can be submitted online, via call centre, or at designated offices in India.
- Pre-approval can be obtained from India, and applicants do not need to visit Dubai for the initial process.
Pilot program: This nomination-based Golden Visa is currently a pilot for India and Bangladesh, with over 5,000 Indian applications expected in the first three months.
Summary Table: New vs. Old Golden Visa Rules for Indians
| Feature | Old System | New Nomination-Based System |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Required | Yes (AED 2 million in property/business) | No |
| Eligibility | Investors, entrepreneurs, top students | Wide range of professionals, creators, executives, teachers, etc. |
| Fee | Investment amount (min. ₹4.66 crore) | AED 100,000 (approx. ₹23.3 lakh) |
| Application Process | Through investment channels | Via Rayad Group, VFS, One Vasco, online/call centre |
| Residency Duration | 10 years (renewable) | Lifetime (permanent) |
| Family/Staff Sponsorship | Yes | Yes (unlimited staff, any age family) |
| Sponsor Needed | No | No |
What are the new eligibility criteria for Indians to get Dubai's Golden Visa
The new eligibility criteria for Indians to obtain Dubai’s Golden Visa under the nomination-based system are as follows:
- No investment or property purchase required: Indians are no longer required to invest in property or business in the UAE. The previous minimum property investment of AED 2 million (about ₹4.66 crore) has been eliminated.
- Nomination-based selection: Applicants must be nominated based on their professional achievements, expertise, or potential contribution to the UAE’s economy and society, particularly in sectors such as culture, science, finance, trade, startups, and innovation.
- Eligible professions and categories: The program now includes a wide range of professionals, such as:
- Scientists and researchers
- Senior executives
- Educators (school teachers, principals, university faculty)
- Experienced nurses (15+ years)
- Healthcare workers
- Digital creators (YouTubers, podcasters)
- Certified e-sports professionals (aged 25+)
- Luxury yacht owners and maritime industry leaders
- Start-up founders and innovators
- Background checks: Nominees must clear comprehensive anti-money laundering, criminal background, and social media checks. The final approval is at the discretion of UAE authorities.
- One-time fee: Applicants must pay a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (approximately ₹23.3 lakh).
- Required documents: Applicants need to submit:
- Personal and professional profile
- Bank statements for the last six months
- Passport copy
- Highest academic qualification
- Valid proof of address
- Police clearance certificate
- Pilot phase: The nomination-based Golden Visa is currently open to residents of India and Bangladesh.
Summary Table: Key Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | New Nomination-Based Golden Visa |
|---|---|
| Investment/Property Requirement | None |
| Selection Method | Nomination based on professional merit |
| Eligible Professions | Wide range: science, education, healthcare, digital creators, executives, maritime, etc. |
| Background Checks | Yes (AML, criminal, social media) |
| Application Fee | AED 100,000 (₹23.3 lakh) |
| Required Documents | Profile, bank statements, passport, education, address, police clearance |
| Open To | Indians (pilot phase), Bangladeshis |
What background checks do I need to pass to qualify for Dubai’s updated Golden Visa
To qualify for Dubai’s updated Golden Visa as an Indian applicant, you must pass three main types of background checks:
- Anti-money laundering (AML) check: Authorities will verify that you have no involvement in money laundering or related financial crimes.
- Criminal record screening: You must have a clean criminal background, both in India and in any other country where you have lived.
- Social media check: Your online presence and social media activity will be reviewed to ensure there is nothing that could be considered a risk or contrary to UAE values or laws.
Additionally, you are generally required to provide a police clearance certificate from your home country or any country where you have resided in recent years as part of the criminal background check.
The final decision on your eligibility rests with UAE authorities after these checks are completed.
To Summarise
The UAE has launched a groundbreaking nomination-based Golden Visa scheme, significantly expanding access to lifetime residency for Indian professionals and contributors. This new system eliminates the previous requirement for substantial property or business investments, making the Golden Visa attainable for a much broader pool of high-calibre individuals.
Under this revised policy, eligible Indians can secure permanent residency in the UAE by paying a one-time fee of approximately AED 100,000 (around INR 23.3 lakh), provided they are nominated and pass rigorous background checks. These checks include anti-money laundering, criminal record verification, and social media assessments.
The initiative aims to attract diverse talent across various sectors, including science, culture, finance, trade, startups, and professional services, aligning with the UAE's strategic vision to bolster its knowledge-based economy and deepen ties with India. This marks a significant shift from a purely investment-driven residency model to one that values professional contributions and expertise, offering long-term stability and numerous benefits, including the ability to sponsor family members, engage in business or professional activities, and retain the visa even if assets in the UAE are later sold.