Self-sponsored visa, convenient travel options, and simplified family sponsorship. The Golden Visa is a residency permit valid for 10 years, enabling foreign professionals, investors, and academically outstanding students to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a local sponsor.
Dubai: Are you considering applying for the UAE’s Golden Visa? Beyond securing a long-term residency in the UAE, you can also take advantage of various additional benefits.
Here’s a list of advantages associated with the 10-year visa.
What is the UAE’s Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit valid for 10 years, allowing individuals to live, work, or study in the UAE without requiring a sponsor. It is available to various categories of applicants, including talented individuals, researchers, exceptional students, medical professionals, specialists, innovators, athletes, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Long-term, Renewable Residency
One of the key advantages of the Golden Visa is that it provides holders with a renewable residency permit valid for 10 years. You can renew the visa as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for the category under which you initially applied.
No Sponsor or Employer Required
Typically, residence visas in the UAE necessitate a sponsor, whether it’s an employer for work visas or a family member who is already a resident for family visas. However, recent changes to the UAE’s visa system have introduced several self-sponsored options, including the Golden Visa.
Holding a Golden Visa can facilitate job changes for workers, as they won’t need to cancel a residence visa sponsored by a previous employer.
Extended Absence Without Visa Cancellation
Golden Visa holders have the advantage of being able to stay outside the UAE for over six months while still maintaining the validity of their residence visa. Typically, a residence visa would be canceled if the holder remains outside the UAE for more than six months.
Enhanced Family Sponsorship Options
The updated visa system enables all expatriates to sponsor male children up to 25 years old, and for those who are Persons of Determination, sponsorship can continue indefinitely. Golden Visa holders benefit from a 10-year residency, eliminating the need for frequent renewals. Additionally, if the primary Golden Visa holder passes away, the permits of sponsored family members will remain valid.
Unlimited Sponsorship of Domestic Workers
The Golden Visa allows holders to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic workers.
Special Multiple-Entry Visa for Applicants
For those who do not yet possess a Golden Visa and are not currently residing in the UAE, there is a dedicated six-month multiple-entry visit visa available. This allows applicants to enter the UAE to complete their application process.
Obtain a Driving License Without Lessons
As a Golden Visa holder in Dubai with a valid driving license from your home country, you can simply enroll at a driving institute in Dubai. After registering as a student, you are not required to take any classes and can immediately apply for the knowledge (theory) and road tests. Upon passing both tests, you will receive your UAE driving license.
Exclusive Health Insurance Plans
Golden Visa holders who are full-time employees in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will remain covered by their employer’s health insurance policy. However, investors, freelancers, and those living abroad must secure their own health insurance.
The National Health Insurance Company – Daman offers a dedicated health insurance plan for Golden Visa holders, with premiums starting as low as Dh2,393 for an annual coverage limit of Dh300,000.
Greater Work Flexibility
Under Article 9 of the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), employees on probation who leave the UAE without providing the required notice to their employer may face a one-year employment ban. However, Article 11 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 provides exemptions to this rule, including Golden Visa holders.
However, Article 11 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 specifies exemptions to this rule, with Golden Visa holders being notably included. The complete list of exemptions is as follows:
- Workers in sectors considered vital to the UAE’s national interests.
- Individuals on family-sponsored visas.
- Holders of the Golden Visa.
- Employees in specific job categories as designated by the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, based on employment classifications approved by the Cabinet.
- Workers applying for a new permit with their current employer.
