Important Updates
Important Updates
September 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-2 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 3, 2025 | KuwaitKuwait: Resumption of Commercial Visit Visa Issuance for Pakistani Nationals
September 3, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
September 3, 2025 | RussiaRussia: New Monitoring Application Requirements for Certain Nationals
September 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-2 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 3, 2025 | KuwaitKuwait: Resumption of Commercial Visit Visa Issuance for Pakistani Nationals
September 3, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
September 3, 2025 | RussiaRussia: New Monitoring Application Requirements for Certain Nationals
September 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-2 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Clarifications on Long-Term Residence Program

June 27, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • Following conflicting media reports about the UAE government’s long-term residence program, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs has clarified in a press conference that the Golden Residency is actually a reference to the 10-year residence permit introduced in February 2019.
  • The Golden Residency is therefore not a separate program and does not introduce a permanent residence scheme at this time.

The situation

Following conflicting media reports about the UAE government’s long-term residence program, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) has clarified in a press conference that the Golden Residency (also referred to by the GDFRA as the ‘Golden Visa’ and ‘Golden Card’) is actually a reference to the 10-year residence permit, and not a separate long-term residency program.

A closer look

  • Eligibility requirements. All eligibility requirements for the Golden Residency permit are still accurate as listed in this alert.
  • No permanent residence option. Foreign nationals should note that, at this point, although the government has referred to this program as a permanent residency option, the Cabinet Resolution the government has referred to in related discussions does not explicitly mention permanent residency and instead only covers eligibility conditions for five and 10-year residence permits. Fragomen is not aware of other resolutions or regulations that point to this program offering permanent residency, though it is possible that there may be clarifications or new regulations issued on the topic in the future. 
  • Golden Residency program selection. The UAE government announced in May 2019 that the first eligible group of Golden Residency program beneficiaries include 6,800 investors from over 70 countries. The government has issued 400 Golden Residencies so far.

 

Impact

  • Fewer renewals and costs. Both five- and 10-year residence permits will allow eligible foreign nationals to reside in the United Arab Emirates for extended periods of time without having to renew their residence permit as often as under other residence options, which typically provide a validity of up to three years. Also, considering the relatively low government fees for the issuance of the visas, beneficiaries of this program will save costs associated with frequent visa renewals.
  • Continuous residence abroad. It also allows continuous residence outside the United Arab Emirates for six months at a time, which is a useful feature for those who plan to reside in another country.

 

Background

  • History of long-term permits. Conflicting information in the media led many immigration providers and businesses to believe that another long-term residence permit was announced in May 2018, in addition to the first program announced in February 2019.
  • Regional trend. Other countries in the region have started to implement permanent residence and long-term residence visa schemes to attract foreign investors. For example, in April, Qatar became the first Arab Gulf national to introduce permanent residence for foreign nationals with 20 years consecutive legal residence and Qatari-born nationals with 10 consecutive years of legal residence. Additionally, Saudi Arabia implemented the country’s first permanent residence program for foreign nationals.

 

Looking ahead

Fragomen expects that additional details related to the Golden Residency program will be clarified in the coming months and will provide updates as they become available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.