Important Updates
Important Updates
September 17, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Electronic Visa Platform Announced
September 18, 2025 | IndiaIndia: New Law Simplifies Immigration Law and Creates Stricter Registration and Reporting Rules
September 17, 2025 | BrazilAgência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários
September 17, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Immigration Processing Delays
September 17, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Delays for ‘Association Agreement with Türkiye’-Covered Applications
September 17, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Electronic Visa Platform Announced
September 18, 2025 | IndiaIndia: New Law Simplifies Immigration Law and Creates Stricter Registration and Reporting Rules
September 17, 2025 | BrazilAgência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários
September 17, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Immigration Processing Delays
September 17, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Delays for ‘Association Agreement with Türkiye’-Covered Applications
September 17, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Electronic Visa Platform Announced
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

Golden Visas: Long-Term Residency in the UAE

May 2, 2023

Golden Visas: Long-Term Residency in the UAE

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Related contacts

Photo of Nofisatu Mojidi

Nofisatu Mojidi

Senior Manager

Dubai (DIFC), United Arab Emirates

Email

[email protected]

T:+971 (0) 4 818 1785

Related offices

  • Dubai (DIFC)
  • Dubai (DIC)

Related content

  • Are you eligible for Long-Term Residency in the UAE?

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Nofisatu Mojidi

Nofisatu Mojidi

Senior Manager

Dubai (DIFC), United Arab Emirates

Email

[email protected]

T:+971 (0) 4 818 1785

Related offices

  • Dubai (DIFC)
  • Dubai (DIC)

Related content

  • Are you eligible for Long-Term Residency in the UAE?

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Nofisatu Mojidi

Nofisatu Mojidi

Senior Manager

Dubai (DIFC), United Arab Emirates

Email

[email protected]

T:+971 (0) 4 818 1785

Related offices

  • Dubai (DIFC)
  • Dubai (DIC)

Related content

  • Are you eligible for Long-Term Residency in the UAE?

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Nofisatu Mojidi

The year 2023 has been labelled as the year of resilience, with a focus on immigration policies to alleviate the pressure on global economies caused by the shortage of skilled labour.

Concerns about the national security and political stability of the countries to which tourists are considering travelling have joined health and safety concerns as major factors in determining which destinations are chosen, even as the effects of Ukraine's conflict continue to dominate global headlines.

One of the most notable migration trends, however, has been the gradual increase in migration channels designed specifically to accommodate highly skilled individuals.

Spotlight on the UAE

In this current environment, the United Arab Emirates remains competitive thanks to its ability to attract top talent from around the world and its high levels of investment and innovation, both of which create new job opportunities.

“What you do” and “where you do it” are no longer inextricably linked in the post-COVID-19 era. The UAE has one of the most diverse populations in the world, with residents from more than 200 countries. This means that multinational corporations can tap into a diverse pool of talent, ranging from technology specialists to highly qualified service professionals. This will be necessary given the IMF's recent prediction that there will be a global shortage of more than 85 million tech workers by 2030, representing AED 31.2 trillion in lost annual revenue.

As the UAE boasts one of the world's most digitally advanced economies, the government will tap into the global shortage of tech workers by embracing innovation and enabling an ecosystem with a variety of futuristic long-term strategies across AI, blockchain, 3D printing and Internet of Things (IoT).

Moreover, the UAE has a variety of different visa options, including those for remote workers, freelancers and even the highly sought-after "golden visas,’’ which attract highly skilled professionals from all over the world.

The UAE’s Long-Term Residence Permits

Although the concept of long-term residency in the UAE is still relatively new compared to many other global residence programs, the UAE Golden Visa has gained significant momentum throughout the past few years.

During the last twelve months, we have seen the UAE’s Golden Visa emerge as one of the most coveted visa options when securing long-term residence in the Middle East. More than 152,000 UAE Golden Visas have been issued since the launch of the Golden Visa Program in 2019, giving way to a major shift in policy towards more welcoming legislation to fill open positions, attract visitors and secure long-term talent across the UAE.

The UAE has made great strides in making its Golden Visa offering very competitive by including the following benefits:

  • Long-term, renewable residency valid for 10 years.
  • No minimum requirement for the number of days of residency, giving frequent travellers the flexibility to spend extended periods of time out of the UAE without jeopardising their residency status.
  • Residency not being tied to a specific employer.
  • The ability to sponsor legal dependents, including a spouse, parents and dependent children, regardless of their ages.
  • The ability to sponsor a residence permit for an unlimited number of domestic workers.
  • Golden Visa holders having potential eligibility for discounts on cars, real estate, health care, health insurance, banking services, dining, spa treatments, gyms, and stays at selected hospitality destinations throughout the UAE.
  • In the unfortunate event that the primary holder of the Golden Visa passes away, legal dependents being allowed to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.

Looking Ahead

Long-term residency programmes in the UAE have made it possible not only for highly skilled professionals and specialists, but also for real estate investors, entrepreneurs, students and retirees to relocate to a more favourable jurisdiction and obtain full residency rights.

These rights include the right to live, work, study and receive healthcare in the country. It is becoming increasingly clear that the current surge in Golden Visa applications will continue as long as the government remains creative in offering expanded and accessible long-term visa categories.

Are you interested in obtaining long-term residency for the UAE? To determine whether you are eligible to apply, use Fragomen's FREE Long-Term Residence Assessment Eligibility Tool.

Need to know more?

For further information on long-term residency requirements, please contact Senior Private Client Manager Nofisatu Mojidi at [email protected].

This blog was published on 2 May 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Country / Territory

  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Related contacts

Photo of Nofisatu Mojidi

Nofisatu Mojidi

Senior Manager

Dubai (DIFC), United Arab Emirates

Email

[email protected]

T:+971 (0) 4 818 1785

Related offices

  • Dubai (DIFC)
  • Dubai (DIC)

Related content

  • Are you eligible for Long-Term Residency in the UAE?

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Nofisatu Mojidi

Nofisatu Mojidi

Senior Manager

Dubai (DIFC), United Arab Emirates

Email

[email protected]

T:+971 (0) 4 818 1785

Related offices

  • Dubai (DIFC)
  • Dubai (DIC)

Related content

  • Are you eligible for Long-Term Residency in the UAE?

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Nofisatu Mojidi

Nofisatu Mojidi

Senior Manager

Dubai (DIFC), United Arab Emirates

Email

[email protected]

T:+971 (0) 4 818 1785

Related offices

  • Dubai (DIFC)
  • Dubai (DIC)

Related content

  • Are you eligible for Long-Term Residency in the UAE?

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Agência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários

Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Impact on UK Aviation Roles

Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Crackdown on Illegal Working in Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore highlights the need for UK construction employers to maintain compliance and manage risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newsweek: Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost

Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.

Learn more

Video

Permanent Access Cards Replaced by Permanent Identity Cards for Golden Visa Holders in Jebel Ali Free Zone | #MobilityMinute

Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.

Learn more

Blog post

Under the Microscope: How UK Care Providers Can Prepare for Home Office Compliance Checks

Manager Evan Tutton and Associate Naomi Nyamaah discuss increased Home Office scrutiny of the UK care sector, including more sponsor licence compliance checks and enforcement visits due to concerns over non-compliance and exploitation.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the 2025 Changes to Belgium’s Family Reunification Rules

Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.

Learn more

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Agência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários

Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Impact on UK Aviation Roles

Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Crackdown on Illegal Working in Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore highlights the need for UK construction employers to maintain compliance and manage risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newsweek: Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost

Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.

Learn more

Video

Permanent Access Cards Replaced by Permanent Identity Cards for Golden Visa Holders in Jebel Ali Free Zone | #MobilityMinute

Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.

Learn more

Blog post

Under the Microscope: How UK Care Providers Can Prepare for Home Office Compliance Checks

Manager Evan Tutton and Associate Naomi Nyamaah discuss increased Home Office scrutiny of the UK care sector, including more sponsor licence compliance checks and enforcement visits due to concerns over non-compliance and exploitation.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the 2025 Changes to Belgium’s Family Reunification Rules

Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.

Learn more

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

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.