Match the category to the person
GDRFA’s Dubai directory separates investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, scientists, outstanding students and other specified categories. Do not apply a professional salary criterion to an investor, or a property threshold to an entrepreneur.
Set out your occupation or project, achievements, investment position and any existing nomination. A job title or business-card description alone is not a complete evidence plan.
Build evidence for that category
Professional or specialist cases may need evidence of qualifications, achievements, employment and relevant recognition. Investment cases need the applicable asset or company records. Use the selected authority’s current checklist before commissioning translations or third-party reports.
Identify which documents already exist, who must issue missing evidence and whether the relevant authority requires nomination. A nomination or recommendation should not be treated as the final residence decision.
Confirm duration and conditions for the Dubai process
Official material is not uniform: ICP’s entrepreneur summary describes five years, whereas GDRFA’s Dubai entrepreneur service describes ten. These should not be presented as one universal promise. Confirm the service and applicable grant with the authority.
Renewal depends on continuing to meet the relevant conditions. Retain the decision and supporting records, and seek advice before a change to the investment, role or project relied on in the application.
Plan the whole move
Family eligibility, medical and identity steps and travel arrangements need checking separately. Do not assume every relative can be included or that each person’s application is automatic.
Ask for a cost breakdown for the selected category and each family member. A general visa fee range can omit mandatory stages and third-party costs; it is not a reliable total budget.
Common questions
Is every Golden Visa valid for ten years?
No single duration should be applied to every category and process. Check the actual Dubai route and decision, particularly where official summaries differ.
Can approval be guaranteed?
No. A preliminary assessment helps identify the correct route and evidence; approval remains an authority decision.
Your next step
Discuss your Dubai plans
Send a short outline of your circumstances, intended outcome and timing. We will confirm whether we can assist, the scope, any specialist involvement and fees before instruction.
Make an enquiryOfficial sources
This guide gives general information. The rules, dates and circumstances relevant to an application need to be checked individually.