Dubai Golden Visa: Eligibility, how Indians can apply, Indian celebs who have it & all you need to know

A few days back, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), visited India and met PM Modi in New Delhi. The camaraderie between PM Modi and Dubai's Crown Prince depicted how India and the UAE have come close to each other in the past few years. Apart from strategic partnership, the Indian influx to Dubai has also skyrocketed. 

 

Infact, affluent Indians have been shifting their bases to Dubai rather than to remain in India. Although it is concerning for India, there is no denial that people-to-people contact between India and the UAE has been cordial. Hence, the demand for visas to Dubai is also on the rise in India. In the meantime, the Gulf city had announced the golden visa program back in 2019, and now it has started to bear fruit for Dubai, especially when it comes to Indians in Dubai. 

The Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that enables foreign talents to live, work, or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. People who have been given Dubai Golden Visa can avail multiple benefits including-  an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance, a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years, the privilege of not needing a sponsor, the ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months to keep their residence visa valid, the ability to sponsor their family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages, the ability to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic helpers, and the permit for family members to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, if the primary holder of the Golden Visa passes away.

The Golden Visa is available to several categories of individuals

• Investors: Those who have invested in the UAE economy.
• Entrepreneurs: Owners of registered startups or those with innovative business ideas.
• Specialized Talents and Researchers: Doctors, scientists, inventors, and creatives in culture and art.
• Outstanding Students and Graduates: High-performing students in UAE secondary schools and universities.
• Humanitarian Pioneers: Individuals with distinguished humanitarian efforts.
• Frontline Heroes: Workers who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts in crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notably, the Dubai administration has given its golden visa to a plethora of Indian celebrities. The list includes- Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, Kriti Sanon, Sanjay Dutt, Boney Kapoor and his family, Sania Mirza, Urvashi Rautela, etc. 

Applicants can apply through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. The application process typically involves:

1. Submitting the required documents, such as a valid passport, a recent photograph, and relevant qualifications or investment proofs.
2. Undergoing a medical examination and obtaining health insurance.
3. Paying the applicable fees.
4. Awaiting approval and visa issuance.

As per reports, for investors, a minimum investment of AED 2 million (approximately $550,000) in real estate is required.  The total cost could be around AED 9,684.75 for a 10-year Golden Visa, based on the information provided by the Dubai Land Department. 

Why are rich Indians migrating to Dubai?

Talking to True Scoop, Ashish Ahuja of ACS Immigration in Jalandhar, said, "The main reason is taxation. Taxes like income tax or any other taxes are quite limited there. Hence, affluent Indians prefer to go to Dubai. The second reason is security. Like here in India, you get ransom or threatening calls from gangsters, so affluent Indians don't feel safe. They think, why not prioritise safety and shift to Dubai? The third factor is Dubai's Economy, which is based on real estate. Its economy is on a boom. So, people are also going for investment purposes. So, these are a few reasons why Dubai has become very popular among Indians."

"The trend of moving to Dubai is not very old. It has been witnessed for the past two to three years. One who has money can easily open their company. People can get a Visa for Dubai easily. Even many from Punjab, including Jalandhar, have already moved to Dubai," added Ashish Ahuja.