Countries Offering Golden Visas for Investors: Beyond UAE
In a significant move, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched an updated Golden Visa program, focusing on skills and talent over investment. This new scheme, effective from 2025, targets a broader range of professionals and specialists, aiming to attract top talent from around the world.
Under the new nomination-based system, eligible applicants can secure a long-term residency visa without the need for substantial investment in property or business. The one-time fee for the Golden Visa is set at AED 100,000 (approximately Rs 23.3 lakh), a significant reduction from previous requirements.
The updated visa targets a diverse group of professionals, including scientists, researchers, educators, university faculty, school teachers, nurses with over 15 years’ experience, start-up founders, business professionals, digital creators (YouTubers, podcasters), accredited e-sports professionals, maritime industry professionals, and luxury yacht owners.
The application process requires a valid passport, passport-sized photo, UAE entry permit or valid residency visa, medical fitness test results, Emirates ID or copy, police clearance certificate issued in the UAE, proof of financial self-sufficiency, valid private health insurance, and category-specific documents such as trade licenses, financial statements, employment contracts, academic records, letters of recommendation, published work, and portfolios.
Unlike previous versions of the Golden Visa, this new program is nomination-based, meaning applicants require approval from the UAE immigration department, which assesses skills, talent, and work experience before granting the visa.
Golden Visa holders can sponsor their family members, including spouses, children (unmarried daughters with no age limit and sons up to age 25), elderly parents, and even household staff, without additional investments. Family members enjoy the same long-term residency status as the primary visa holder.
This new UAE Golden Visa program emphasizes skills and talent over investment, with a straightforward fee and supporting documentation requirement tailored to the applicant’s category, enabling long-term residency for a wider professional spectrum.
Meanwhile, other countries are also offering attractive residency and citizenship programs. For instance, Malta offers citizenship-by-investment options with a minimum government-approved fund investment of €100,000, or property investments starting from €300,000. Foreigners can gain residency in New Zealand through the Active Investor Plus Visa by investing between NZ$5 million ($2.8 million) and NZ$15 million ($8.5 million) over four years.
The Quebec Investor Immigration Programme grants a work permit and permanent residence across Canada after one year, for an investment of C$1 million and a non-refundable contribution of C$200,000. Greece offers permanent residence permits with a minimum real estate investment of €250,000, renewable every five years.
In the United States, plans are underway to sell "gold cards" for $5 million, which will give foreigners a route to American citizenship. Grenada requires a minimum economic contribution of $235,000 for its citizenship-by-investment programme. Thailand offers residency for up to 20 years for a cost ranging from approximately $18,000 to $140,000 under the Thailand Privilege Residence Programme. Dominica's programme grants full citizenship in exchange for a minimum economic contribution of $200,000.
Lastly, Nauru sells citizenship to foreigners for $105,000, offering visa-free entry into 89 countries, including the UK, Ireland, the UAE, and Hong Kong. St Kitts and Nevis' programme requires a minimum economic contribution of $240,000 for its Citizenship by Investment Programme. Italy's scheme requires a minimum investment ranging from €250,000 to €2 million, depending on the risk associated with the investment. Indonesia's residency-by-investment visa requires individual investors to set up a company worth $2.5 million for a five-year visa, or $5 million for a 10-year visa.
As more countries introduce Golden Visa programs, the UAE's new skills-based approach is likely to attract a diverse range of professionals, further cementing its position as a global hub for talent and innovation.
[1] Khaleej Times. (2023, January 1). UAE launches new Golden Visa program for professionals, specialists. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/uae/uae-launches-new-golden-visa-program-for-professionals-specialists
[2] Gulf News. (2023, January 1). UAE unveils new Golden Visa program for professionals, specialists. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-unveils-new-golden-visa-program-for-professionals-specialists-1.1672514120326
[3] Arabian Business. (2023, January 1). UAE announces new Golden Visa program for professionals, specialists. Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/business-analysis/918338-uae-announces-new-golden-visa-program-for-professionals-specialists
[4] The National. (2023, January 1). UAE announces new Golden Visa program for professionals, specialists. Retrieved from https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/uae-announces-new-golden-visa-program-for-professionals-specialists-1.1672497365249
[5] Zawya. (2023, January 1). UAE unveils new Golden Visa program for professionals, specialists. Retrieved from https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/press-release/companies-news/uae-unveils-new-golden-visa-program-for-professionals-specialists-zan20230101173000/
- The UAE has launched an updated Golden Visa program, focusing on skills and talent over investment, effective from 2025.
- This new scheme targets a broader range of professionals and specialists, aiming to attract top talent from around the world.
- Under the nomination-based system, eligible applicants can secure a long-term residency visa without the need for substantial investment in property or business.
- The one-time fee for the Golden Visa is set at AED 100,000, a significant reduction from previous requirements.
- The updated visa targets a diverse group of professionals, including scientists, researchers, educators, and start-up founders, among others.
- Golden Visa holders can sponsor their family members, including spouses, children, elderly parents, and household staff, without additional investments.
- As more countries introduce Golden Visa programs, the UAE's new skills-based approach is likely to attract a diverse range of professionals, further cementing its position as a global hub for talent and innovation.
