UAE's Golden Residency: Key Conditions for Entrepreneurs

The United Arab Emirates provides a pathway for entrepreneurs to obtain long-term residency through its Golden Residency programme, managed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). This programme grants a ten-year renewable residency permit, allowing holders and their families to live, work, study, and invest in the UAE without needing a local sponsor.

To qualify, entrepreneurs must meet at least one of four specific conditions: 1) Own or have a partnership stake in a registered small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in an approved sector, generating annual revenues of at least AED 1,000,000; 2) Secure formal approval for a viable business idea from an accredited business incubator or relevant authority; 3) Have previously founded and sold businesses with a combined value of at least AED 7,000,000; 4) Hold comprehensive, valid health insurance for all family members included in the application, a universal requirement.