What Is the UAE Golden Visa and How Can Business Owners Qualify for It?
Everything a business owner needs to know about the UAE's long term residency: what it is, why it matters, and the routes that open it up for founders and investors.
| 10 yrs | Residency validity |
| 0 | Sponsors needed |
| AED 2M | Main investor threshold |
| AED 1M | Entrepreneur revenue route |
The UAE Golden Visa has become one of the most talked about benefits of doing business in the Emirates. For founders who have completed a business setup in UAE and built something real, it offers stability that a standard residence visa cannot match. In this explainer, the team at Ampsy Consultancy covers what the Golden Visa is and the specific routes available to business owners.
What Is the Golden Visa?
According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Golden Residency allows eligible people to live, work, study and invest in the UAE without needing a sponsor. It is described as valid for ten years, and it is open to several groups of people who contribute to the country's growth.
- Investors
- Entrepreneurs
- Scientists and specialists
- Exceptional talents
- Outstanding students
- Humanitarian pioneers
- First line of defence
For business owners, the two categories that matter most are investors and entrepreneurs, highlighted above.
Why Business Owners Want It
- No sponsor needed
Your residency is no longer tied to an employer or a single company visa. - Long validity
Ten years of residency means far fewer renewals and more certainty. - Family included
ICP states that spouses and children can be sponsored regardless of age, as can parents. - Freedom to travel
Long term residency gives far more flexibility for owners who spend time abroad. - Domestic workers
Holders may sponsor domestic workers under the applicable UAE regulations. - Confidence for growth
Banks, partners and investors see long term residency as a sign of commitment.
How Business Owners Can Qualify
ICP sets out several routes that suit company owners. You only need to meet one:
| Route | What you need | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Company capital | A company or establishment in the UAE with capital of at least AED 2,000,000 | The capital must be fully owned by the investor and not funded by a loan |
| Shareholding | A shareholding worth at least AED 2,000,000 | Applies to partners as well as sole owners |
| Federal taxes | A company paying at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes | A strong route for profitable, established businesses |
| Entrepreneur | Owning or partnering in a UAE registered SME in an approved field with annual revenue of at least AED 1,000,000 | Business ideas need approval from an accredited incubator, the Ministry of Economy or a relevant authority |
| Serial founder | Founded previously sold ventures with a total value of at least AED 7,000,000 | Recognises founders with a track record of successful exits |
ICP also lists routes through public investment deposits and real estate worth at least AED 2,000,000. For all investor and entrepreneur routes, valid health insurance is required for the holder and family members.
Golden Visas Are Growing Fast
Families are a big part of the story. Khaleej Times reported in May 2026 that GDRFA Dubai had issued more than 167,000 Golden residencies to the families of specialised talents since 2021, including 37,022 for the families of investors and 100,286 for the families of real estate investors. The numbers show how many households now see the UAE as a long term home.
Could You Qualify? Try This Quick Check
QUICK SELF CHECK
| Does your share in a UAE company have a value of at least AED 2 million? | ▢ Yes ▢ No |
| Does your company pay at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes? | ▢ Yes ▢ No |
| Does your SME in an approved field earn at least AED 1 million a year? | ▢ Yes ▢ No |
| Have you previously founded and sold ventures worth at least AED 7 million? | ▢ Yes ▢ No |
| Are your company accounts audited and up to date? | ▢ Yes ▢ No |
If you ticked yes to any of the first four questions, you may already have a qualifying route. Speak to experienced business consultants to confirm.
Applying From Abroad
If you are outside the UAE, ICP states that eligible applicants receive a six month multiple entry visa, renewable for a further six months, to complete the Golden Residency process. This makes it practical for international owners to complete their business setup in Dubai and their residency application on the same journey.
AMPSY CONSULTANCY
From business setup to Golden Visa, one team at every step.
Ampsy Consultancy LLC provides end to end business setup, support and advisory services across the UAE. With more than 4,000 companies set up, mainland licensing across all seven emirates, access to over 20 free zones and a 4.8 star Google rating, our team handles company formation, Golden Visa assistance, investor and family visas, PRO services, corporate bank accounts, and tax and accounting compliance. Business setup packages start from AED 4,999 with fixed, 100 percent transparent pricing.
Check your eligibility: talk to our business setup consultants in UAE on +971 4 3524243, WhatsApp +971 58 2520100 or info@ampsyconsultancy.ae.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new business setup in UAE qualify for a Golden Visa?
Yes, if it meets one of the routes, for example capital or a shareholding of at least AED 2 million. Many owners qualify later as revenue or tax contributions grow. Business setup consultants in UAE can tell you which route fits your business setup in UAE today.
Do I need a sponsor for a Golden Visa after my business setup in Dubai?
No. ICP states that the Golden Residency lets holders live, work, study and invest without a sponsor. After your business setup in Dubai, your residency is no longer tied to an employer or a standard company visa.
How do business consultants help with the Golden Visa?
Experienced business consultants check your eligibility, organise audited accounts, tax letters and approvals, submit the application and arrange family visas, so your business setup and your long term residency move forward together.
Sources
- ICP: UAE Golden Residency Guide
- Khaleej Times, 15 May 2026: Over 160,000 Golden Visas issued to families in Dubai, authority says
Disclaimer: Golden Visa categories, criteria and benefits are set by ICP and other UAE authorities and can change. Figures reflect the official ICP guide as of November 2026. This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice.