UAE · Golden Visa
UAE Golden Visa for Indians: what is real, and what was never offered
In July 2025 a 'lifetime golden visa for Indians' went viral. It did not exist. The real ten-year visa does, and it is more useful than the rumour.
Updated 2026-10-12 · about 7 minutes · Written against published government criteria
The short answer on the ₹23 lakh claim
In July 2025, reports circulated in India that Indians could get a 'lifetime' UAE golden visa through a nomination route for a fee of about AED 100,000 (roughly ₹23 lakh), without buying property or investing in a business.
UAE authorities said those reports were inaccurate, and that golden visa applications are handled only through official government channels — not through consultants offering special routes. Any firm still selling a nomination-based or lifetime golden visa is selling something the UAE has said does not exist.
If anyone offers you a UAE golden visa 'by nomination' or 'for life', stop there and ask them which government page sets out that route.
What the UAE Golden Visa actually is
It is a ten-year, renewable UAE residence permit that lets you live in any of the seven emirates. It is residence, not citizenship — your Indian citizenship and passport are untouched.
Family can be sponsored for the full term of the permit — spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters and children with special needs — and there is no minimum-stay rule: the residence is not lost because you spend long periods outside the UAE.
The real routes
The route that fits depends on what you already have: capital, a UAE salary, a business or a recognised talent. These are the categories as set out on our UAE programme pages.
| Property | AED 2,000,000 or more, across one or more properties; a mortgage is allowed with the bank's no-objection letter |
|---|---|
| Public investment | AED 2,000,000 as a deposit, company capital or partnership share, or annual tax of AED 250,000 |
| Skilled professionals | From AED 30,000 a month in salary |
| Talented persons | Culture, art, innovation, sport and digital technology — qualified on achievement, no salary threshold |
| Outstanding students | Set academic results; a one-time, non-renewable permit |
| Entrepreneurs | A separate category for founders of qualifying businesses |
Funding the property route from India
AED 2,000,000 is about USD 545,000 at the dirham's fixed peg to the US dollar. Under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme each resident individual can send up to USD 250,000 per financial year, so the full amount is more than two people's yearly limit.
For buying property abroad, relatives can combine their LRS limits if each of them is resident in India and complies with the scheme. In practice Indian buyers combine family limits, spread the purchase across financial years, use a UAE mortgage where the property qualifies, or a mix of all three.
Off-plan property qualifies federally when it is from a developer approved by the competent local authority, but in Dubai the Land Department requires a registered title deed in practice. Check the title position before you treat a purchase as visa-qualifying.
Who it suits
Families who want a second base with no income tax on salaries, close to India, while keeping their Indian passport. Business owners who want a UAE foothold. Professionals already earning AED 30,000 a month in the UAE who want residence that does not depend on their employer.
It is not a route to UAE citizenship, and it is not a European residence. If Schengen access is the goal, look at the European programmes instead.
For your own case
Route Report
Which UAE category fits you — property, investment, salary or talent — what it costs in total, and a remittance plan from India that works under LRS.
Common questions
Is there a lifetime UAE golden visa for Indians for ₹23 lakh?
No. In July 2025 UAE authorities said reports of a lifetime, nomination-based golden visa for about AED 100,000 were inaccurate, and that applications are handled only through official government channels. The real golden visa is a ten-year renewable residence permit.
How much do I need to invest for a UAE golden visa?
For the property route, AED 2,000,000 in one or more properties. The public-investment route also starts at AED 2,000,000. Professionals can qualify on a salary from AED 30,000 a month instead, and talented persons qualify on achievement with no investment.
Do I lose my Indian citizenship with a UAE golden visa?
No. It is a residence permit, not citizenship. Your Indian citizenship and passport are unaffected.
How do I send AED 2 million from India for the property?
Under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, up to USD 250,000 per resident individual per financial year. Relatives can combine limits to buy property abroad if each complies with the scheme. Most buyers combine family limits, spread the remittance across financial years, use a UAE mortgage, or a mix.
Do I have to live in the UAE to keep the golden visa?
No. There is no minimum-stay requirement — the residence is not lost because of long periods outside the UAE.
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Written against government-published criteria as at 2026-10-12. Immigration rules change without notice — always confirm current requirements on the destination government’s own site. XIPHIAS provides immigration consulting and documentation support; it is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice. Canadian representation is provided under CICC licence R516194.