No permanent residency, but long-term visas
Golden Visa: 10 years, renewable
Green Visa: 5 years (entrepreneurs, skilled talent)
Pathways: investment, employment, talent, retirement
Renewal = keeping the original criteria in place
Settling in Dubai for the long term is attracting many French-speaking investors and professionals. This destination offers economic stability and a favorable tax environment, but living there requires obtaining legal residency suited to your plans. Several paths lead to long-term residency, whether through the golden visa, entrepreneurial activity, or local employment. Each option comes with specific criteria and precise formalities that need to be mastered to maximize your chances of success.
The different options for obtaining long-term residency in Dubai
In Dubai, various types of visas open the door to a lasting move, each with its own benefits and issuing conditions. Understanding these options helps guide your approach based on your profile and your investment or career goals.
The golden visa is the most popular route to long-term residency. Entrepreneurs, meanwhile, can obtain residency by setting up a business. Employees also have a specific path through the employment residence visa.
Residency through real estate investment
Buying property in Dubai is one of the preferred ways to obtain residency. To be eligible, you need to invest in a property worth at least a minimum value set by the authorities. This scheme appeals to buyers wanting to settle down while building up their real estate assets.
By choosing a high-end project such as AUREL1A Residence, made up of studios and 1-, 2- and 3.5-bedroom apartments, buyers get contemporary architecture and access to a wide range of residential properties.
Obtaining residency through the golden visa
Introduced to attract capital and talent, the golden visa grants residency valid for 5 or 10 years. It mainly targets major investors, company executives and certain qualified profiles. This status offers great freedom of movement and makes it easier to extend your stay.
Buying a property or investing in real estate is often a strategic route to a long-term visa. It's also important to find out about the exact terms for buying a second home in Dubai in order to fully benefit from local tax advantages.
The employment residence visa
Obtaining a residence visa through employment requires being hired by a company based in Dubai. The employer generally handles the administrative formalities and sponsorship. This route remains essential for high-value professionals wishing to build their career in the United Arab Emirates.
This type of visa often opens the door to family sponsorship, allowing the holder to invite their spouse and children to join them in the emirate.
The entrepreneur or business-creation visa
Starting a business in Dubai grants access to a residence visa suited to entrepreneurs, through registering a local or free-zone company. This route appeals to innovative or experienced project leaders wanting to run their business within a dynamic ecosystem.
Starting a business supports Dubai's appeal for founders and independent professionals, offering flexibility and room for professional growth.
Eligibility requirements and documents needed
Every application requires meeting strict criteria and submitting a complete file. These requirements vary depending on the type of visa, but certain points come up frequently regardless of the chosen route.
Gathering all the supporting documents and preparing the file are decisive steps for speeding up the processing of your residency application.
General and visa-specific criteria
For residency through real estate investment, a minimum investment amount is required. The amount varies, but generally ranges between AED 750,000 and AED 2 million depending on the visa category. The property must be fully owned, with any mortgage below a certain threshold.
Golden visa applicants must demonstrate their financial contribution or recognized skills in their field. Some visas require proof of employment validated by a UAE company, while the entrepreneur visa requires the legal registration of the business.
Documents needed to put together the file
Every process requires presenting a valid passport, recent passport photos, a criminal record extract and a medical exam carried out locally. The documents required vary depending on the applicant's origin and the chosen route.
Proof of investment (payment receipts, title deeds), employment contracts, business licenses or diplomas often appear on the list of documents to provide. Particular attention should be paid to having them officially translated if required.
Valid passport
Proof of income or investment
Passport-style photos (meeting local standards)
Health certificate issued after a medical examination in Dubai
Certificate of good conduct for certain profiles
Application process and administrative formalities
The residency application follows a series of mandatory steps, from booking an appointment through to receiving the visa. It's worth planning each phase carefully to limit waiting times.
The process regularly evolves due to legal reforms or economic adjustments. Getting support from a professional ensures the administrative process is followed closely.
Main steps in filing the application
You need to start by gathering all the supporting documents to fill out the official form for the visa in question. The file is then reviewed by the relevant authorities. Applicants also undergo a mandatory medical exam at an approved center.
Once accepted, biometric identification finalizes the process, followed by the visa being affixed to the passport. Processing time varies, from a few days to several weeks depending on application volume and the complexity of the case.
Family sponsorship and reunification
The visa holder can then begin family sponsorship formalities to invite their close relatives (spouse, minor children, parents) to legally reside in Dubai. This mechanism naturally requires proving financial capacity and suitable housing.
Various additional supporting documents must then be provided: civil status certificates, apostilled marriage or birth certificates, official translations and proof of adequate housing.
Duration, renewal and maintaining residency
Visa duration varies considerably depending on the basis of the application and the amount invested. Some visas granted under the golden visa scheme offer up to 10 years of security, while others must be renewed more frequently.
Renewing the visa requires continuously meeting the original criteria: keeping the property, continuing the professional activity, or maintaining compliant investments. Failing to meet these requirements risks losing residency.
Frequently asked questions about permanent residency in Dubai
What investment amounts qualify for residency through investment in Dubai?
Authorities require a variable investment threshold depending on the type of property chosen. Generally, a purchase worth at least AED 750,000 grants access to a first level of property-linked residence visa. To qualify for the golden visa through the real estate route, the minimum amount rises to AED 2 million. Only completed properties held in full ownership are eligible.
Standard visa: from AED 750,000
Golden visa: from AED 2 million invested
Is it possible to bring your family when applying for residency in Dubai?
Yes, family sponsorship becomes available after obtaining a primary visa. The resident can then start the process of bringing over their spouse, school-age children and sometimes parents, subject to certain income and housing conditions. Preparing translated and certified civil documents is a key step in this process.
Spouse and minor children included automatically
Parents possible subject to financial resources
Can a temporary residence visa be converted into permanent residency in Dubai?
Yes, schemes exist for moving toward a form of long-term residency (the golden visa, for example) if the holder can demonstrate a strong professional track record or significant investments. This involves completing a new application meeting the stricter requirements linked to long-term stay or economic contribution.
Increasing the real estate investment
Increasing shareholding in a local business venture
What are the main administrative steps for obtaining a residence visa through business creation?
The process begins with registering the company with the relevant authority (free zone or mainland). Once the business license is obtained, the residency file is put together with all documents related to the activity, followed by the mandatory medical exam and biometric registration. Finally, the residence permit is issued and affixed to the passport.
Official company formation
Filing the entrepreneur visa application
Medical exam and biometric collection
Visa affixed to the passport
Read also:
Retiring in Dubai: 0% Tax and the 5-Year Visa
Visas for Dubai: types, requirements and how to get one
Working in Dubai: the 2025 guide
Investor visa in Dubai: requirements and process for obtaining one
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