🗓 Launched: July 2025 (Pilot Phase)
📍 Available For:
Residents of India and Bangladesh (Pilot phase)
Later to expand to China and other CEPA countries
💰 Cost:
AED 100,000 (≈ ₹23.3 lakh)
No need for property/business investment
🎫 What is it?
A lifetime residency visa that bypasses traditional visa rules like job offer, investment, or property purchase.
🆕 How is it Different from Previous Golden Visas?
Feature Previous Scheme Nomination-Based Scheme
Validity 5 to 10 years Lifetime
Investment requirement AED 2 million+ in assets Not required
Sponsor requirement No No
Eligibility Investors, talents Open to general applicants
Application method Apply directly Through Rayad Group via OneVASCO centres in India & Bangladesh
📄 Background Checks Include:
Criminal record
AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks
Social media activity
Evaluation of potential contribution to UAE in areas like culture, trade, finance, start-ups, science, etc.
👨👩👧👦 Benefits for Visa Holders:
Can bring family members
Permission to employ domestic staff
Freedom to start business or work in any profession
🤝 Strategic Importance:
Part of India-UAE strengthening ties post CEPA Agreement (May 2022)
Reflects UAE’s push for economic collaboration and talent attraction from key partner countries
⚠️ Global Perspective & Concerns
While such programs offer opportunities, global experts (including EU reports) have raised concerns about:
Security risks
Money laundering
Misuse by fugitives (e.g., Mehul Choksi in Antigua, Nirav Modi in the UK)
Some countries (UK, Greece, Ireland) have curtailed or scrapped similar visa schemes due to rising housing prices and misuse by foreign investors.
📌 Bottom Line
The nomination-based UAE Golden Visa is a groundbreaking move, offering lifetime residency without massive investments — targeting professionals, business minds, and upper-middle-class individuals from India and Bangladesh.
If successful, it could reshape global immigration trends — but will need strict oversight to prevent misuse.
