Salary requirement for Golden Visas of skilled professionals; surge in demand for the long-term residency

The demand for the long-term residency has shot up ever since the UAE decreased the salary requirement for Golden Visas for skilled professionals. Arabian Business Centre (Amer Centre – Sheikh Zayed Road) in Dubai has been issuing about 30-40 Golden Visas daily since the scheme was expanded back in October. As part of the expanded Golden Visa scheme, more skilled professionals can get the long-term residency, with the minimum monthly salary requirement dropping from Dh50,000 to Dh30,000. Disciplines include medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences.

The applicants should have a valid employment contract in the UAE, and be classified in the first or second occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation system. The minimum educational level is a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Over 151,600 Golden Visas were issued in Dubai between 2019 and 2022. This is expected to go up significantly now that more categories of expatriates can get the coveted visa, according to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).