All The Ways To Get The Dubai Golden Visa (2025)
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Welcome to GenZone, where we simplify Dubai residency, business setup, and investments for global citizens like you. If you’ve been thinking about getting a Golden Visa, chances are you’ve been bombarded with conflicting information online. We hear it all the time—people saying, “I bought a property for 2 million dirhams. My agent said I qualify,” only to realize later that they do not.
We are not just here to talk theory. At GenZone, we have successfully helped hundreds of individuals, families, and companies secure their Golden Visas. One of our clients had over 80 employees under their company who now hold Golden Visas—all processed by us. So when we say we know what we are doing, we mean it.
This guide is your no-nonsense walkthrough on how to get a Golden Visa in Dubai, the most efficient routes, the pros and cons of each method, how much it costs, and why choosing the right path is more important than ever in 2025.
What Is a Golden Visa and Why Should You Care?
Dubai’s Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that allows foreigners to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor. You also retain 100% ownership of your business and can sponsor your spouse, children, and even parents.
This visa can last 5 or 10 years and is renewable. It’s ideal for investors, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and property buyers who want to establish deep roots in Dubai.
The Most Common Mistake: Listening to the Wrong Advice
We have had clients who thought they were eligible for a Golden Visa after buying a property, only to discover the agent misled them. Why? Because most agents only care about the sale, not your long-term residency status.
At GenZone, we provide a full-service solution: from company formation and property purchase to visa processing and rental support. That means when we recommend something, we stay accountable. We only benefit when your visa gets approved and your property starts yielding rental returns.
Let’s Break Down Every Way You Can Get a Golden Visa in Dubai (And Which Ones You Should Avoid)
1. The Bank Investment Route
What it is: Deposit at least 2 million dirhams in a UAE bank and lock it into an approved investment product.
Why we do not recommend it:
Your money gets locked for the duration of the visa.
You lose access to your funds unless you cancel your Golden Visa.
Returns are significantly lower than other investment options like the S&P 500.
Most people who inquire about this option eventually drop it.
Verdict: It’s legal but not practical. We have not had a single client go through with this option, and we don’t recommend it.
2. Employment-Based Golden Visa
What it is: You are eligible if you’ve worked in the UAE for at least 2 years and earned a minimum of 30,000 dirhams monthly during the last 6 months.
Additional Conditions:
Your company should be established and of a certain scale.
You must be in a skilled profession approved under the Golden Visa category (doctors, engineers, executives, etc.).
Who it’s for: Long-term employees of major companies.
Verdict: Legit but limited. This is not the most flexible route, especially for entrepreneurs and investors.
3. Golden Visa by Nomination
What it is: A rare path where you’re nominated for your contributions to the UAE economy—such as building a school, investing 20 million dirhams into a business, or owning a well-known company.
Why it’s tricky:
It’s not predictable or guaranteed.
It is highly competitive and selective.
Requires government-level approval.
Verdict: Best suited for ultra-high net-worth individuals or established entrepreneurs. Not a beginner-friendly path.
4. Buying Real Estate: The Smartest and Most Popular Way
Here’s the best part. You do not need to pay the full 2 million dirhams upfront. You can buy a ready or off-plan property and still qualify for the Golden Visa. Let us explain.
Option A: Buying a Ready Property
Property value must be 2 million dirhams or more.
Pay at least 20% down payment.
Get a mortgage for the rest if needed.
You qualify for the Golden Visa once your name is on the title deed and your investment meets the criteria.
Example:
Property Price: 2 million dirhams
Down Payment: 20% = 400,000 dirhams
Mortgage: 1.6 million dirhams (optional)
Why it’s great:
You start earning rental income immediately.
You can qualify even with partial upfront investment.
Stable long-term asset appreciation.
Option B: Buying Off-Plan Property (Even Better in Many Cases)
Yes, you can get a Golden Visa even if the property is under construction. All you need is to:
Choose a qualifying off-plan property.
Pay 20% down payment + 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) fee.
Obtain a pre-title deed (OQOOD).
Apply for the Golden Visa based on this.
Example:
Property Value: 2.2 million dirhams
Total Paid Upfront: ~130,000 dollars (covers 20% + DLD fees)
Why it’s brilliant:
You do not lock the entire 2 million dirhams at once.
Many developers offer flexible payment plans (1% per month).
Property value often appreciates before handover.
We recently helped 15 clients get their Golden Visas this way. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and yields great returns.
Step by Step: How to Get Your Golden Visa with Real Estate
Choose a qualifying property (either ready or off-plan)
Pay the initial deposit (20%) and 4% DLD fee
Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA)
Obtain the OQOOD (pre-title deed)
Submit the following documents:
Passport copy
Emirates ID photo
OQOOD
Wait 30 to 60 days for approval
Golden Visa Issued: Valid for 10 years and renewable
Key Rules You Need to Know Before Applying
You must individually own property worth 2 million dirhams or more.
If you co-own a property with your spouse, the value is split and still qualifies (with proof of marriage).
If you co-own property with someone who is not your spouse, your share must independently be 2 million or more.
Two applicants cannot share one property for two separate Golden Visas unless both have at least 2 million dirhams each invested.
Only main applicants can sponsor their parents. So plan who applies if that is important for your family.
Where Should You Invest?
We have helped clients invest in:
Dubai Islands
Dubai South
Dubai Maritime City
Dubai Hills Estate
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
Palm Jebel Ali
Sobha Hartland 2
Dubailand and Dubailand Residences
Recently, we have seen a big shift in demand from apartments to villas and townhouses. Families are seeking more space, and these properties have shown stronger capital appreciation.
Why Work with GenZone?
Unlike many agents who sell you a property and disappear, we offer end-to-end services:
Golden Visa application
Property selection
Purchase assistance
Document handling
Mortgage facilitation
Rental management
Business setup and licensing
Family sponsorship and relocation
We handle everything in-house so that you do not waste time running around between agencies. Our team is made up of real estate professionals, immigration experts, and consultants who have helped hundreds of clients—just like you—relocate, invest, and thrive in Dubai.
Final Thoughts: Should You Go for the Golden Visa?
If you plan to live in Dubai long-term, want to enjoy full business and property ownership, and secure a solid investment for your future, the answer is yes.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, working professional, or simply planning to relocate with your family, the Golden Visa is your gateway to true freedom in the UAE.
But getting it done right is the key. This is where most people mess up.
At GenZone, we are not here to guess. We are here to get it done. And we have the results to prove it.
