Fake Dubai Golden Visa Programs Exposed!
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The words “Golden Visa” carry a certain magic — a long-term residency, tax advantages, access to a growing global hub like Dubai, and the opportunity to build wealth while living in one of the safest, most business-friendly places on Earth.
But with all that allure, it’s no surprise that scammers and opportunists are trying to cash in on the hype.
Today, we’re exposing two so-called “Golden Visa programs” that have been circulating the internet, news platforms, and crypto circles. These stories blew up fast, but few people took the time to verify the facts. As a result, hundreds — maybe even thousands — were misled.
So let’s set the record straight.
The Two Fake Golden Visa Programs Making Headlines
1. The “Golden Visa for Indians and Bangladeshis with a 23 Lakh Investment”
Earlier this year, a story broke out across South Asian news outlets claiming that Indian and Bangladeshi nationals could now get a UAE Golden Visa by investing just ₹2.3 million (around AED 100,000 or USD 27,000).
Sounds amazing, right?
But here’s the problem: It’s completely false.
There is no such visa route exclusively for Indian or Bangladeshi citizens. The UAE Golden Visa is available to all nationalities — whether you’re Canadian, Indian, British, Nigerian, Russian, Bangladeshi, or anything else.
There is no preferential route based solely on nationality, nor is there a discounted “entry fee” for a specific group. UAE immigration policy simply does not work like that.
Fact check: Anyone, regardless of country of origin, must meet the same published requirements for the UAE Golden Visa — whether through real estate, investment, entrepreneurship, or exceptional talent.
2. The “$100,000 Crypto Investment (TON Coin) for a Golden Visa”
In crypto communities, a viral post claimed that if you invest $100,000 in TON (The Open Network) and stake it for 3 years, you could receive a UAE Golden Visa — with a processing cost of around $35,000.
The logic? Stake your funds, lock them up, and get a shiny new visa that lets you live in Dubai for 10 years.
But again — this is not true. And more importantly, it’s dangerous.
Here’s why:
Let’s break it down:
TON is a cryptocurrency — and while it might be legitimate in its own right, no UAE government entity has endorsed any coin or staking mechanism as a path to residency.
The UAE has never partnered with any cryptocurrency for immigration or visa purposes.
The supposed “staking for visa” plan is not on any government website, nor is it listed on the official ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) platforms.
What this scheme really is? A clever way to get you to lock your money into a token for three years — with no guaranteed returns and no visa in sight.
Why These Programs Are Fake: The Logic Breakdown
Let’s use common sense here.
1. The UAE would never sabotage its real estate sector
Dubai’s Golden Visa is one of the primary incentives for foreign investors to purchase property in the UAE.
A huge chunk of Dubai’s real estate boom has been driven by the eligibility of property owners to get long-term visas. A 2 million AED property purchase can secure you a 10-year visa and unlock benefits like family sponsorship and business ownership.
Now ask yourself:
Why would the government create a visa route that completely bypasses this proven, thriving system — with no regulation, no safeguards, and no benefit to the national economy?
They wouldn’t. They’re not naïve. The UAE runs itself like a business, and real estate is one of its most important pillars.
2. Nationality-specific visa programs don’t exist
Every visa route in the UAE is available to everyone. There are no “shortcuts” for specific nationalities when it comes to Golden Visa eligibility.
If you’ve seen someone selling a Golden Visa program “only for Indians” or “only for Bangladeshis,” it’s likely one of two things:
A marketing gimmick to target a community
Or worse, a straight-up scam
3. Crypto-based visa routes are unregulated, unsupported, and untrusted
Let’s talk about staking.
In crypto, staking means locking up your tokens to earn yield or support network functionality. It’s not uncommon in the crypto world — but tying immigration status to an unregulated financial instrument?
That’s a red flag.
Even if the staking platform is legitimate (and we’re not saying TON isn’t), the UAE government is not backing this. And if they’re not backing it, your “Golden Visa” will get rejected.
So, What’s Really Going On Behind the Scenes?
Let’s zoom out for a moment.
When schemes like these go viral, there’s always an incentive behind them.
In the case of TON and the crypto-based visa:
The goal is to boost liquidity and staking in the TON ecosystem.
By promoting a fake government tie-in, they make the offer more appealing.
Investors stake their $100,000, hoping for a Golden Visa.
But once the funds are locked, and the visa is rejected (as it will be), it’s too late.
This could lead to:
Loss of access to your funds
Massive price crashes if the project “rug pulls” or loses market confidence
No refund of your visa fees
You lose time, money, and residency opportunities — all because of false advertising.
In the case of the “23 lakh for Indians/Bangladeshis” program:
It’s likely a local agent, promoter, or middleman trying to sell services to a specific audience.
They’re banking on people not double-checking with the government.
They collect service fees or “application deposits,” then vanish.
It’s shady. It’s unethical. And it needs to stop.
What Golden Visa Programs Actually Exist?
Let’s focus on what’s real, not what’s trending on Twitter or WhatsApp.
✅ 1. Real Estate Investment (AED 2 million or more)
This is by far the most popular and safest way to secure a 10-year Golden Visa.
Purchase property worth AED 2 million+
Can be off-plan or ready property
Property must be fully paid or have 50% equity if financed
Receive 10-year renewable visa
Sponsor your family, apply for UAE tax residency, and enjoy long-term stability
✅ 2. Business Investment / Company Setup
You can also secure a Golden Visa by establishing a business or investing significantly into the UAE economy.
This applies to:
Entrepreneurs
Founders of companies generating strong revenue or employment
Business owners with a minimum investment threshold, usually AED 2 million
At GenZone, we help Canadians, Indians, Brits, and others start Free Zone companies that can later qualify for upgraded residency options, including the Golden Visa — if conditions are met.
✅ 3. Talent-Based Nominations
This is the category most misunderstood — and often abused by scammy agents.
Golden Visas can be issued to individuals with exceptional talent, including:
Scientists
Doctors
PhDs
Athletes
Celebrities
Influencers (with significant reach and credentials)
But here’s the truth:
You don’t just “buy” a Golden Visa in this category. You need to be nominated, and your nomination must be approved by relevant UAE authorities.
Even world-class academics can be rejected. We’ve seen it firsthand.
So if someone tells you “we can guarantee you a Golden Visa by nomination” just because you have a few degrees or followers… run.
The Most Dangerous Assumption: “If It’s Online, It Must Be True”
A quick tweet. A flashy YouTube video. A WhatsApp forward from a “friend of a friend.” This is how most fake Golden Visa stories spread — and why they’re so convincing.
But here’s the thing:
The UAE government is incredibly transparent. All legitimate visa programs are listed publicly. And if something is too good to be true… it probably is.
At GenZone, we’re connected directly with UAE Free Zones, government departments, and immigration authorities. When rumors like this hit the news, we go straight to the source and get real answers — fast.
How to Protect Yourself from Golden Visa Scams
✅ Verify everything: Always cross-check visa eligibility and investment routes with official government portals or trusted agencies like GenZone.
✅ Avoid promises of “guaranteed approval”: No legitimate agency can promise this without proper documentation, especially in talent-based visa categories.
✅ Never pay for “crypto staking visas”: The government does not offer any Golden Visa in exchange for locking funds in crypto.
✅ Don’t fall for nationality-based shortcuts: Golden Visas are open to all nationalities — there are no exceptions.
Final Thoughts: Trust the Process, Not the Hype
Golden Visa hype is at an all-time high — and for good reason. The UAE is one of the best places in the world to live, invest, and build a future.
But with that popularity comes misinformation.
If you’re serious about living in Dubai, getting tax residency, and protecting your wealth, do it the right way. Avoid shortcuts, scams, and hype-driven promises.
And when you’re ready to move forward?
✅ Work with GenZone – Your Trusted Golden Visa Partner
We’ve helped hundreds of individuals and entrepreneurs:
Start Free Zone companies
Invest in real estate for Golden Visa eligibility
Get clear, honest answers about every path to long-term residency
Avoid costly mistakes and time-wasting schemes
Book a free consultation today
