Under the UAE Residency by Investment Programme, commonly referred to as the Golden Visa, investors are permitted to include eligible dependents in their application, offering a comprehensive solution for families seeking long-term stability in the Emirates. The program is designed to support family reunification, granting the same residency privileges to the investor’s immediate family and, in some cases, domestic staff.

Qualifying dependents include the investor’s legally married spouse, provided they are over 18 years of age, possess valid travel documents, and a certified marriage certificate is submitted with the application. Children can also be included, with unmarried sons eligible up to the age of 25 and daughters eligible regardless of age as long as they are unmarried and financially dependent. In select cases, investors may be permitted to sponsor domestic workers, such as household staff, subject to additional regulatory approvals and financial capacity assessments.

To qualify for the UAE Golden Visa as an investor, applicants must meet specific financial criteria. The most common option is investing a minimum of AED 2 million (≈USD 545,000) in UAE real estate. Alternatively, they can invest AED 5 million in an approved public project or AED 10 million in a UAE company or bank deposit. Investments must be non-loaned and held for at least three years. In return, investors receive a 10-year renewable residency, full business ownership, and the right to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a local sponsor.