The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a pilot nomination-based golden visa programme for residents of India and Bangladesh, offering lifetime residency without the traditional requirements of business or property investment. This groundbreaking initiative allows eligible individuals to obtain a golden visa by paying AED 100,000 (approximately ₹23.3 lakh), marking a significant shift from earlier visa conditions. The move comes in the wake of strengthening bilateral ties, particularly after the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between India and the UAE in 2022.
WHAT IS THE UAE GOLDEN VISA?
The UAE’s golden visa scheme provides long-term residency for expatriates and their families without the need for a local sponsor. It allows recipients to live, work, and study in the country, with visas typically valid for 5 to 10 years. The system is aimed at attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals, thereby boosting innovation and business in the region.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Under the existing golden visa programme, the main eligible categories include:
- Investors: Must commit AED 2 million (₹4.67 crore) in real estate or business, or launch projects worth at least AED 500,000 (₹1.17 crore).
- Outstanding Talents: Includes doctors, scientists, artists, inventors, athletes, executives, and PhD holders in science and engineering, along with top-performing students.
WHAT’S NEW WITH THE NOMINATION-BASED PROGRAMME?
The new nomination-based visa model eliminates the need for significant investment and instead relies on nomination and thorough background checks, including criminal records and anti-money laundering screenings. This policy is currently available only to residents of India and Bangladesh, with plans to expand to other CEPA countries like China in the future.
Notably, applicants do not need to visit the UAE for initial approval. Instead, applications can be submitted through authorised visa concierge services such as OneVASCO centres in India and Bangladesh. Successful applicants can bring their family members, employ domestic help, and freely engage in business or professional activities.
IMPLICATIONS AND GLOBAL CONTEXT
The pilot is expected to attract over 5,000 Indian applicants initially, fostering stronger UAE-India economic cooperation and opening up legal pathways for migration. While golden visas are used globally to stimulate investment, they are also subject to scrutiny for potential misuse. Countries like the UK and Portugal have reassessed such schemes due to concerns over money laundering and geopolitical risks.
The UAE’s initiative, however, is seen as a strategic economic and diplomatic move, offering skilled individuals a secure, regulated, and welcoming environment for long-term residency.
