Talent · United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists

Official name: Golden Residency – Scientists and Specialists

This route offers eligible scientists, specialists and senior skilled professionals 10 years of UAE residence without a sponsor, with automatic renewal. Eligible applicants outside the UAE can obtain a six-month, multiple-entry visa to complete the residence procedures.

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Main fee
AED 100 per person
Decision
Not published yet
Last checked
Being checked

Who it's for

Is this for you?

Scientists, researchers, religious scholars, leading specialists in specified fields and skilled professionals in senior occupational levels who meet the conditions for their category.

Requirements

What you need

  • Qualify in a listed category

    The applicant must qualify under one of the listed scientists and specialised professionals categories.

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  • Health insurance

    The applicant and their family members must have comprehensive and valid health insurance coverage throughout the validity period of the residency. The scientists-and-specialists visa service also requires a valid health insurance policy within the UAE.

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  • Passport validity

    The scientists-and-specialists visa service requires a passport valid for no less than six months.

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  • Scientist or researcherSometimes needed

    Scientists and researchers must have significant achievements and high impact in their field, based on a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council.

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  • Leading scientist or religious scholarSometimes needed

    Leading scientists and religious scholars must have significant contributions and high impact, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Culture and Youth or the relevant local authorities.

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  • Industry specialistSometimes needed

    Leading specialists in industry and the Fourth Industrial Revolution must have a recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology or the relevant local authorities.

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  • Healthcare specialistSometimes needed

    Leading specialists in healthcare must have a recommendation from the Ministry of Health and Prevention or the relevant local authorities.

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  • Education specialistSometimes needed

    Leading specialists in education must have a recommendation from the Ministry of Education or the relevant local authorities.

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  • Senior skilled professionalSometimes needed

    Skilled professionals must be in senior occupational levels under the classification approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation: chairpersons and chief executives at occupational level one, or specialists at occupational level two.

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  • UAE work permit and contractSometimes needed

    For the Specialised Professionals Category, the applicant must hold a valid UAE work permit under a valid and approved employment contract.

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  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalentSometimes needed

    For the Specialised Professionals Category, the applicant must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

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  • Monthly salarySometimes needed

    For the Specialised Professionals Category, the applicant must have a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000, or its equivalent in foreign currency.

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Money and time

Fees and how long it takes

  • Scientists-and-specialists visa application feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 100 per person
  • Scientists-and-specialists visa issuance feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 100 per person
  • Scientists-and-specialists visa smart services feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 100 per person
  • Golden Residence application feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 100 per person
  • New Golden Residence issuance fee for a 10-year duration, per yearResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 100 a year
  • Golden Residence smart service feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSourceAED 100 per person

Step by step

How it works

  1. Get ready

    • Check your category

      Check which listed scientists and specialists category applies to you and its conditions.

    • Prepare your eligibility evidence

      Obtain the recommendation or prepare evidence of the occupational level, work permit, contract, degree and salary required for your category.

      You’ll need: Relevant recommendation or proof of eligibility for the selected category

    • Prepare your visa documents

      Have a passport valid for at least six months, a personal photo and valid health insurance within the UAE.

      You’ll need: Passport, Personal photo, Valid UAE health insurance policy

  2. Apply

    • Submit the visa application

      Submit the scientists-and-specialists visa application through the ICP Smart Services website or smart app.

    • Review the application

      Review the application form and correct retrieved data if needed.

    • Attach documents if needed

      Attach the required documents if data retrieval through integration fails.

      You’ll need: Passport, Personal photo

    • Pay the visa fees

      Pay the application, issuance and smart services fees listed for the visa service.

  3. Visa

    • Receive the visa

      Receive the visa issued to complete the Golden Residency procedures.

  4. Travel

    • Enter the UAE

      When you arrive

      Use the entry visa to travel to the UAE and complete the Golden Residency procedures.

      You’ll need: Entry visa, Passport

  5. Settle in

    • Apply for the residence permit

      Submit the residence permit application with a passport, personal photo and proof of eligibility for the selected Golden Residence category.

      You’ll need: Passport, Personal photo, Proof of eligibility for the selected Golden Residence category

    • Complete the residence application

      Pay the listed residence fees, follow up through the available channels and await notification of residence issuance and subsequent Emirates ID delivery.

After this

Where it leads

Ten-year renewable Golden Residency, with the ability to obtain residence permits for a spouse, children and parents.

Questions

In short

Who is the United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists for?

Scientists, researchers, religious scholars, leading specialists in specified fields and skilled professionals in senior occupational levels who meet the conditions for their category.

What do I need for the United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists?

Qualify in a listed category; Health insurance; Passport validity.

How much does the United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists cost?

Scientists-and-specialists visa application fee: AED 100 per person; Scientists-and-specialists visa issuance fee: AED 100 per person; Scientists-and-specialists visa smart services fee: AED 100 per person; Golden Residence application fee: AED 100 per person; New Golden Residence issuance fee for a 10-year duration, per year: AED 100 a year; Golden Residence smart service fee: AED 100 per person.

What can the United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists lead to?

Ten-year renewable Golden Residency, with the ability to obtain residence permits for a spouse, children and parents.

How we know

Sources

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.

United Arab Emirates

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Researched just now · being double-checked
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Researched just now · being double-checked

See if you fit the United Arab Emirates Golden Residency for scientists and specialists

Answer a few quick questions and Japper shows how you measure up, what's missing, and the steps from here.

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.