Live in Dubai, pay no income tax: What Indians should know about the UAE Golden Visa
By Suchitra Mandal, ET Online |
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UAE Golden Visa for Indians: Live, earn, and invest tax-free
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit that lets you live, work, and do business in the UAE without an employer sponsoring you. It offers freedom from employer sponsorship, and zero personal income tax. Many Indians value the UAE as a long-term base without being forced to relocate full-time.
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Why Indians love the UAE Golden Visa
* Long-term residency
* Family sponsorship
* Freedom from employer sponsorship
* Ease of doing business
* Global mobility
* Tax-efficient regime
* Family sponsorship
* Freedom from employer sponsorship
* Ease of doing business
* Global mobility
* Tax-efficient regime
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Who qualifies for a UAE Golden Visa?
* Investors: Real estate or business
* Highly skilled professionals & specialists
* Scientists & researchers
* Humanitarian pioneers & frontline heroes
Many value the UAE as a long-term base without being forced to relocate full-time.
* Highly skilled professionals & specialists
* Scientists & researchers
* Humanitarian pioneers & frontline heroes
Many value the UAE as a long-term base without being forced to relocate full-time.
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How much do you need to invest for UAE Golden Visa?
Real estate: Minimum AED 2 million (approx. ?4.95 crore). The property must be retained for as long as the Golden Visa is held. If sold, it must be replaced with a property of equal or higher value.
Business: AED 2 million investment or an approved company stake.
Business: AED 2 million investment or an approved company stake.
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Who can you bring as dependents through UAE Golden Visa?
* Spouse
* Sons: up to 25 years of age
* Daughters: until marriage
* Parents: subject to eligibility conditions
No fixed limit on the number of dependents.
* Sons: up to 25 years of age
* Daughters: until marriage
* Parents: subject to eligibility conditions
No fixed limit on the number of dependents.
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How to apply for UAE Golden Visa
Official portals: GDRFA or Dubai Land Department (Dubai) / TAMM (Abu Dhabi)
1. Eligibility — confirm your qualifying category
2. Application — submit via official portal
3. Medical & biometrics — complete in the UAE
4. Residency approval — visa issued after final review
Approval usually takes 5–10 days. You must visit the UAE during the application process.
1. Eligibility — confirm your qualifying category
2. Application — submit via official portal
3. Medical & biometrics — complete in the UAE
4. Residency approval — visa issued after final review
Approval usually takes 5–10 days. You must visit the UAE during the application process.
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Full cost breakdown for UAE Golden Visa
* Minimum investment: AED 2 million
* Government & processing fees: AED 10,000
* Additional family fees: AED 12,000–20,000 depending on family size
* Legal and due diligence fees: Charged per family member
Source: Orience | 1 AED = ?24.79 as on 27 Feb 2026
* Government & processing fees: AED 10,000
* Additional family fees: AED 12,000–20,000 depending on family size
* Legal and due diligence fees: Charged per family member
Source: Orience | 1 AED = ?24.79 as on 27 Feb 2026
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Key things to know before you apply for UAE Golden Visa
* No minimum residency requirement
* Residency remains valid as long as eligibility conditions are maintained
* UAE Golden Visa does not provide a direct pathway to citizenship
* UAE tax regime: Zero personal income tax
* Residency remains valid as long as eligibility conditions are maintained
* UAE Golden Visa does not provide a direct pathway to citizenship
* UAE tax regime: Zero personal income tax