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UAE Standardises Golden Visa to 10-Year Renewable Residency Under Updated ICP Guide

The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has standardised all Golden Visa categories to 10-year renewable, self-sponsored residency. The updated regulations remove earlier five-year limits for real estate investors and entrepreneurs while defining qualification requirements for property buyers and senior employees. Visa holders also retain benefits including extended travel outside the country and domestic worker sponsorship.

Published Source: Cosmos Immigration
Issuing authority
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Publication date
September 10, 2026
Stage
Amendment
Official document
ICP Golden Residency guide
Official source
cosmosimmigration.com
Photo: Cosmos Immigration

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has issued an updated guide standardising all Golden Visa tracks into 10-year renewable, self-sponsored residency permits, according to an operational update from Cosmos Immigration. The revision eliminates previous five-year residency limits that applied to entrepreneurs and property owners.

Under the updated rules, real estate investors must hold property valued at a minimum of AED 2 million. The ICP guide explicitly recognizes off-plan purchases made through approved developers as well as acquisitions financed via bank mortgages toward this threshold.

For skilled professionals, senior employees qualify under occupational levels 1 and 2. Applicants must maintain an active employment contract, hold a recognized bachelor's degree, and receive a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000.

Golden Residency holders are permitted to stay outside the UAE for periods exceeding six months without having their visas invalidated. In addition, the status maintains sponsorship rights for family members and domestic staff.

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