Lifetime Golden Visa For Indians At Rs 23 Lakh? UAE Government Issues Clarification
A long-term UAE Golden Visa exists, but it's not lifetime, there's no standard Rs 23 lakh fee, and not everyone qualifies
Over the past few days, a number of media reports and social media posts have claimed that the United Arab Emirates has introduced a new Golden Visa route offering lifetime residency in exchange for a one-time payment of Rs 23 lakh (approx. AED 100,000). Many of these claims specifically referenced Indian applicants, with consultancies advertising fast-track or guaranteed approvals under this supposed simplified process.
The UAE government has now stepped in to set the record straight. In a public statement issued on July 8, 2025, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) categorically denied the existence of any such 'lifetime visa" scheme. The ICP stated that the rules and categories under the Golden Visa programme are clearly defined under UAE laws and ministerial decisions, and that no new flat-fee or lifetime visa programme has been launched.
The Golden Visa, introduced in 2019, is a long-term residency permit that allows foreign nationals to live, work and study in the UAE without the need for a local sponsor. It is typically valid for 5 or 10 years and is renewable, provided the individual continues to meet eligibility requirements. Visa holders can also sponsor their family members and domestic staff.
Eligibility categories include real estate investors, entrepreneurs, specialised professionals (such as doctors, engineers, scientists, and educators), exceptional students, and creative talent. For example, investors are required to hold real estate assets worth at least AED 2 million, while professionals must meet certain salary, qualification, and employment benchmarks. These rules are published on the official ICP and GDRFA websites.
Business Standard. The release claimed that Indian and Bangladeshi applicants could apply for a nomination-based Golden Visa without investing in property or business, and named VFS Global as a processing partner, a claim that VFS Global has since publicly denied.
Some consultancies have been promoting this as a fixed-fee, fast-track option for Indian professionals and entrepreneurs.
However, as the Financial Express and Economic Times have clarified through immigration experts, this is not a pay-to-get model. According to Financial Express, the AED 100,000 figure refers to post-nomination administrative and facilitation costs, and applies only if the applicant is selected under a merit-based nomination route. This route may favour professionals with achievements in fields like digital content, science, finance, or entrepreneurship — but even then, approval is not guaranteed.
Experts quoted across multiple outlets explained that nomination-based pathways have long existed within the UAE Golden Visa framework. What has changed is their greater visibility, especially to Indian applicants, through more defined parameters like salary levels and documented achievements. That said, no official UAE government circular has announced a new category priced at Rs 23 lakh.
The process typically involves nomination by a recognised UAE government or semi-government body, followed by background checks and assessment of the applicant's potential economic or professional contribution to the country. The UAE authority then determines whether to grant the visa, and approval is not automatic.
What The UAE Government Has Said — Clearly And Publicly
UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) denies rumours about lifetime Golden Visa for certain nationalities pic.twitter.com/mRCriC9oe9 — ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025
In its official clarification dated July 8, the ICP made the following points:
It denied the accuracy of rumours circulated by some media outlets and websites regarding the United Arab Emirates granting lifetime Golden Visas to certain nationalities.
The visa categories, conditions, and rules are based on UAE laws and ministerial decisions and are available on the ICP's official website and smart application.
All Golden Visa applications must be processed through official government channels within the UAE. No external or consultancy-based submission system is recognised.
The authority noted that it had observed news articles suggesting Golden Visas could be obtained from outside the UAE under simplified conditions. These, it said, 'have no legal basis" and were made 'without coordination with the relevant authorities in the UAE."
The ICP reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent digital application process and warned that legal action will be taken against entities spreading misleading information and collecting money under false pretences.
Applicants were advised to avoid paying fees or submitting documents to unofficial parties and to verify procedures only via official sources or by calling 600522222, available 24/7.
So, What's The Bottom Line?
Yes, the UAE Golden Visa programme is real. It continues to offer long-term residency to a wide range of qualified applicants, including Indian nationals. However, there is no official AED 100,000 (Rs 23 lakh) flat-fee 'lifetime visa" on offer.
While nomination-based routes may provide access to the Golden Visa without real estate or business investment, they are:
Any suggestion that a lifetime visa can simply be bought for Rs 23 lakh is inaccurate. The UAE government has explicitly denied this, and applicants are urged to exercise caution and deal only with official platforms.
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July 09, 2025, 13:45 IST
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