The UAE Golden Visa program offers long-term residency to entrepreneurs launching or scaling their businesses in the Emirates. If you’re planning to start a business or relocate to the UAE, this guide breaks down the updated 2025 criteria and application process.
At Setupros, we help expats and business owners navigate UAE’s visa, relocation, and company setup systems. Contact us at [email protected] or visit www.setupros.com to get started.
✅ What Is the UAE Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs?
The Golden Visa is a 5-year renewable residency offered to qualifying business founders and investors. It allows the holder to live, work, and sponsor their family without a national sponsor.
🧾 Who Can Apply in 2025?
To qualify as an entrepreneur, you must meet at least one of the following:
- Own or co-own a UAE-based startup registered as an SME
- Have a project or business valued at AED 500,000 or more, verified by a UAE auditor
- Gain approval from a recognized business incubator, such as Hub71 or Area 2071
- Have a startup with annual revenue over AED 1 million
- Previously founded and sold a company for over AED 7 million
📋 Required Documents
- Passport (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE business license or trade license
- Project valuation report from UAE auditor
- Proof of previous company sale (if applicable)
- Certificate from incubator (if using this path)
- Emirates ID (if already residing in UAE)
- UAE health insurance policy
- Clean criminal record certificate
📌 Application Steps
- Choose eligibility path (valuation, revenue, or incubator)
- Apply for nomination through an incubator or the ICP portal
- Submit documents, undergo medical exam, and pay fees
- Await approval and issuance of your 5-year Golden Visa
We help streamline the full process—start your UAE journey with Setupros. Contact [email protected] to begin.
🎁 Benefits of the Entrepreneur Golden Visa
- 5-year renewable residency
- Full ownership of your business
- Sponsor your spouse, children, and domestic staff
- Access to banking, leasing, and property ownership
- No need for a UAE national sponsor
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a non-verified project valuation
- Using loan-funded capital for business investment
- Skipping health insurance or residency prerequisites
- Applying without proper incubator endorsement (if applicable)
🛠️ How Setupros Can Help
At Setupros, we specialize in:
- Business registration and licensing in all UAE free zones and mainland
- Golden Visa application support
- Health insurance facilitation and residency formalities
- Local compliance and document preparation
Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling operations, our team ensures every legal, tax, and immigration detail is handled professionally.