Goa, July 7 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a revamped Golden Visa program that significantly broadens access to long-term residency. Unlike the earlier investment-focused scheme, the new initiative-launched as a pilot with India and Bangladesh-offers lifetime residency through a one-time payment of AED 100,000 (approximately Rs.23.3 lakh), without requiring any real estate or business investment.

The nomination-based Golden Visa is now open to a wide range of professionals, beyond just investors and entrepreneurs. Eligible applicants include:

Applicants must pass strict background checks, including anti-money laundering (AML) and criminal record screenings. Their contributions to key UAE sectors-such as culture, scienc...