A Guide for the Nomination-Based UAE Golden Visa

The United Arab Emirates has become one of the world’s most attractive hubs for global investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking long-term residency. Since the launch of the Golden Visa framework in 2019, thousands of Indian nationals have secured 10-year residence permits through real estate and business investment.

A new addition to this framework, the nomination-based UAE Golden Visa, offers a route built around professional distinction and alignment with the UAE’s national priorities.

Understanding who it’s built for and how it fits into the broader UAE residency framework is critical if you’re considering applying.

What the Model Really Offers, and to Whom

This model is still in its pilot stage, but it suggests that residency in the UAE is not tied solely to capital deployment. It also weighs in on demonstrated professional or sectoral achievements.

At the same time, it does not replace the traditional investment-based Golden Visa that has drawn entrepreneurs and property investors to the UAE since 2019.

The nomination-based model is a merit-based route, not a transactional one. The AED 100,000 figure is not an access pass. What gets you a UAE Golden Visa nomination is reputation, contribution, and alignment with the UAE’s national priorities.

This is not being managed by offshore consultants or foreign agencies. All applications, regardless of route, will go through the UAE’s official channels. No entity outside the country has the legal authority to promise or process Golden Visas.

Who Qualifies for Nomination?

The nomination-based route is fundamentally different from the real estate or entrepreneurship categories. It’s not about how much capital you can deploy, but rather the weight of your professional influence and track record.

This is designed for individuals who have created meaningful value in their field. It may include founders of high-growth companies, senior executives at global firms, scientists with patents or published research, educators in leadership roles, and creators who have built digital platforms with measurable impact.

You won’t find a rigid checklist, but three filters are clear:

Professional Distinction: Recognition in addition to tenure – awards, board positions, publications, and exits.

Public Footprint: Media visibility, social relevance, and digital presence do factor into assessment.

Sectoral Alignment: The UAE has made its priorities known – technology, healthcare, clean energy, education, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, and maritime. Nominees who sit at the intersection of these priorities and demonstrate performance are more likely to be shortlisted.

The Due Diligence Layer

As with all residency pathways offered by the UAE, there’s a stringent screening process built into this model. Applicants are assessed across multiple dimensions:

AML and Criminal Checks: This is expected and non-negotiable.

Financial Integrity: Clean tax records, visible sources of wealth, and a stable financial history carry weight.

Digital Audit: Your digital footprint, including media mentions, social media presence, and public affiliations, will be reviewed. 

The UAE is not courting volume here. It’s vetting for credibility, long-term value, and reputation resilience.

How This Differs From Traditional Residency Models

Most people still associate Golden Visas for the UAE with real estate. Buy a property, lock in AED 2 million (roughly ₹4.6 crore), and gain a decade-long residence. That model remains, and it works well for asset-heavy applicants.

There’s also no secondary market here. Nomination is non-transferable. You cannot acquire it through a partner, a syndicate, or an advisor. Every nomination is personal and scrutinized accordingly.

The Bigger Picture: Merit-Led Mobility

What we’re seeing is part of a broader global shift. Capital is mobile, but contribution is sticky. The UAE is among the first to formalize this shift into a structured program.

For the high-net-worth individuals, this raises an important strategic consideration: if you’re looking at residency not just as a fallback, but as a platform to operate globally, merit-based pathways like this could be more aligned with your long-term interests than traditional asset-based routes.

Who you are professionally often matters as much as what you invest. This is shaping how the nomination-based residency in the UAE is awarded.

If you’re evaluating strategic options for long-term residency in the UAE, partner with Xiffin for UAE Golden Visa residency solutions.