Golden Visa for Scientists in Dubai

The Golden Visa for scientists is available to accomplished researchers and academics specialising in fields such as engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences. To be eligible, applicants must be nominated by the Emirates Scientists Council, approved by the UAE ICP and undergo final processing with the GDRFA. Applicants must also hold recognised academic qualifications and meet the scientific achievement benchmarks set by the UAE government.

Under current GDRFA / ICP regulations, an applicant in the «scientist/specialized researcher» category must hold at least a bachelor’s degree recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education. However, additional academic and research criteria must be met for full eligibility under this category. For scholars/scientists under the GDRFA «Specialized Scientists» scheme, the requirements include a valid employment contract and a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000. For the «Accomplished Scientist /Researchers» category, GDRFA requires nomination by the Emirates Scientists Council. For specific sub-categories, a Master’s or PhD from a top 500 (for PhD) or top 250 (for Master’s) university is expected. Applicants must also generally meet research impact metrics, such as a Field Weighted Citation Index (FWCI) of 1.0 or higher and an H-index of 10 or higher. There is an exemption clause: applicants with a Scopus H-index ≥ 20 or those with proven achievements in developing R&D sectors may be exempted from the stricter ranking/university requirements, subject to recommendation by the Emirates Scientists Council. All foreign degrees must undergo the UAE Ministry of Education’s equivalency/attestation process before being accepted. To check your current eligibility under GDRFA regulations, consult ESGH advisors.

Applicants must demonstrate research impact, such as a Field Weighted Citation Index (FWCI) of 1.0 or higher and an h-index of at least 10. If supported by the Emirates Scientists Council, a Scopus h-index of at least 20 may exempt applicants from other requirements.

According to the GDRFA, the base fee for the UAE Golden Visa for scientists and researchers is AED 1,100, plus a Knowledge Dirham fee of AED 10, an Innovation Dirham fee of AED 10, and an additional fee of AED 500 if the application is processed within the UAE. A delivery fee of AED 20 also applies. An additional AED 100 is charged for each extra year for visas issued for more than two years. EGSH provides clients with a clear breakdown of all applicable government fees and charges.

According to the GDRFA, the standard processing time is 48 hours, provided that all documents and approvals are in place. In practice, however, this timeframe may vary depending on the nomination and verification stages. On average, the entire process takes 1 to 2 weeks. At EGSH, a licensed AMER centre, applicants receive end-to-end support—from verifying eligibility and ensuring documents comply with academic and nomination requirements to applying to authorised GDRFA channels. This support ensures accurate filing and avoids unnecessary delays.

The Golden Visa offers long-term residency to scientists in Dubai, valid for 10 years and renewable, provided the conditions are maintained. Key benefits include exemption from employer sponsorship, the ability to sponsor spouses, children, and parents, as well as the right to establish and own businesses in the UAE. Holders are also exempt from the 180-day stay abroad rule, meaning the residence permit remains valid during extended periods of absence from the UAE.

Applications can be submitted via the official UAE ICP website, mobile app, or via the GDRFA digital channels. Applicants must log in with UAE Pass, complete the application form, upload the necessary documents and pay the government fees online. However, online submissions may be delayed or rejected if there are mistakes in the documents or if eligibility requirements are not met. EGSH assists clients by verifying Golden Visa eligibility, checking compliance of documents with UAE regulations, and submitting the application directly through authorised government channels to reduce the risk of rejection or delays.