Golden Visa Services for Engineers in the UAE

Engineers may qualify for the UAE Golden Visa under the specialised talent category defined in Cabinet Decision No. 56 of 2018 and subsequent regulations. To be eligible, applicants must: Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline, attested and recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education if issued abroad. Be employed in the UAE under a valid work contract in an engineering role recognised as a skilled profession by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Provide evidence of professional standing. For certain regulated engineering fields, this includes holding a valid professional licence issued by the competent authority in the UAE. Meet the financial and professional criteria applied by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) when assessing Golden Visa applications. Eligibility rules for the Golden Visa were broadened in October 2022 under the UAE’s updated residency system, which expanded long-term residency to additional categories of skilled professionals, including engineers. The framework is designed to attract and retain specialised talent that contributes to the country’s knowledge-based economy. In accordance with these rules, engineers and other skilled professionals may be eligible to apply for the Golden Visa without meeting the AED 30,000 salary threshold if they are formally nominated or endorsed by a relevant UAE authority. EGSH, as an authorised AMER Centre, assists engineers by verifying academic and employment documents, confirming MoHRE classification, and submitting the Golden Visa application through official GDRFA channels in full compliance with UAE regulations.

The UAE Golden Visa grants engineers a renewable 10-year residency permit. It is issued without the need for an employer sponsor, allows sponsorship of immediate family members, and provides the right to establish, operate, and own businesses with 100% ownership in the UAE. The visa also secures access to education and healthcare services for dependents and remains valid even if the holder stays outside the UAE for more than 180 days. EGSH facilitates the Golden Visa application for engineers and related family sponsorship through authorised government channels.

The official government fees include a residence permit fee of AED 1,100, Knowledge Dirham (AED 10), Innovation Dirham (AED 10), and an additional fee of AED 500 if the application is filed while the applicant is already inside the UAE. Delivery fees are AED 20; the issuance fee increases by AED 100 for each year beyond two years. Before submission, EGSH provides a detailed fee breakdown to ensure complete clarity on the engineer visa cost in the UAE.

A standard medical fitness test is mandatory for all UAE residency permits, including the Golden Visa for engineers. The test must be completed at an authorised medical centre in Dubai to confirm eligibility. EGSH facilitates this process in cooperation with Smart Salem, a licensed medical centre, where the examination is completed within 10–30 minutes and results are issued electronically within 30 minutes.

For certain engineering and other specialised professions in the UAE, a valid professional licence or equivalent authorisation is required. Whether this applies depends on the specific field and whether it is regulated in the Emirate where the applicant is employed. In regulated engineering disciplines — such as structural engineering, consultancy, or fields overseen by technical regulatory bodies — a licence is mandatory. In Abu Dhabi, for example, the Engineer Licensing System requires practising engineers to obtain a licence in one of the approved engineering disciplines, with qualification testing where applicable. Membership or certification from the Society of Engineers (SOE) may also be required for certain roles, particularly those linked to public projects or government contracts. For engineering roles that are not regulated, a professional licence is not required for the Golden Visa application. EGSH, as an authorised AMER Centre, reviews each applicant’s profession against UAE regulations, determines whether a licence is mandatory, and facilitates submission of the Golden Visa application through official GDRFA channels.

The processing time for an engineer’s Golden Visa application is typically 1–2 weeks, once all documents and eligibility requirements are submitted in full. In some cases, approval may be issued in as little as a few days. EGSH ensures that applications are filed correctly through authorised government channels to avoid delays.

Skilled professionals, including engineers, may apply for the UAE Golden Visa from outside the country. In such cases, the application is processed through GDRFA channels, and entry permits are issued before the residency is activated. If the applicant is already inside the UAE, an additional fee of AED 500 applies for status adjustment.