UAE Golden Visa 2025: New Rules for Salaried Employees

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Overview of the UAE Golden Visa Program
• Key Changes Introduced in 2025
• Eligibility Criteria for Salaried Employees
• Updated Salary Requirements and MoHRE Classifications
• Step-by-Step Application Process
• Required Documents and Approvals
• Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa for Professionals
• Case Study: How a Salaried Professional Secured the 10-Year Visa
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Fees and Charges for 2025 Applications
• Top FAQs about UAE Golden Visa 2025
• Conclusion
• Homecubes Guidance

Introduction

The UAE Golden Visa 2025 Salaried Employees pathway has transformed into one of the most attractive long-term residency options in the region. For career-focused professionals, it offers stability, independence, and growth opportunities that were previously out of reach.

The UAE golden visa versus US green card, offers a lot of pros and cons that is something out of this article scope. The 2025 updates make eligibility criteria clearer, particularly for salaried employees in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Emirates. From new salary thresholds to updated MoHRE classifications and stricter documentation rules, these changes are designed to attract the UAE’s top talent and support its ambition to become a global hub for innovation and investment.

The program’s popularity has skyrocketed — Golden Visa issuances surged from 47,150 in 2021 to 158,000 in 2023, setting new records for residency approvals (Springfield Properties). With an increasing focus on highly skilled talent, these updates make the UAE a top destination for ambitious professionals seeking long-term stability and career growth.

UAE Golden Visa will also include UAE-based physicians as well as engineers in the fields of computer science, electronics, programming, electricity and biotechnology.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 15, 2020

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know—from eligibility and application steps to fees, case studies, mistakes to avoid, and insider tips that could improve your chances of approval.

Overview of the UAE Golden Visa Program

Introduced in 2019, the UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program allowing selected foreign nationals to live, work, and study in the Emirates without needing a local sponsor.

The program was designed to attract:

• Highly skilled professionals
• Scientists and researchers
• Investors and entrepreneurs
• Outstanding students and graduates
• Humanitarian contributors

Golden Visa holders enjoy benefits like:

• Residency for 5 or 10 years, renewable
• Ability to sponsor family members without restrictions
• Freedom to stay outside the UAE beyond six months without losing the visa
• Greater career flexibility—holders can switch jobs without employer approval

For salaried professionals, the Golden Visa has become a career-defining opportunity, unlocking financial and lifestyle security in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

For detailed program information, visit the UAE Government’s Golden Visa Portal.

Key Changes Introduced in 2025

The UAE has refined the program to focus on retaining top-tier professionals. The updates are significant, especially for salaried employees:

• Basic Salary Requirement Raised: Applicants must now earn a minimum basic salary of AED 30,000 per month, excluding housing and transport allowances (jsb.ae).
• MoHRE Occupational Levels Restricted: Only roles classified under MoHRE Level 1 (senior executives, directors, C-suite) and Level 2 (engineers, doctors, IT specialists, educators, scientists) qualify (added.gov.ae).
• Degree Attestation Mandatory: All applicants must submit an attested Bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognized institution.
• Professional Licenses Required: For regulated professions—like doctors, pharmacists, and teachers—a valid UAE practicing license is essential.
• Possible Tenure Requirement: While unofficial, many applicants report that Dubai authorities increasingly favor those with two years at the same employer and six months in a managerial role (cspzone.com).

Eligibility Criteria for Salaried Employees

To qualify under the UAE Golden Visa 2025 Salaried Employees category, you must meet all of the following:

• Minimum Basic Salary: AED 30,000 per month (no allowances included).
• Approved MoHRE Classification: Level 1 or Level 2 occupations only.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, fully attested.
• Professional Licenses: Required for regulated sectors.
• Employment History: Ideally, at least two years with the same employer.
• Clean Record: No criminal history or unresolved civil disputes.
• Medical Fitness: Passing a UAE medical screening is mandatory.

Updated Salary Requirements and MoHRE Classifications

The UAE uses the MoHRE Occupational Classification system to determine eligibility:

If you’re unsure of your MoHRE classification, you can confirm it through the MoHRE official portal.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application process involves several stages and varies slightly between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Emirates.

Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility
Confirm your job classification, ensure your basic salary is at least AED 30,000, and verify that your degree and licenses are attested.

Step 2 — Gather Required Documents
Prepare all documents in advance (see next section for full list).

Step 3 — Submit Application
Choose one of the following platforms:

• ICP Smart Services: smartservices.icp.gov.ae
• GDRFA Dubai: gdrfad.gov.ae
• TAMM Abu Dhabi: tamm.abudhabi

Step 4 — Pay Fees
Visa fees typically range between AED 2,800 to AED 4,800, depending on your location and visa category.

Step 5 — Complete Security and Medical Checks
You must pass medical screening and police clearance.

Step 6 — Receive Golden Visa
Upon approval, you’ll receive a 5- or 10-year renewable residency visa.

Required Documents and Approvals

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• UAE residence visa copy (if applicable)
• Salary certificate from employer
• Six months of bank statements
• Employment contract
• Attested degree certificate
• Professional practicing license (if required)
• Medical fitness report
• Emirates ID copy
• Police clearance certificate

Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa for Professionals

• Long-Term Residency: Stay in the UAE for up to 10 years without renewal hassles.
• Job Flexibility: Switch employers without canceling your visa.
• Family Sponsorship: Sponsor spouse, children, and domestic staff.
• Property Ownership: Invest in UAE real estate with limited funds and without restrictions.
• Travel Freedom: Stay outside the UAE for extended periods without losing residency.
• Career Growth: Enjoy access to high-demand roles in top industries.

Case Study: How a Salaried Professional Secured the 10-Year Visa

Ravi Sharma, a senior IT architect in Dubai, earned AED 28,500 basic salary in 2024, making him ineligible under the old rules. In 2025, his employer revised his package to AED 31,000 basic.

Ravi prepared:

• Attested master’s degree
• Valid MoHRE Level 2 classification
• Six months’ bank statements

He applied via the ICP Smart Services portal and received approval within 21 working days. Today, Ravi enjoys job mobility, family sponsorship, and long-term security.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Including housing or transport allowances in your salary calculation
• Applying without confirming your MoHRE classification
• Submitting degrees without attestation
• Failing to secure a valid professional license if required
• Ignoring potential two-year tenure requirements

Fees and Charges for 2025 Applications

Additional costs may apply if you’re applying for family members or require document couriering.

Top FAQs about UAE Golden Visa 2025

Does AED 30,000 gross salary qualify for UAE Golden Visa?
No—only basic net salary counts toward eligibility.

Can Level 3 jobs apply for UAE Golden Visa?
No, only Level 1 and Level 2 MoHRE roles are eligible.

Do I need to stay employed after receiving the UAE Golden Visa?
No, the visa is tied to you, not your employer.

Can I stay outside the UAE indefinitely while holding a UAE Golden Visa?
Yes, Golden Visa holders can remain abroad without risk of cancellation.

Can I sponsor my family with a UAE Golden Visa?
Yes, including spouses, children of any age, and domestic helpers.

Conclusion

The UAE Golden Visa 2025 Salaried Employees pathway offers a clearer, more merit-based framework for professionals seeking long-term residency. With updated salary thresholds, stricter MoHRE classifications, and better-defined documentation rules, it opens the door for skilled employees to enjoy career flexibility, family security, and investment opportunities in Dubai.

As Dubai continues embracing innovations like property tokenization and fractional ownership, the Golden Visa becomes even more valuable—helping professionals secure both residency stability and financial growth in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

Planning ahead and aligning your profile with the 2025 requirements is the smartest way to take advantage of this opportunity and build a sustainable future in the UAE.

Homecubes Guidance

At Homecubes, we closely follow every change affecting the UAE Golden Visa 2025 Salaried Employees program. One of Dubai’s biggest real estate shifts is property tokenization, where high-value assets are divided into digital tokens using blockchain.

This innovation makes fractional ownership possible, giving professionals a smarter, more affordable way to invest in Dubai’s property market—an approach that can complement Golden Visa strategies.

While our VARA license is still pending, we’re preparing to launch solutions that simplify tokenized property investments for Golden Visa applicants.

Contact Homecubes to stay ahead of Dubai’s evolving property landscape and upcoming tokenized investment opportunities.