Published on: 26th June, 2022
Updated on: October 2026
What has changed since 2022 (updated October 2026)
I wrote this in 2022, and the rules have moved since. Everything below is taken from the ICP Golden Residency page and its specialised talents service page. The walkthrough further down is what I did in 2022, so treat its service names and fees as a historical record, not a current price list.
- Validity: 10 years, renewed automatically, with no sponsor needed. Applicants outside the UAE get a six-month multiple-entry visa (renewable for another six months) to finish the process.
- The salaried route: ICP lists "Specialised Professionals" under Scientists and Specialists. You need a valid work permit under an approved employment contract, at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent, a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 (or the foreign-currency equivalent) and valid health insurance. ICP refers to chairpersons and chief executives at occupational level one and specialists at level two (the MOHRE classification).
- The "talented" route I used in 2022: ICP now describes the digital technology category under Exceptional Talents. It needs approval from the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transactions. The service costs AED 300 in fees and ICP lists a 2 day processing time. Documents are your passport, a photo and the approval letter.
- Family: spouses and children (regardless of age) and parents can be sponsored.
My original 2022 write-up
Hey there!
I recently managed to change my Freelancer Visa to a Golden Visa in the category "Persons who are talented - Software Engineering".
Thought I would do a write up in case anyone is in a similar situation and would be of help, since the information is all over the place.
Again, this is strictly for my personal case, and I don't know how other categories would work.
Timeline
It took around a week or less. Major props to the government for making this hassle free.
I had to go through 5 services and I applied through Abu Dhabi, which means I have an Abu Dhabi visa. No reason for this really, I think I clicked the first option I saw under the Federal Authorities and it was AD. For Dubai, I think you can also get the process started through Amer centers, for any other emirate, Amer won't be able to help.
The steps were as follows:
| Number | Service Name | Reason | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VISA - GOLDEN RESIDENCE - NOMINATION REQUEST FOR GOLDEN RESIDENCE - NEW REQUEST | To apply for a golden visa, someone has to nominate you. Usually, this is the company that you work for, since I was on a Freelancer license, I applied myself. I had to put it an Establishment Number which I just put as my Freelancer License Number | 52.50 AED |
| 2 | VISA - GOLDEN RESIDENCE - PERSONS WHO ARE TALENTED - ISSUE NEW VISA | Once your nomination request is successful, then you can go on to issue a new VISA for yourself. This should also be approved, as the request was successful. You will have to cancel your old visa, otherwise this won't be approved. Once approve, you will get an Entry Permit | 305.52 AED |
| 3 | RESIDENCY - ALL RESIDENCE TYPES - CHANGE STATUS - CHANGE STATUS | Next, you have to apply for the Change Status service. | 558.93 AED |
| 4 | RESIDENCY - GOLDEN RESIDENCY (10 YEARS) - PERSONS WHO ARE TALENTED - ISSUE RESIDENCE | Once you are approved for Changing your status, you can then apply for the Residency Permit. You will also have to get a Medical Test done at one of the MOHRE / DHA health centers. | AED 1,217.80 + AED 345 (medical) |
| 5 | EMIRATES ID SERVICES-EMIRATES ID FOR RESIDENT-EMIRATES ID FOR RESIDENT-RENEW EMIRATES ID | Once your residency is approved, you will then have to apply for the Renewal of your EID, since you already had one before (assuming you are a UAE resident). | AED 1054.20 |
The documents that I submitted for the various services in no particular order:
- Old EID Front / Back
- Attested Degree (I graduated from a UAE university and got it attested from Ministry of Education)
- Letter from Employer stating your position
- Previous month's bank statement
- Father's Passport copy
- Tenancy Contract
- Passport Photo
- Medical Certificate