What are the main requirements for a Dubai Golden Visa?

There is no single Dubai-specific Golden Visa; Dubai issues the federal UAE Golden Visa, so requirements depend entirely on the category you apply under. Broadly, qualifying routes include public or real-estate investors, entrepreneurs and business owners, specialised talents and professionals in fields such as science, medicine, engineering and the arts, outstanding students and high-achieving university graduates, and certain humanitarian and frontline contributors. Each stream has its own evidence: investors typically prove a qualifying investment or property, professionals usually need accredited qualifications, a valid UAE employment or practice status and, for many roles, a minimum salary and a relevant occupational classification, while students and graduates need academic distinction documented by their institution. In Dubai, applications are processed through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) under the federal ICP framework. Because thresholds and accepted documents change, verify the current criteria for your category directly on u.ae or with GDRFA Dubai. You can also compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to confirm which category gives you the strongest application.