What is the UAE Golden Visa and how long is it valid?

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term renewable residence permit that lets eligible foreign nationals live, work, and study in the UAE without a national sponsor. It is issued for an extended fixed term (commonly five or ten years depending on the category) and renews on expiry as long as you continue to meet the eligibility conditions. Unlike a standard employment residence, it is not tied to a single employer, so changing or leaving a job does not automatically cancel it. The framework is administered federally by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), with Dubai applications also handled through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Eligibility runs across several streams: investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talents, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, and certain humanitarian and frontline categories. To confirm the exact validity term for your category and the current conditions, check the official Golden Visa pages on u.ae and ICP, or compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI who can assess which stream fits your profile.