Pakistani applicants · United Arab Emirates
UAE Golden Visa for Pakistani citizens
10-year renewable residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and outstanding talent across professional categories.
This page covers the UAE Golden Visa specifically for Pakistani applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Pakistan. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 2 weeks – 4 weeks
- Government fees
- AED 5,343
- Typical duration
- 10 years, renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a United Arab Emirates consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals are set by UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The UAE Golden Visa is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Key figures for Pakistani applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
AED 360,000/yr
Golden Visa — skilled employee minimum
Verified 3 October 2022 · UAE Government Portal — Golden Visa →
Government cost
AED 5,343
Single applicant, inside UAE, with change of status
Sponsored dependants on a Golden Visa principal pay their own medical (AED 350), Emirates ID (AED 1,153 for 10 years), and around AED 1,500 in dependent-visa fees.
Verified 1 June 2026 · GDRFA Dubai — Golden Visa service →
How long it takes
2 weeks – 4 weeks
Golden Visa applications via ICP and GDRFA Dubai typically resolve in 2–4 weeks including medical and Emirates ID stages.
Verified 1 June 2026 · UAE Government Portal — Long-term residence visa (Golden Visa) →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → Golden Visa (direct for qualifying income/qualifications) → 10-year residence. Citizenship only via separate Presidential decree.
Leads to Long-term residency (Golden Visa / Blue Visa), then Emirati citizenship (by Presidential decree only).
Visa overview
The UAE Golden Visa offers 10-year self-sponsored residence to qualifying investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talent (healthcare, science, engineering, arts), outstanding students, and humanitarian pioneers. Unlike many residence visas, it does not require a UAE employer and permits multiple dependants.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Qualifying investor category — public investment fund deposit, Dubai/Abu Dhabi real estate, or business ownership.
- ✓Specialised talent category — qualifying role in medicine, science, education, engineering, or arts with nomination/accreditation.
- ✓Outstanding student category — top academic performance at UAE or recognised global university.
Common blockers
- !Property investment below qualifying thresholds (generally AED 2m for ready property).
- !Talent category without required professional recognition.
Typical evidence
- ·Property title deeds, investment statements, or employment evidence.
- ·Professional accreditation letters.
- ·Passport and medical fitness certificate.
Application pathway
Identify qualifying category
Golden Visa has multiple sub-categories with distinct criteria; choose the right one.
Apply via ICP or GDRFA
Federal ICP or Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, depending on emirate.
Medical, biometrics, Emirates ID
Standard post-approval steps.
Sponsor family
Spouse, children, and parents can be sponsored without UAE employment.
Other United Arab Emirates routes covered for Pakistani applicants
Not sure United Arab Emirates is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer investor routes that Pakistani nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Pakistani citizens eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?+
Eligibility for the UAE Golden Visa is set by UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Pakistani applicants typically file the UAE Golden Visa?+
a United Arab Emirates consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Pakistani applicants need a tourist visa for United Arab Emirates as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals are set by UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The UAE Golden Visa is a separate application from any tourist entry.
How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost for a Pakistani applicant?+
Government fees for the worked example (Single applicant, inside UAE, with change of status) total about AED 5,343. Sponsored dependants on a Golden Visa principal pay their own medical (AED 350), Emirates ID (AED 1,153 for 10 years), and around AED 1,500 in dependent-visa fees. Figures from GDRFA Dubai — Golden Visa service, verified 1 June 2026. Treat these as indicative — confirm the current schedule on the official source before budgeting.
What salary do Pakistani applicants need for the UAE Golden Visa?+
The Golden Visa — skilled employee minimum floor is AED 360,000/yr, effective 3 October 2022 (UAE Government Portal — Golden Visa). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long does the UAE Golden Visa take to process from Pakistan?+
The typical published decision window is 2 weeks – 4 weeks. Pakistani applicants usually file via a United Arab Emirates consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: UAE Government Portal — Long-term residence visa (Golden Visa), verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in United Arab Emirates?+
Arrival → Golden Visa (direct for qualifying income/qualifications) → 10-year residence. Citizenship only via separate Presidential decree. The route leads to Long-term residency (Golden Visa / Blue Visa), then Emirati citizenship (by Presidential decree only). See UAE Government Portal — Visa and Emirates ID for the qualifying-residence rules.
Does the UAE Golden Visa require me to live in the UAE?+
No. The Golden Visa does not require continuous residence to remain valid, though periodic visits are recommended. This is a material point of differentiation versus most employment residence visas.
Is UAE Golden Visa a path to citizenship?+
The UAE has historically not offered naturalisation to long-term residents. Recent reforms created a limited citizenship track, but it is highly selective and not a reliable path for Golden Visa holders to plan around.