Okay, fellow dreamers, gather ’round. Imagine sipping karak in a fancy Dubai café, watching your kids zoom off to school in style, while you work remotely—or don’t work at all—because you’re officially a lifetime resident of the UAE. No property hustle. No business setup. No trade license headaches. Sounds like fiction, right? Well, pinch yourself because it’s now reality.
Welcome to the new, upgraded, no-investment-needed Golden Visa for Indians! For a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (that’s about ₹23.3 lakh for the desi wallets), you can get a forever-pass to UAE life—yes, we’re talking about real lifetime residency here. No more tying your fate to a skyscraper investment or a seven-figure business pitch. All you need is a clean record, a little bit of promise (in culture, finance, science, or just general fabulousness), and the approval of the UAE powers-that-be.
UPDATE: What Looked Golden, Turned Out a Bit Tarnished
Hold up—before you wire AED 100,000 and start packing for Dubai, there’s been a major plot twist. The much-hyped lifetime UAE Golden Visa for ₹23.3 lakh? Yeah… that’s not officially a thing.
The Rayad Group, which initially claimed to offer a nomination-based, no-investment Golden Visa for Indians, has now publicly taken responsibility for creating confusion. They clarified that no guaranteed Golden Visa exists through their program and that the AED 100,000 was simply their facilitation fee—not the actual visa cost. That stings a little, right?
UAE Govt Steps In
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) stepped in swiftly and made it crystal clear:
There is no such thing as a one-time payment Golden Visa with lifetime validity, especially not without meeting the official criteria.
So, whether you were dreaming of desert drives or beachfront brunches, the route to a Golden Visa still goes through the official UAE government pathways—which involve merit-based eligibility, like investments, entrepreneurship, specialised skills, or outstanding contributions in fields like science, culture, or sports.
So, What’s the Deal?
Unlike the old Golden Visa, which practically required you to play Monopoly with real Dubai real estate (AED 2 million minimum, anyone?), this new nomination-based visa works like an exclusive club invite. India and Bangladesh are the lucky firsts in this pilot programme, and over 5,000 Indians are expected to apply in just the first three months.
The gatekeeper to this golden opportunity? The Rayad Group, whose MD Rayad Kamal Ayub has confirmed that background checks will be thorough. Think of it as the social media stalk you didn’t know the UAE government needed—criminal record, financial history, even your meme game might be up for review.
How Do You Get In?
Super simple—no abaya required (yet):
- Submit your application via the One VASCO centres in India or Bangladesh
- Or hop online through the official Rayad Group portal
- Or if you’re the “talk to a human” kind, there’s a dedicated call centre too
Once your background gets the green light, your application will float over to the UAE government like a VIP email. Final approval? That’s up to them—but if you’re legit and awesome, chances look golden.
What’s in It for You?
Let’s talk perks, because oh boy, they’re sparkly:
- Bring your family along
- Hire domestic help or a driver
- Open a business or join one—your call
- And best of all? The visa doesn’t expire even if you sell off that luxury apartment in Downtown Dubai.
Yes, really. You’re free to move, groove, and build your best UAE life—no strings attached.
Why India, Why Now?
This isn’t just about visas; it’s a bold chapter in the India-UAE bromance, especially since CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) kicked in back in May 2022. India and Bangladesh are the test runs, but the UAE plans to expand this scheme to CEPA countries like China next. So yeah, we’re basically trendsetters here.
Final Thought?
If you’ve ever daydreamed about trading your morning alarm for a beachside jog in Abu Dhabi or swapping traffic jams for a palm-lined skyline—now’s your chance. Just think of this Golden Visa as the ultimate UAE loyalty card. One payment. Lifetime returns.
