The UAE has promptly addressed and dismissed a wave of misinformation circulating in international media and online about its prestigious Golden Visa programme.
Authorities have repeatedly clarified that the visa is not granted for life and cannot be obtained through cryptocurrency investments, cautioning residents not to fall for such inaccurate claims.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) emphasized that Golden Visas are issued strictly in accordance with official legal guidelines and exclusively through UAE government channels.
Top Three Myths About the Golden Visa:
Rumour 1: Certain nationalities can receive lifetime UAE residency for a one-time fee of Dh100,000 (INR 23.3 lakh) without the need for property or business investment. Professions cited in this rumour include nurses, teachers, researchers, content creators, and maritime experts.
Fact: False. The ICP confirmed that there is no such scheme, stating that all Golden Visa applications must be submitted through official government platforms. No external advisory body is authorized to process or approve such applications.
Authorities urge the public not to be misled by fraudulent claims or unofficial services offering guaranteed or fast-tracked visas, and strongly advise against paying any fees or submitting personal documents to unverified parties.
Rumour 2: Cryptocurrency investors, particularly those holding Toncoin, are eligible to obtain UAE Golden Visas by staking tokens and paying a one-time fee of $35,000.
Fact: Completely untrue. The UAE’s immigration authority, along with the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Vara), have categorically denied these claims. No such provision exists for granting Golden Visas based on digital asset investments.
Rumour 3: The salary eligibility criteria for skilled professionals applying for the Golden Visa were amended to consider only the basic salary, dropping the total salary threshold.
Fact: False. No changes have been made. Mainland employees must have a total monthly salary of at least Dh30,000 as per their labour contract, while free zone workers require a salary certificate from their respective free zone confirming the same amount.
The UAE government continues to warn residents and potential applicants to rely solely on official sources for information and services related to the Golden Visa programme.