Ajman Golden Visa: Eligibility, Requirements

Could there be a better time to anchor your life in one of the world’s most dynamic and forward-thinking economies, specifically by securing the prestigious Ajman Golden Visa, a ten-year residency that truly removes the bureaucratic handcuffs of short-term permits, offering you and your family unparalleled long-term stability and a firm foothold in the thriving ecosystem of the United Arab Emirates? The Golden Visa is more than just a stamp in your passport; it is a clear statement by the UAE government that they value your capital, your intellect, and your global contribution, paving an open, self-sponsored path for investors, skilled professionals, and exceptional talents who wish to make Ajman not just a temporary stop, but a long-term home for growth and prosperity. This comprehensive guide is designed to cut through the complexity, laying out the precise eligibility requirements, essential documents, and the step-by-step application process so you can navigate this journey with absolute confidence, transforming your vision of a decade-long future in the UAE into a tangible reality.

The Vision of the Golden Visa

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence program, offering five or ten years of residency that automatically renews upon expiration, and it is specifically designed to attract individuals who can make a significant positive impact on the country’s economy and social fabric. Unlike traditional employment visas, which are tied to your job and require a company sponsor, the Golden Visa is self-sponsored, meaning your residency status is secured by your personal qualifications, investments, or talents, providing a sense of security and freedom that is extremely valuable for a global professional. The best part is that this visa also completely removes the rule that required residents to not stay outside the UAE for more than six months, a massive benefit for people who frequently travel internationally for business or leisure. For a place like Ajman, known for its strategic location and growing business-friendly environment, attracting Golden Visa holders is crucial for its economic diversification and future success.

Golden Visa for Real Estate Investment

The property investment route is arguably one of the most popular and straightforward ways to qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa, offering a direct link between investment in the country’s real estate market and long-term residency. To be eligible through this category, an investor must own one or more completed or off-plan properties in Ajman or the wider UAE with a minimum total valuation of approximately 2 million UAE Dirhams, which is a key benchmark set by the government. A significant recent change now allows applicants to qualify based solely on the property’s value, regardless of whether it is mortgaged, as the previous minimum down payment requirement has been removed, making this path far more accessible. You must provide the official Title Certificate or Property Deed from the relevant land department in Ajman as verifiable proof of your ownership, and this documentation must clearly state the value that meets the minimum threshold.

Golden Visa for Public Investors and Entrepreneurs

For those looking to invest capital beyond real estate or establish an innovative business, the criteria focus on demonstrating a substantial financial commitment or a significant contribution to the local economy. An investor in a public investment fund or a company can qualify for the 10-year visa by investing capital of approximately 2 million Dirhams or by having a partnership share of at least the same amount in an existing or new company in the UAE. Another route for business owners is to show that the company they own or partner in pays an annual tax amount to the Federal Government that meets a minimum value, demonstrating consistent contribution to the national revenue. For Entrepreneurs, the focus shifts to innovation and economic potential, where you can qualify by having an existing project with a capital of at least a certain amount, or by obtaining official approval from an accredited business incubator in the UAE, which shows the project’s viability and strategic importance to the emirate.

Golden Visa for Highly Skilled Professionals

The UAE has purposefully designed a path to residency for specialized talents, recognizing that human capital is essential for a knowledge-based economy, and this category is particularly relevant for those earning high salaries in Ajman’s growing sectors. To qualify as a Skilled Professional, you must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, be employed in the UAE with a valid employment contract, and, most importantly, have a monthly basic salary of at least approximately 30,000 UAE Dirhams. It is crucial to note that this salary threshold now refers only to the basic salary, excluding any allowances like housing or transport, which is a recent clarification that raises the bar for eligibility. Furthermore, your job title must fall under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s occupational classification system as a first or second professional level, confirming your role is a highly specialized one.

The Application Process Simplified

The journey to securing your Ajman Golden Visa generally begins with an application for a nomination or eligibility confirmation through the official channels, which can be done through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or ICP, smart services portal. The first stage is a pre-approval process where you submit your basic documents to prove you meet the criteria for your chosen category, be it investment, professional salary, or talent. Once pre-approved, you are typically granted a six-month multiple-entry visa, allowing you the necessary time to enter the UAE, finalize all necessary local steps, and complete the full residency application. This temporary visa is incredibly useful because it gives you the flexibility to sort out medical tests, Emirates ID biometrics, and other local procedures without feeling rushed.

Medical Checks and Emirates ID Finalization

Upon arriving in Ajman using your multiple-entry visa, the subsequent steps are standardized for all residence visa applicants, including the Golden Visa holders. You must undergo a mandatory Medical Fitness Test at a government-approved health center, which includes essential screenings to ensure the health and safety of the community. Following a successful medical clearance, the next step is to visit an authorized center to complete the application for your Emirates ID, where your biometric data, including your fingerprints and facial photograph, are captured. The application process culminates with the final submission of all documents to the ICP, who will then issue the ten-year Golden Visa residence permit, which is no longer a physical sticker in the passport, but a digital record linked to your Emirates ID, symbolizing your long-term status.

Family Sponsorship Benefits

One of the most life-changing benefits of the Golden Visa is the comprehensive family sponsorship it provides, offering security for your loved ones without the typical restrictions of other visa types. A Golden Visa holder can sponsor their spouse and children for the entire ten-year duration of their own visa, and this is a significant advantage over the standard one to three-year visas. The program is exceptionally generous regarding children, as it allows a Golden Visa holder to sponsor their sons up to the age of 25 and their unmarried daughters of any age, removing the traditional age limits that apply to other residency permits. This stability is often the key deciding factor for families considering a permanent move to Ajman, as it ensures their children’s education and future remain uninterrupted and secure.

Maintaining Your Golden Status

While the Golden Visa offers incredible long-term stability, it does require you to uphold the original conditions under which it was granted, so this is not a set-it-and-forget-it arrangement. For property investors, you must maintain ownership of the qualifying real estate, and if you sell the original property, you must acquire a replacement of equal or greater value to keep your visa valid. For public investors, the capital investment must remain in the approved fund or company as stipulated. Crucially, the Golden Visa eliminates the need to return to the UAE every six months, granting exceptional travel flexibility. Nevertheless, you must ensure your health insurance remains valid and that you keep all your personal and investment documents up to date with the authorities to ensure a smooth renewal process a decade down the line.

Recommendations from the editor of www.few.ae

For anyone pursuing the Ajman Golden Visa, particularly under the Skilled Professional category, I strongly advise you to get your degree and qualification certificates attested and officially recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education before you even start the application, as this step often adds weeks to the process. Investors should work closely with a reputable, government-approved Real Estate Agency or a Business Setup Consultant in Ajman to ensure that the valuation of their property or the structure of their investment strictly complies with the approximately 2 million Dirham requirement, leaving no room for error. Remember that all official applications and fee payments must be conducted through the ICP’s digital platforms, which are the most reliable source of truth throughout your journey to ten years of residency in the dynamic UAE, a journey that you can navigate successfully with the right guidance, which is always available at www.few.ae.