UAE Golden Visa 2025: Lifetime Residency, No Investment Needed for Indians & Bangladeshis

The UAE has recently introduced a groundbreaking expansion of its Golden Visa program, offering lifetime residency through a nomination-based process — and the best part? It requires no investment in property or business. This latest update, exclusive to citizens of India and Bangladesh for now, marks a historic shift in how long-term residence is granted in the Emirates.

In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this new Golden Visa option, including eligibility, costs, benefits, income tax rules, and how it compares to previous visa categories.

What Is the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that allows foreign talent to live, work, and study in the country without the need for a national sponsor. Previously, the visa was offered for 5 or 10 years based on specific eligibility criteria like investments, real estate purchases, or professional excellence.

However, in 2025, the UAE launched a new lifetime residency scheme targeting skilled individuals from select countries through a nomination-based application process.

What’s New in 2025: Nomination-Based Lifetime Residency

The latest version of the UAE Golden Visa now includes a lifetime validity option for Indian and Bangladeshi citizens. This update is part of a pilot program that aims to attract global talent in a streamlined and affordable way.

 Key Features:

• Lifetime residency (no need to renew every 5–10 years)

• One-time payment: AED 100,000 (~₹23.3 lakh)

• No investment required in property, business, or startup

• Eligibility via professional nomination, not net worth

• Visa status retained even if you stay outside the UAE for a long time

Who Can Apply?

The nomination-based Golden Visa is currently open to citizens of India and Bangladesh, targeting professionals in specific fields. Here are the eligible sectors:

• Education

• Healthcare

• Information Technology

• Digital content creation

• Maritime industry

• E-sports and gaming

• Coding and AI

• Engineering

• Science and research

• Creative arts (music, literature, design)

Applicants must be nominated by a recognized UAE agency such as Rayad Group, operating through official partners like VFS Global or One Vasco.

What Are the Benefits?

This version of the Golden Visa provides a wide range of benefits for expatriates and their families:

• Sponsor your spouse and children with ease

• Open a bank account and access loans

• Enroll in UAE schools and universities

• Buy or rent property freely

• Unlimited entry and exit

• Maintain residency even with long absences

• Live in a tax-free environment

UAE Golden Visa and Income Tax

One of the major perks of living in the UAE is the absence of personal income tax. Residents don’t pay taxes on:

• Salary

• Capital gains

• Dividends

• Rental income (unless from UAE-based properties)

However, if you are an Indian citizen, your tax residency status will depend on the number of days you stay in each country:

• If you stay in the UAE for 183+ days a year, you are treated as a UAE tax resident.

• If you spend more time in India, your global income may be taxed by Indian authorities.

The India–UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) ensures that you are not taxed twice on the same income. It is advisable to consult a financial advisor or CA to structure your income efficiently.

Lifetime Visa vs. Traditional Golden Visa

This new pathway is ideal for professionals who want security and flexibility without tying up capital in the UAE.

How to Apply for the UAE Golden Visa (Nomination Route)

The process is handled through authorized agencies and is not open for self-application.

Steps:

1. Get nominated by your employer, professional body, or UAE-based organization.

2. Submit documentation to an authorized agency like Rayad Group via VFS or One Vasco.

3. Complete background checks and identity verification.

4. Pay the AED 100,000 fee once approved.

5. Receive lifetime residency status with Emirates ID.

Note: This pilot program is currently limited to Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, but future expansions are expected.

Final Thoughts

The UAE Golden Visa (2025) now offers a lifetime opportunity to skilled professionals from India and Bangladesh — all without requiring large financial investments. With zero income tax, family sponsorship, and access to world-class infrastructure, this visa is set to become one of the most attractive residency options globally.

Whether you're a digital creator, a healthcare worker, or an AI developer, this is your chance to secure a future in one of the world’s most dynamic economies — tax-free and for life.