An IMGW News Report
For now, it is only citizens of India and Bangladesh who may apply. But if the pilot proves successful, the UAE’s newly launched nomination-based Golden Visa is expected to expand to other CEPA partner countries, including China. (CEPA, or Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, refers to a bilateral trade and cooperation pact that also covers services, investment, and labour mobility. More info at the bottom of this article.)
“this new pathway offers lifetime residency in exchange for a flat fee of AED 100,000 (around ₹23.3 lakh), provided the applicant can demonstrate professional excellence”
The scheme marks a decisive shift in the Emirates’ approach to long-term residency—one that prioritises talent over financial investment.
Unlike earlier iterations tied to real estate or business ownership, this new pathway offers lifetime residency in exchange for a flat fee of AED 100,000 (around ₹23.3 lakh), provided the applicant can demonstrate professional excellence. Candidates must be nominated by approved partners such as Rayad Group, VFS Global, or One Vasco, and must exhibit “distinguished merit” in fields ranging from science, education, and healthcare to e-sports, digital content, and maritime industries.
Yet payment alone is no guarantee. Each application undergoes extensive vetting, including checks for criminal records, money-laundering risks, and even social media behaviour. Only after clearing this scrutiny will a candidate be considered by UAE authorities for final approval.
“Some 5,000 Indian applications are expected in the first 90 days alone. If results are favourable, authorities intend to broaden the scheme to include other nationalities”
What is on offer is far-reaching. Recipients of the visa can live and work freely in the UAE, sponsor family members and domestic staff without age restrictions, and enjoy the right to switch jobs or start a business without requiring a local sponsor. Crucially, they are no longer tethered to owning property or maintaining fixed capital in the country.
Some 5,000 Indian applications are expected in the first 90 days alone. If results are favourable, authorities intend to broaden the scheme to include other nationalities under the CEPA framework.
In pivoting away from asset-based migration towards a nomination-led, talent-driven model, the UAE is rebranding itself as a hub for global excellence. In the new order, it is no longer wealth but worth that opens the door.
As of mid-2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with the following countries:
✅ Current CEPA Partners of the UAE:
- India
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Turkey
- Georgia
- Cambodia
- Colombia
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Costa Rica
🛠️ In Progress / Under Negotiation:
- China
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
- Pakistan
- Ukraine
- Chile
These agreements aim to enhance trade in goods and services, increase investment flows, and, crucially for the new Golden Visa scheme – often include provisions on labour mobility, professional services, and residency facilitation.
