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Golden Residency — Outstanding Student or Graduate

United Arab EmiratesTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Get your free results Read the five questions ↓

Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

This Golden visa category is for outstanding students: high-school achievers or top university students or graduates. A related ICP description specifies graduation from high school or from accredited universities in the country with a GPA of 3.8 or more.

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What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

Recognition is evidenced by certificates of excellence and recommendation letters from the school or university.

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Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

Government approval is required rather than a private nominator: for top secondary-school students, the required average is based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education and the competent local authorities and the certificate must be approved by the Ministry of Education; for top UAE-university graduates the certificate must be attested by, and for top international-university graduates approved by, the Ministry of Education.

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Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

Holders of this Golden visa do not need a sponsor inside the UAE and may sponsor family members, including spouses and children. The official source does not state whether the holder may change employer, work independently or start a business.

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What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

The Golden Residence annex to Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 states that the ICA may grant a one-time, non-renewable Golden Residence Permit to top students and graduates from Emirati schools and universities and the best international universities, in accordance with the conditions and controls specified in the resolution. The annex sets the general Golden Residence term at 10 years, while the UAE government portal lists 5 years for high school achievers and 10 years for top university students, so the official sources differ on the term for school students. The official source does not state an accelerated or longer-term residence pathway for this category.

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Limits of the record
  • The official source does not state an accelerated or longer-term residence pathway for this category.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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