Published on
October 14, 2025
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In a major expansion of its Golden Visa scheme, the UAE government has unveiled new consular services aimed at enhancing the protection of expatriates abroad. The new services, which were announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, mark a significant milestone in the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support foreign residents who hold the coveted 10-year Golden Visa.
Since its inception in 2018, the Golden Visa has provided long-term residency options to foreign investors, skilled professionals, and exceptional talent. Now, with the inclusion of essential consular services, the UAE is taking an important step toward improving the welfare of its expatriate community worldwide. The announcement was made during Gitex Global, Dubai’s premier technology event, which is known for showcasing groundbreaking initiatives.
What’s New for Golden Visa Holders?
As part of the new expansion, Golden Visa holders will now be able to access crucial emergency services when traveling or residing abroad. These new measures include:
Passport Assistance: If a Golden Visa holder loses or damages their passport while overseas, they will be able to obtain a document to help them return to the UAE with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dedicated Hotline: A special hotline will be set up through the Ministry’s call center to provide round-the-clock support to Golden Visa holders during emergencies abroad.
Evacuation and Emergency Plans: Golden Visa holders will now be included in the UAE’s evacuation and emergency response plans in the event of crises or natural disasters occurring in the countries they are visiting or residing in.
Repatriation of Remains: In the unfortunate event of a visa holder’s death, the UAE will coordinate the repatriation of their remains and burial arrangements in the UAE.
These new services aim to provide an added layer of security and peace of mind to the expatriate community, ensuring that they have the support they need, no matter where they are in the world.
Countries with Golden Visa Programs Similar to UAE’s
1. Portugal
Portugal’s Golden Visa program is one of the most popular in Europe and offers long-term residency to foreign nationals who invest in the country. The program is designed to attract investors, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs, and provides the possibility of Portuguese citizenship after five years.
Key Features:
Residency by Investment: Investments can be made in real estate, businesses, or research.
Consular Support: While Portugal offers excellent consular services, it does not explicitly provide the same emergency support as the UAE, such as evacuation services. However, Portuguese citizens and residents can access embassy assistance in emergencies.
2. Greece
Greece offers a Golden Visa program through real estate investment, which grants residency to foreign nationals. Greece’s residency by investment program provides several benefits, such as the ability to travel freely within the Schengen Zone.
Key Features:
Residency by Investment: Property investments start from €250,000.
Emergency Support: Greece’s consular services are reliable, but they are more focused on regular embassy services, and it doesn’t provide explicit emergency evacuation or repatriation services like the UAE.
3. Malta
Malta offers both a permanent residency program and a citizenship by investment program. The residency program grants individuals the right to live in Malta and access European Union benefits.
Key Features:
Residency by Investment: Investments can be made through real estate or government donations.
Consular Services: Malta provides strong consular services for its citizens and residents. However, similar to Greece and Portugal, it does not offer a dedicated emergency support service like the UAE’s Golden Visa.
4. Spain
Spain has a Golden Visa program where foreign nationals can acquire residency by investing in real estate, business, or financial assets. The program allows long-term residency and the option to apply for citizenship after 10 years.
Key Features:
Residency by Investment: Investment in real estate starting from €500,000.
Consular Services: Spain provides consular support to its residents, including assistance in emergencies abroad, but it does not have a specialized program as robust as the UAE’s. There is no known dedicated hotline for Golden Visa holders in emergencies.
5. Cyprus
Cyprus offers a residency by investment program that requires investment in real estate, businesses, or government bonds. The residency provides access to Cyprus and the European Union.
Key Features:
Residency by Investment: Investments start from €300,000.
Consular Services: Cyprus provides consular services for its residents, especially for emergencies abroad. However, like other European countries, it does not have a dedicated emergency evacuation program similar to the UAE’s.
6. St. Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean)
The Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis offers a citizenship by investment program, which is a variant of a Golden Visa. This program allows for the acquisition of citizenship through donation or investment in real estate, offering visa-free travel to many countries.
Key Features:
Citizenship by Investment: Investments in real estate or government donation.
Consular Support: While St. Kitts and Nevis provide consular services, they focus more on offering travel benefits and citizenship advantages rather than comprehensive emergency evacuation services abroad.
7. Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda offer a Golden Visa (Citizenship by Investment Program) that grants citizenship to investors, allowing visa-free travel to various countries.
Key Features:
Citizenship by Investment: Investment in real estate or a government donation.
Consular Services: As part of the Caribbean region’s citizenship programs, Antigua and Barbuda offers consular services for its citizens, though the focus is mainly on providing general embassy assistance and travel benefits.
8. United States (EB-5 Investor Visa)
The U.S. EB-5 program grants permanent residency (green card) to individuals who invest in job-creating businesses. The program offers a pathway to U.S. citizenship after five years.
Key Features:
Residency by Investment: Investments start from $800,000 in targeted employment areas.
Consular Support: The U.S. provides consular services to residents abroad through its embassies and consulates, but there is no special emergency evacuation or repatriation services like the UAE’s Golden Visa.
Key Differences Between UAE and Other Golden Visa Programs
While many countries offer Golden Visa programs or residency by investment options, UAE stands out for its comprehensive emergency support services for its residents abroad, which include:
24/7 Consular Hotline: Golden Visa holders can contact a dedicated UAE government hotline for urgent assistance.
Evacuation Services: The UAE’s Golden Visa holders are included in emergency evacuation plans abroad, which is not commonly available in other countries’ Golden Visa schemes.
Passport Assistance: Lost or damaged passport support, facilitating a swift return to the UAE.
Repatriation Services: Support for repatriating remains and coordinating burials in the UAE.
A Comprehensive and Inclusive Visa Scheme
The UAE’s Golden Visa scheme, which provides a renewable 10-year residency, is available to foreign nationals through various routes. Among the most common pathways are:
Property Investment: Individuals who invest at least Dh2 million ($540,000) in property in the UAE are eligible for a Golden Visa.
Bank Deposits or Investments: Those with a minimum of Dh2 million in a bank fixed deposit or a UAE investment fund also qualify for the visa, provided the investment is made in the emirate where the application is submitted.
Skilled Workers: Professionals who earn a gross salary of at least Dh30,000 per month, including allowances, are eligible for the visa. This includes professionals from a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, engineering, and IT.
Exceptional Talent: Individuals who are recognized in fields like business, sports, arts, or science can apply for the visa through a special talent nomination, even if they do not have property investments or bank deposits in the UAE.
This comprehensive approach allows the UAE to attract highly skilled workers and investors, while also offering a long-term, stable residency option to those looking to make the UAE their home.
The Impact on Business Travelers and Tourists
The expansion of the Golden Visa scheme with emergency services abroad will have far-reaching benefits for both business travelers and tourists who hold the visa. For business travelers, the new emergency services provide a much-needed safety net when traveling abroad for conferences, meetings, or other professional commitments. With the ability to access consular assistance and evacuation services, business owners and employees can travel with greater confidence.
For tourists, the new services offer additional peace of mind while exploring the UAE’s diverse travel destinations. Whether it’s a spontaneous adventure or an extended stay, Golden Visa holders will now have the reassurance that they are covered in case of emergencies abroad. This new feature makes the Golden Visa even more attractive to long-term residents and visitors who seek stability and security while living or traveling in the UAE.
Step-by-Step Guidelines for Applying for the Golden Visa
Eligibility: Review the requirements for the Golden Visa to determine which category you qualify for (property investment, skilled worker, exceptional talent, etc.).
Document Submission: Prepare the necessary documentation, including proof of your investment, employment, or exceptional talent. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months.
Application: Submit your application through the UAE government’s official portals or relevant authority in the emirate where you reside.
Fees: Expect to pay a processing fee, which ranges between Dh5,000 and Dh9,000 for medical tests, Emirates ID, and residency application.
Medical Examination and Biometrics: Upon approval, complete a medical examination and biometrics capture to finalize your Golden Visa application.
Enjoy Benefits: Once granted, enjoy all the benefits of the Golden Visa, including access to emergency services, long-term residency, and support abroad.
The UAE’s Commitment to Expatriates
The UAE has long been a hub for expatriates from around the world, with millions of foreign nationals living and working in the country. The latest expansion of the Golden Visa scheme underscores the UAE’s commitment to its expatriate community, offering them unprecedented security and support. With the added emergency assistance for Golden Visa holders, the UAE is setting a new standard for expatriate protection, providing not only long-term residency options but also essential services that enhance the overall quality of life for foreign nationals.
Legal experts have praised the initiative, noting that it is a rare example of a country offering such extensive protection to expatriates. This move will likely increase the trust expatriates have in the UAE, encouraging them to contribute further to the country’s growth and prosperity.
Key Points to Remember:
Expanded Services: Golden Visa holders now have access to emergency consular services abroad, including passport assistance, evacuation plans, and repatriation services.
Eligibility Criteria: The visa is available through property investments, skilled worker status, or exceptional talent nominations.
New Emergency Support: Golden Visa holders can benefit from a dedicated hotline and evacuation plans in case of crises overseas.
Global Protection: The UAE is setting a new benchmark for expatriate support with this significant expansion of the Golden Visa scheme.
