UAE widens the Golden Visa to AI, cybersecurity and climate-tech talent
New talent categories cover AI specialists, software engineers, cybersecurity and data professionals, climate-technology founders and creative professionals, while the property route rises to AED 2 million.
Photo: Kgbo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The UAE has expanded the eligibility categories for its Golden Visa, adding routes for professionals in artificial intelligence, software engineering, cybersecurity and data science who can evidence their standing through published work, patents, contracted projects or recognised professional achievement. Climate-technology founders and creative professionals gain routes of their own.
The investment side moved in the other direction: the property threshold for the real-estate route has risen to AED 2 million for completed residential units, with separate and generally stricter conditions applying to off-plan purchases.
For employers competing for scarce technical talent, long-term residency is now part of the offer rather than an afterthought. A candidate weighing Dubai against Riyadh or Singapore is comparing the whole package, and sponsor-independent residency for the family is a strong element of it.
What it means for employers
- Flag Golden Visa eligibility during offer discussions for senior technical hires — it changes acceptance rates.
- Help candidates assemble evidence (patents, publications, project contracts) rather than leaving it to them.
- Review relocation budgets against the AED 2 million property threshold if you support investor routes.
Related pages
Summarised by the Horizon GCC team. Original reporting: The Emirates Times
This briefing is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before acting.
Get the latest HR, jobs and labour-market news
Labour law changes, visa rules, hiring trends and salary data from the UAE and the wider Gulf — sent with a link to read the full briefing on our site.
Talk to a Horizon GCC recruitment specialist.
Speak to one of the team and find out why UAE and GCC employers trust Horizon GCC to hire HR, technical and professional talent.