UAE Golden Visa via Bank Deposit

The Golden Visa for bank deposit is one of the ways to secure long-term UAE residency for 10 years. This guide will walk you through the visa requirements, the step-by-step process, costs and how this path compares to property investment.

Benefits of bank deposit-based Golden Visa

• Self-sponsorship: A renewable 10-year residency permit that is entirely independent of a local employer or sponsor.
• Travel flexibility: Don’t worry about the “180-day rule” — you can stay outside the United Arab Emirates for any period without risking cancellation of your residency status.
• Family security: Sponsor your spouse’s and children’s residency for the same 10-year duration.
• ESAAD card: Holders are eligible for the prestigious ESAAD card, providing discounts across healthcare, education, and luxury retail.
• Financial freedom: Priority in opening multi-currency bank accounts and exemption from personal income and capital gains taxes.

UAE Golden Visa bank deposit requirements

To qualify for this category, investors must meet specific financial and regulatory criteria.

The deposit amount

The core requirement is a 2 million AED deposit (or equivalent in another currency) placed in an accredited UAE bank.

• Ownership: The funds must belong entirely to the investor and cannot be obtained through a loan.
• Lock-up period: The investment must remain in the account for a minimum of two years. Withdrawing the funds before this period may result in visa revocation.
• Eligible assets: The deposit can be in the form of cash, local Sukuk, or investment bonds registered with a local bank.

Eligible banks and accounts

The deposit should be placed in an accredited UAE bank (such as Emirates NBD, ADCB, or Mashreq). Accounts typically offer an average interest rate of approximately 4%, providing a stable return while maintaining residency.

Other routes to obtain a Golden Visa in Dubai and the UAE include the Golden Visa through property investment and the Golden Visa for managers and skilled employees.

Bank deposit Golden Visa price and fee breakdown

Administrative fees for the Golden Visa through bank savings are lower than in case of property investment.

Government fees

Prices do not include mandatory medical insurance or local consultancy service fees.

Emirabiz service

Professional assistance from the Emirabiz team helps ensure your bank deposit documents and supporting proofs meet the requirements for the UAE Golden Visa via bank deposit. Our service includes guidance on compiling the required banking confirmation letters and statements, verifying that your evidence matches the authority’s criteria, and full application management from submission to visa issuance.

Step-by-step process: from savings to residency

The process centers on providing proof of liquidity to the authorities.

1. Open an accredited account: Place the AED 2,000,000 (or equivalent sum in another currency) in a fixed deposit or Sukuk in a local bank.

2. Obtain bank letter: Request a formal confirmation letter from the bank addressed to the ICA/GDRFA confirming the deposit and the 2-year lock-up commitment.

3. Initial approval: Submit your application through the federal ICP portal or Dubai’s GDRFA for pre-approval.

4. Medical and biometrics: Complete the mandatory medical check-up (HIV/Chest X-ray) and provide fingerprints for the 10-year Emirates ID.

5. Visa cancellation: If you have an existing residence or tourist visa, it must be cancelled before the Golden Visa is issued. Usually this is done simultaneously with the new visa issuance.

6. E-visa issuance: Once final approval is granted, your 10-year Golden Visa is issued electronically. Emirates ID is delivered by a courier during 7 days to the stated address.

Emirabiz service includes all paperwork, processing, and monitoring at every stage, as well as document delivery.

Bank deposit vs. property investment: comparison

Required document checklist

Before starting with the Golden Visa processing in Dubai, ensure the following documents are ready:

• Passport copy and personal photo.
• Proof of ownership of the AED 2,000,000 deposit (Bank letter).

How long does it take to get the UAE Golden Visa via bank deposit?

In most cases, the Golden Visa processing time for bank-deposit applicants is around 7–10 working days from the moment the application is initiated.

With Emirabiz advisors in Dubai, the timeline can be accelerated to 1–3 working days, depending on how quickly the supporting bank documents are issued and confirmed.

How to maintain the Golden Visa via bank deposit?

To maintain the Golden Visa, the qualifying bank deposit must remain in place for at least two years. After that period, the deposit can be withdrawn. However, to renew your Golden Visa via bank deposit, you will need to meet the underlying requirement again—meaning you must open a new AED 2 million deposit or change your residency basis.

How to renew the Golden Visa via bank deposit?

Renewal follows the same logic: the renewal cost is the same as for a new Golden Visa, and the investment basis should remain unchanged — meaning the qualifying bank deposit must still be valid and meet the requirement at the time of renewal.

How Emirabiz can help

With Emirabiz, the Golden Visa via bank deposit becomes a clear, managed process — from preparing an authority-ready file to final visa issuance. We coordinate the required steps with the relevant authorities and help you compile the correct bank confirmations so your investment basis is documented properly from day one. If you are relocating with family, we also organise the practical side — entry permits, medical checks, and Emirates ID appointments — so the transition stays smooth and predictable.

Emirabiz has over 12 years of UAE relocation and compliance experience, with 3,000+ companies opened and 25,000+ clients served. You get a dedicated team that handles submissions, legalisations, renewals, and ongoing status support — helping keep your residency protected and your paperwork consistently valid.