UAE Golden Visa via Bank Deposit

Key points:

• The minimum deposit is AED 2,000,000 — approximately $545,000 or €500,000 — placed in an accredited UAE bank in your own name. Borrowed funds do not qualify.
• The deposit is placed under an irrevocable bank hold for a minimum of two years. Funds cannot be withdrawn during this period without first cancelling the Golden Visa.
• Eligible formats: cash deposit or investment bonds registered with a local bank.
• Health insurance for the applicant is mandatory — at the time of application and throughout the visa term.
• Government fees total AED 4,700, making this the lowest-cost investment route to the Golden Visa by fees.
• The deposit route has no employer, salary, or professional qualification requirements — the only threshold is the investment amount.

How much does the UAE Golden Visa via bank deposit cost in 2026?

The government fees for the bank deposit route total AED 4,700. This covers the visa itself, the mandatory medical fitness test, and the 10-year Emirates ID.

Government fees based on ICP/GDRFA/Dubai Land Department published rates, 2026. Emirabiz service fee, authority filing, and processing acceleration are not included and are quoted separately.

Health insurance: Health insurance is a mandatory requirement under UAE law — cost varies by provider, coverage level, and number of dependents — your Emirabiz consultant will advise on suitable options.

Renewal cost: These fees apply at the time of both initial application and renewal. Renewing the Golden Visa via bank deposit costs the same as obtaining it for the first time.

Bank deposit vs property investment: which route suits you?

Investors choosing between property and bank deposit options face the same minimum investment — AED 2,000,000 — and both routes lead to a 10-year renewable residence permit. The difference is in what asset underlies the investment, how much the process costs, and how much ongoing attention the investment demands.

The deposit route works best for investors who want residency without operational complexity — no tenants, no maintenance, no market exposure. The property Golden visa route suits those who want a tangible UAE asset that can appreciate and generate rental income alongside the visa.

Who can apply for the UAE Golden Visa via bank deposit?

The deposit route has no employer, salary, or professional qualification requirements. Any foreign national who owns AED 2,000,000 in personal funds can apply — the only threshold is the investment amount.

The deposit conditions

• The full AED 2,000,000 must be owned by the applicant. Borrowed funds do not qualify under Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022.
• The deposit is placed under an irrevocable bank hold for a minimum of two years. Funds cannot be withdrawn during this period without first cancelling the Golden Visa. The hold restricts access to the funds, not their growth — the deposit continues to earn interest under the bank's standard terms throughout the lock-up period.
• Eligible formats: cash deposit, local Sukuk (an Islamic financial instrument equivalent to a bond), or investment bonds registered with a UAE-accredited bank.

Eligible banks

The deposit must be placed in a UAE government-recognised bank. Banks known to offer Golden Visa deposit products include Emirates NBD, ADCB, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Mashreq, RAKBANK, and Ajman Bank. The full list of accredited institutions is confirmed by ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security). Your Emirabiz consultant will verify eligibility for your chosen bank before the application is filed.

How do you apply for the UAE Golden Visa via bank deposit?

The application centres on proving liquidity to the authorities. The full process takes 7–10 working days from the moment the application is initiated. With Emirabiz handling the submission, this can be reduced to 1–3 working days.

1. Open an accredited account. Place AED 2,000,000 in a fixed deposit at a UAE government-recognised bank. The funds must be in your name and wholly owned by you.
2. Obtain the bank letter. Request a formal confirmation letter from the bank addressed to ICP/GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs). The letter must confirm the deposit amount and the 2-year irrevocable hold. The bank simultaneously issues an Irrevocable Hold certificate to ICP — this is what locks the funds for the duration of the visa.
3. Submit the application. File through the federal ICP Smart Services portal or Dubai's GDRFA for initial approval. Emirabiz handles submission and monitors the application at every stage.
4. Complete medical and biometrics. Attend the mandatory medical check-up (HIV test and chest X-ray) and provide fingerprints for the 10-year Emirates ID.
5. Cancel your existing visa. If you hold a current residence or tourist visa, it is cancelled before the Golden Visa is issued. This typically happens simultaneously with the new visa issuance.
6. Receive your e-visa and Emirates ID. Once final approval is granted, the 10-year Golden Visa is issued electronically. The Emirates ID is delivered by courier within 7 days to your stated address.

What are the benefits of the UAE Golden Visa via bank deposit?

The bank deposit route delivers the same 10-year residency as any other Golden Visa category — with fewer moving parts than property or business investment. Some investors have the capital but do not want the operational complexity of managing an asset. For them, the deposit route is the most direct path to long-term UAE residency.

• Self-sponsorship. A 10-year renewable residence permit with no dependency on an employer or local sponsor.
• No 180-day rule. Golden Visa holders can stay outside the UAE for any period without risking cancellation of their residency status. Standard 2-year residence visas carry that restriction.
• Family residency.Sponsor your spouse, children of any age, and parents for the same 10-year term.
• Working deposit. The AED 2,000,000 is not a sunk cost. Market rates currently run around 4% per annum, which would generate approximately AED 80,000 per year in interest while your residency runs in parallel.
• ESAAD card. It is a Dubai Police loyalty programme offering discounts at thousands of partner merchants across retail, dining, healthcare, education, and travel. Application is free. ESAAD card for Golden Visa holders
• Priority banking access. Holders typically receive priority consideration when opening multi-currency accounts at UAE banks.
• No qualification barrier. Unlike the Golden Visa for managers or skilled employees, the deposit route requires no degree attestation or employer nomination. There is no minimum salary either.

The funds are locked — but not idle. The bank holds AED 2,000,000 under an irrevocable hold, the visa runs for 10 years, and at current rates the deposit earns approximately AED 80,000 a year in interest throughout.

Bottom line

The bank deposit route is the most direct path to a UAE Golden Visa in 2026. Government fees total AED 4,700, there are no qualification requirements, and the process completes in 7–10 working days. The deposit is on hold, but keeps working: based on current rates it returns approximately AED 80,000 a year. The route works for investors who want residency without asset management. If long-term capital appreciation matters more than liquidity, the property route is the stronger choice.