The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit that grants eligible foreign nationals the right to live, work, and invest in the United Arab Emirates for five or ten years without requiring a local sponsor.
Administered by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the program forms a central pillar of the UAE’s strategy to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and highly qualified professionals. 1, 2
Although the process appears straightforward, each application demands strict compliance with documentary, financial, and legal requirements. Many categories require certified translations, notarised documents, and official endorsements from competent ministries.
Engaging a licensed UAE law firm ensures these obligations are met in accordance with federal and emirate-level regulations, providing applicants with both legal protection and procedural accuracy throughout the process.
Top Choices Upfront
Zoark is a boutique immigration and investment law firm assisting clients with cross-border residency and citizenship solutions, including the UAE Golden Visa. Their licensed lawyers manage every case directly, ensuring full compliance, precise documentation, and seamless coordination with UAE authorities.
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Movingto provides independent residency guidance and legal coordination for Golden Visa applicants across the UAE. Through partnerships with licensed law firms and certified advisors, Movingto manages eligibility assessments, investment verification, and family sponsorship to ensure a compliant and efficient path to long-term residence.
Contact MovingtoHow a Lawyer Helps with the UAE Golden Visa Process
Obtaining a UAE Golden Visa involves multiple layers of documentation, verification, and coordination between ministries and authorities. While applicants can submit forms directly through the ICP or GDRFA portals, licensed lawyers ensure that each step meets legal and procedural standards, minimising the risk of rejection or delay.
How Legal Representation Simplifies the Process
- Eligibility Verification – A lawyer assesses your category and confirms compliance with federal and emirate-level requirements before any submission.
- Document Certification – All contracts, title deeds, and financial proofs are verified, translated, and notarised according to UAE legal standards.
- Endorsement Coordination – Legal representatives liaise with ministries and councils to secure official recommendation letters for qualified applicants.
- Property & Business Due Diligence – Lawyers confirm property valuations, company share structures, and investment thresholds meet ICP and ADRO guidelines.
- Appeal & Rejection Handling – If an application is refused, a lawyer can file a formal appeal or request a review through the appropriate authority.
- Compliance with Legal Profession Law – Licensed law firms operate under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022, ensuring confidentiality and ethical representation.
- Renewal & Status Maintenance – Lawyers assist with renewals, family sponsorship extensions, and legal changes affecting long-term residency.
- Strategic Oversight by Movingto – At Movingto, we partner exclusively with licensed UAE law firms, providing clients with seamless legal coordination, compliant document preparation, and structured oversight from eligibility to issuance.
Legal Framework & Governing Authorities
The UAE Golden Visa operates within a federal framework established by Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2017, which consolidates all matters relating to the entry and residence of foreigners.
The accompanying executive regulations empower the ICP to formulate national residency policy, propose legislative amendments, and implement the visa through an integrated digital infrastructure accessible via icp.gov.ae.
Although the system is federal, its execution depends on cooperation between federal and emirate-level authorities. The ICP manages the overarching policy, online platforms, and final adjudication, while local entities oversee in-person verification, document validation, and category-specific nominations.
This two-tier structure ensures both national consistency and local flexibility in meeting each emirate’s economic objectives.
In Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) oversees the physical verification process and administers local initiatives such as the Golden Cultural Visa in cooperation with Dubai Culture.
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO), operating under the Department of Economic Development (ADDED), functions as the principal nomination hub for entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled professionals seeking residency through the emirate’s innovation ecosystem.
Other ministries and agencies play a decisive role in evaluating candidates within their respective domains. The Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Health and Prevention, and Ministry of Education issue the mandatory endorsement or recommendation letters required for many specialised categories. 3, 4, 5
These endorsements act as expert validations of an applicant’s contribution to the UAE’s knowledge economy and align with the objectives set out under the national Projects of the 50 initiative.
Together, this collaborative structure, federal policy combined with emirate-level execution, forms a unified yet adaptive residency framework that supports the UAE’s goal of attracting and retaining global talent and investment.
The 10 Best UAE Golden Visa Law Firms to Consider
#1 Zoark: Cross-Border Golden Visa Legal Experts
Zoark is a boutique immigration and investment law firm renowned for its precision-driven handling of Golden Visa cases. With offices across Europe and partnerships in the UAE, Zoark represents high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and global entrepreneurs seeking long-term residency through lawful investment.
The firm is entirely lawyer-led; every case is managed in-house by licensed immigration attorneys, ensuring strict confidentiality and compliance with both UAE and international regulations.
Zoark’s team bridges U.S., EU, and GCC legal systems, offering full coordination for Golden Visa applicants investing via real estate, business incorporation, or strategic shareholding routes.
Known for its private-client model, Zoark limits its intake to a select number of clients each month, guaranteeing exceptional attention, transparent reporting, and complete legal oversight from eligibility review to residence permit issuance.
Why Choose Zoark?
Zoark stands apart for its cross-jurisdictional mastery and legal precision. The firm integrates Golden Visa planning with tax, investment, and estate compliance, protecting clients from missteps that often delay UAE residency approvals.
For investors who want total privacy, confirmed compliance, and full legal support, Zoark offers a level of service more like private banking than regular immigration consulting. Each case is treated as a bespoke legal project, planned, executed, and monitored entirely by lawyers.
#2 Movingto: Residency Planning & Legal Coordination Experts
Movingto is a global residency and investment coordination platform offering fully integrated support for Golden Visa, residency-by-investment, and tax compliance services. Headquartered in Europe with legal partners across the UAE, the platform bridges the gap between clients, licensed immigration lawyers, and regulatory bodies.
Unlike regular consultancies, Movingto focuses on compliance first, offering clear comparisons of official residency options and connecting clients with trusted law firms. Each client engagement is managed with a legal-first approach, ensuring accuracy, document compliance, and financial transparency throughout the Golden Visa process.
Through structured partnerships with vetted UAE firms, Movingto provides investors and families with secure access to legitimate legal representation, end-to-end document review, and continued assistance post-approval.
Why Choose Movingto
Movingto combines legal precision, regulatory insight, and global tax coordination, all under one framework. The platform was built for discerning investors who want the peace of mind that every partner, law firm, and service provider they work with has been pre-vetted for compliance.
With profound experience in EU and GCC residency frameworks, Movingto offers a truly integrated pathway for clients managing multi-jurisdictional assets. Whether you’re investing through real estate, corporate structures, or financial instruments, Movingto ensures that each step meets UAE regulatory standards and aligns with long-term tax efficiency.
#3 Fragomen UAE: Global Immigration Specialists
Fragomen is one of the world’s leading immigration law firms, with an established presence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm’s UAE offices handle corporate, private-client, and investment-related immigration, including the Golden Visa program.
Fragomen’s team assists investors, executives, and multinational employers with eligibility verification, document preparation, and submission through ICP and GDRFA channels.
Known for its scale, compliance standards, and extensive government liaison network, Fragomen provides a seamless process for high-volume and complex cases.
#4 Al Tamimi & Company: Regional Legal Powerhouse
Al Tamimi & Company is one of the Middle East’s most established full-service law firms, with a strong presence across the UAE. Its immigration and private-client departments regularly advise investors, corporate executives, and family offices on the UAE Golden Visa, business incorporation, and related regulatory compliance.
The firm combines local expertise with deep government-liaison experience, assisting clients in preparing notarized documents, investment proofs, and sponsor-free residency applications.
With more than 60 partners across 17 offices, Al Tamimi offers the resources of a large regional practice while maintaining the precision required for complex Golden Visa filings.
#5 Hadef & Partners: An established UAE Law Firm with Immigration Expertise
Hadef & Partners is a long-standing, UAE-founded law firm with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, recognised for its strength in employment, corporate, and immigration matters.
The firm assists investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals with Golden Visa applications, document authentication, and compliance with federal and emirate-level regulations. Its lawyers are well-versed in cross-border residency issues, particularly for executives seeking long-term relocation through business ownership or professional merit.
Hadef’s government-recognised track record and bilingual legal team make it a reliable option for clients who prioritise credibility and thorough documentation.
#6 Henley & Partners: Strategic Residency and Citizenship Advisors
Henley & Partners is one of the most recognised names in global residency and citizenship planning. In the UAE, the firm operates from its Dubai office, providing tailored advisory for investors pursuing long-term residence through the Golden Visa and related investment programs.
Its team coordinates directly with licensed UAE law firms and real estate partners to manage document preparation, financial qualification, and government submissions. Henley’s structured, compliance-led approach makes it particularly appealing for clients seeking integrated global mobility solutions alongside UAE residency.
#7 Ogier: Private Wealth and Residency Planning for HNW Clients
Ogier is an international law firm with offices in Dubai and a strong reputation for advising high-net-worth individuals and family offices. The firm integrates private wealth, immigration, and corporate structuring to assist clients pursuing UAE Golden Visas through property ownership or investment routes.
Its Dubai team regularly collaborates with financial advisors and government authorities, ensuring every application aligns with both residency and estate-planning objectives. Ogier’s emphasis on long-term compliance and confidentiality makes it a trusted choice for clients managing global portfolios.
#8 BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP: Regional Firm with Golden Visa Capability
BSA is a prominent regional law firm with deep roots in the UAE and a multidisciplinary practice spanning corporate, real estate, and private client matters.
Its Dubai and Abu Dhabi teams advise investors and property owners on Golden Visa eligibility, documentation, and emirate-level procedures, coordinating with government authorities and land departments where required. BSA’s strength lies in complex real-estate-linked filings and investor pathways that benefit from integrated corporate advice.
#9 STA Law Firm: Specialises in Immigration and Corporate Law
STA Law Firm is a UAE-based legal practice with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, known for its immigration and corporate legal expertise.
The firm provides dedicated assistance to Golden Visa applicants, including investors, professionals, and property owners. STA’s attorneys manage application preparation, category verification, and liaising with authorities such as the GDRFA and ICP.
Their strong grounding in UAE legislation and bilingual support make them a dependable choice for both residents and foreign investors seeking permanent relocation.
#10 Clyde & Co: International Law Firm with UAE Residency Focus
Clyde & Co is a leading international law firm with a strong footprint in the Middle East, including offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm offers strategic advice on UAE immigration, corporate restructuring, and long-term residency solutions, including Golden Visa applications for executives, entrepreneurs, and property investors.
Its lawyers work closely with government departments, developers, and multinational clients to ensure compliance with the UAE’s immigration and investment frameworks.
Clyde & Co’s combination of international experience and local licensing makes it a solid choice for cross-border clients seeking professional, compliant residency representation.
How to Choose the Right UAE Law Firm
Selecting the right law firm is one of the most decisive steps in the UAE Golden Visa process. Despite holding valid licences, not all firms possess the necessary qualifications to handle immigration or investment-related matters.
Applicants should evaluate potential representatives carefully, ensuring that legal services are not only compliant but also tailored to the complex requirements of long-term residency applications.
Key Criteria for Choosing the Right Law Firm
Before proceeding, applicants should shortlist firms that meet these standards and then verify their credentials individually through official MOJ, DLD, or ADJD registries.
Why Legal Representation Is Critical
The UAE Golden Visa is a formal legal process, not a simple administrative task. Each category of eligibility requires precise documentation and strict adherence to regulatory standards. Licensed lawyers ensure that every component of the application aligns with federal and emirate-level laws, preventing costly delays or rejections.
A qualified attorney verifies business valuations exceeding AED 500,000, prepares audited financial reports, confirms property ownership authenticity, and oversees official translations of contracts and supporting evidence.
These steps must comply with Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022 on the Regulation of Legal Consultancies, which governs who may legally provide immigration advice in the UAE.
Beyond preparing applications, law firms also represent clients in appeals, revocations, or status renewals, offering a level of protection that unregulated “visa consultants” cannot.
While consultants may assist with data entry or scheduling, only licensed lawyers and legal consultants are authorized to interpret law, draft legal submissions, or communicate formally with UAE authorities.
Who Is Eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is open to several categories of residents and investors who meet specific financial or professional criteria.
While eligibility may appear straightforward, each route requires formally verified documentation that licensed law firms prepare and certify before submission.
- Investors (Public & Real Estate): Minimum AED 2 million in real estate or approved investment funds. Lawyers confirm property title and mortgage-free ownership and verify bank statements for fund-based investments.
- Entrepreneurs / SME Founders: Business valuation of AED 500,000+, plus endorsements from an auditor, incubator, and emirate-level authority such as ADDED or DED Dubai.
- Specialised Talents & Executives: Includes doctors, engineers, scientists, and senior managers earning AED 30,000+ monthly, supported by ministry-issued endorsements.
- Outstanding Students & Graduates: Top achievers with a GPA ≥ 3.8 and university recognition from the Ministry of Education.
- Retirees & Humanitarian Contributors: Applicants aged 55+ with AED 1M+ property value or sufficient annual income, as well as individuals recognised for charitable work.
Legal professionals ensure each case meets these standards precisely, preventing administrative errors and safeguarding eligibility before submission to ICP or GDRFA.
UAE Golden Visa Law Fees, Timelines & Renewals
The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) applies a transparent but decentralized fee structure for Golden Visa processing. While base charges are standardized, total costs vary by emirate and service provider.
Typical government fees include:
- Application fee: AED 100
- Issuance fee: AED 100 per year of validity
- Smart service fee: AED 100
- Medical examination: AED 250–350 (average)
- Emirates ID and insurance: AED 200–800 combined
There is no official public fee schedule, and the ICP cautions applicants to make all payments exclusively via its digital portal or authorized channels.
The authority has published multiple warnings against cyber fraud and unlicensed intermediaries offering payment links or unofficial receipts.
Renewal and Grace Period
Golden Visas renew automatically once eligibility criteria remain valid. Holders are granted a six-month grace period after expiry to regularize status, after which a AED 50 per day administrative fine applies.
Law Firm Payment Management
Licensed law firms typically handle government payments through official ICP or GDRFA accounts, issuing clients a verified receipt for each transaction. T
hese firms maintain full digital records, covering invoices, submission proofs, and fee logs, ensuring audit-ready documentation in line with Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022 and AML compliance standards.
Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi: Comparative Landscape
While the UAE Golden Visa operates under a unified federal framework, implementation differs slightly between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, particularly in processing authorities, focus areas, and endorsement pathways.
Dubai functions primarily through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). It remains the most active emirate for real estate–based Golden Visas and creative professionals under the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. The city also promotes a streamlined fast track for artists, media professionals, and cultural investors, often processed faster than standard investor categories.
Abu Dhabi, by contrast, coordinates applications via the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) and the Hub71 entrepreneurial ecosystem, emphasizing innovation, startups, and SME founders. Its entrepreneur and talent criteria are more structured, with eligibility requiring formal endorsement from ADDED or accredited accelerators.
Fee and income benchmarks also vary slightly:
- Abu Dhabi: AED 20,000 monthly income threshold for retirees.
- Dubai: AED 15,000 monthly income threshold for retirees.
Law firms that are licensed in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi can handle applications in both areas, offering clients a single point of support for their investments or business activities in multiple emirates, making sure they obey the rules and operate smoothly at both federal and local levels.
Final Checklist for UAE Golden Visa Applicants
Before submitting your UAE Golden Visa application, ensure all requirements are met and verified by your legal representative.
- ✅ Eligibility confirmed — category meets the official ICP and emirate-specific criteria.
- ✅ Official endorsement letters secured — obtained from relevant ministries, councils, or incubators.
- ✅ Licensed law firm engaged — verified under the Ministry of Justice or Dubai Legal Affairs Department.
- ✅ Documents notarized and translated — all materials certified in Arabic and attested by UAE authorities.
- ✅ Payments made only through ICP or GDRFA portals — never via third-party links or consultants.
- ✅ Renewal and work permit rules understood — Golden Visa status maintained through valid income, property, or employment continuity.
This checklist ensures applicants stay compliant and protected throughout the process, minimizing risks of rejection or administrative penalties.
Secure Your UAE Golden Visa with Expert Guidance
The UAE Golden Visa program continues to redefine long-term residency, offering investors, professionals, and innovators the chance to build a future in one of the world’s most strategically located economies. Yet, success depends on precision — meeting every legal requirement, coordinating endorsements, and ensuring documents are correctly certified before submission.
At Movingto, we bridge this complexity. Our dedicated legal and compliance teams work alongside UAE-licensed law firms to deliver a fully managed application process — from eligibility checks to residence issuance and renewals. We handle family inclusion, medical-insurance compliance, and investment verification with the same care we apply to high-value residency and citizenship programs across Europe and the Gulf.
Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or professional seeking a bespoke residence solution, our experts ensure every step meets the UAE’s highest legal and regulatory standards — giving you peace of mind, timely results, and a smooth transition into your new life in the Emirates.
Secure Your UAE Golden Visa with Expert Guidance
The UAE Golden Visa program continues to redefine long-term residency, offering investors, professionals, and innovators the chance to build a future in one of the world’s most strategically located economies. Yet, success depends on precision, meeting every legal requirement, coordinating endorsements, and ensuring documents are correctly certified before submission.
At Movingto, we bridge this complexity. Our dedicated legal and compliance teams work alongside UAE-licensed law firms to deliver a fully managed application process, from eligibility checks to residence issuance and renewals. We handle family inclusion, medical-insurance compliance, and investment verification with the same care we apply to high-value residency and citizenship programs across Europe and the Gulf.
Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or professional seeking a bespoke residence solution, our experts ensure every step meets the UAE’s highest legal and regulatory standards, giving you peace of mind, timely results, and a smooth transition into your new life in the Emirates.
Ready to Secure Your UAE Golden Visa?
At Movingto, we provide trusted legal coordination and residency planning for investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking long-term residence in the UAE.
Our dedicated team partners exclusively with vetted, UAE-licensed law firms to handle eligibility checks, document certification, and family inclusion — ensuring a smooth and compliant application from start to finish.
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