Step-by-Step: UAE Golden Visa Endorsement for IT Professionals

The UAE’s Golden Visa grants long-term (10-year) residency to highly skilled foreign nationals. Tech professionals, from software engineers and AI specialists to tech entrepreneurs, can qualify under several Golden Visa categories. Official UAE guidelines define these categories and requirements.

Tech Nomads offers expert support at every stage, helping you navigate the system smoothly. This guide walks through the government process step-by-step, clearly distinguishing official steps and how Tech Nomads can assist you.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Eligibility and Visa Category

First, determine which Golden Visa category fits your profile. Relevant UAE categories include:

Digital Technology Talent: for IT professionals such as software developers, data scientists, AI/machine learning experts, cybersecurity specialists, blockchain engineers, etc.  Applicants must secure an endorsement from the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence (also called the Emirates Council for AI).
Specialised Professional: high-level tech workers or executives. If you have a minimum AED 30,000 monthly salary and a recognised bachelor’s degree (with UAE Ministry of Education equivalency if earned abroad), you can apply under the specialised professionals category. Information technology specialists – e.g., software and app developers, AI experts, and data scientists – are listed as eligible in this category.
Exceptional Entrepreneur: founders of eligible start-ups or SMEs. To qualify, you need approval from a UAE-licensed business incubator or the Ministry of Economy (for an accredited pilot project). This path suits self-employed tech entrepreneurs whose venture is generating revenue or has incubator backing.
Other categories: for example, inventors with valuable patents (endorsement by the Ministry of Economy) or investors who purchase UAE property. These are less common for IT pros but are additional Golden Visa routes.

To see which path suits you, Tech Nomads provides an initial consultation. We review your experience, role, and achievements to advise the best category (e.g., talent vs specialist vs entrepreneur). Our experts have guided many remote or self-employed tech workers to the right approach.

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Step 2: Prepare Documents and Certifications

Once you pick a category, gather the required documents. Core documents typically include:

Passport and ID: Scan of your valid passport and a copy of any UAE entry permit (if already approved).
CV / Portfolio: A detailed resume of your tech projects, publications, patents or startup work. Highlight any awards or media recognition. Tech Nomads can help polish your CV/portfolio to match UAE endorsement expectations.
Educational Certificates: Degree transcripts and diplomas. If your degree is from outside the UAE, you generally need a Ministry of Education (MOE) equivalency certificate for that qualification. For example, Dubai’s Golden Visa rules explicitly require foreign degrees to be attested by UAE MOE.

Employment Letters or Salary Slips: For specialised professionals, an official salary certificate (≥AED 30,000/month) and recent bank statements (salary transfers) are needed. We guide you through obtaining the exact format UAE authorities expect.
Business Documents: For entrepreneurs, provide your company/LLC registration, business plan, financial statements, and an official letter of approval from a UAE incubator or the Ministry of Economy.

Health Insurance: UAE law requires all Golden Visa applicants to have comprehensive medical insurance for themselves (and family) when they apply.

Additional supportive papers (like recommendation letters from current employers, certificates of excellence, or proof of patents/publications) strengthen your case. We’ll review everything to ensure nothing is missing or incorrectly formatted. Our team also assists with Arabic translations or notarisations if needed.

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Step 3: Secure Required Endorsements

A critical official step is obtaining endorsement letters from the UAE authorities or councils, depending on the category:

AI Council Endorsement (Digital Tech Talent): The UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain (Emirates Council for AI & Digital Transactions) must recommend digital tech talents. This recommendation is the “nomination letter” needed for your application.
Industry & 4IR Endorsement: If you qualify as an “elite field” professional (e.g., advanced tech, robotics, cybersecurity, fintech), a letter from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT) is required.

Entrepreneur/Incubator Approval: Entrepreneurs must have an approval letter from an accredited UAE incubator or the Ministry of Economy for their project.
Other Recommendations: In some cases, relevant authorities (like Dubai Culture for creatives or sports councils for athletes) may need to endorse, but for IT professionals, the AI Council and MOIAT/Ministry of Economy are the main ones.

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Step 4: Submit the Golden Visa Application

After gathering all endorsements and documents, you apply through the UAE’s e-services portal. Officially, the Golden Visa application is submitted online via the Federal Authority’s system (using UAE PASS login).

The basic steps are:

Log in to the ICP/ICA Portal: Access the Federal Identity & Citizenship portal (sometimes called smartservices.icp.gov.ae) and choose the Golden Visa service. You must use UAE PASS credentials or a portal account.
Complete the Application Form: Fill in your personal data and attach all required documents (endorsement letters, passport, certificates, insurance, etc.).
Pay the Fees: The issuance fee for the 10-year Golden Visa is modest – Dubai’s portal lists it as AED 1,100 (plus small knowledge/innovation levies).

Submit and Track: Once submitted, you’ll get a reference number. Track the status online or through UAE PASS notifications. Processing times can vary.

Tech Nomads can manage the entire online filing. We log in on your behalf, double-check that every form field is correct, and upload your documents in the required formats. If any requests for additional information come up, we handle those quickly. This avoids common delays (for example, omitting a notarisation stamp or misnaming a file).

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Step 5: Undergo Medical Test and Register Emirates ID

Upon visa approval, the formal residency process continues with medical and ID registration:

Medical Fitness Test: UAE residency requires a health check (blood tests, chest X-ray, etc.) to screen for communicable diseases. You must pass this test to complete your Golden Visa issuance.
Emirates ID Application: Every UAE resident must have an Emirates ID card. After your visa is approved, but before or immediately after you enter the UAE, you need to apply for the ID. In practice, this is done electronically when you complete your residency application, and you later visit an Emirates ID service centre to scan your fingerprints. We remind you of deadlines and can even book the Emirates ID appointment for you.

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Tech Nomads simplifies these post-approval steps by guiding you through the portal prompts and paperwork. For example, when you receive the Golden Visa approval, our team will walk you through the UAE PASS interface to pay any remaining fees and confirm your Emirates ID application. We also advise on health insurance activation (if not already done) so that you meet all requirements immediately upon entry.

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Step 6: Relocation and Business Setup Support

With the Golden Visa in hand (and Emirates ID issued), you’re officially a long-term UAE resident. Now comes the practical relocation and setup phase:

Finding accommodations: We can connect you with real estate agents or suggest neighbourhoods.
Bank Account & Telecommunications: Tech Nomads can advise on opening a UAE bank account and getting a local SIM, ensuring you have the documents (Golden Visa, Emirates ID) needed.
Company Formation: If you plan to launch or continue a business in the UAE, our consultants explain the best jurisdiction (Mainland vs Free Zone), help draft your business plan, and navigate the company registration process. Many remote tech professionals establish a UAE-based entity after their visa; we guide them through this, too.
Family and Benefits: If moving with family, Tech Nomads advises on school options, medical insurance policies for dependents, and visas for spouses/children under your sponsorship (the Golden Visa automatically sponsors them).

Throughout, we emphasise compliance with UAE regulations. For example, the Golden Visa is initially valid for 10 years, so we discuss any entry requirements and the renewal process. We’ll schedule reminders for visa renewal well in advance.

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Step 7: Why Work with Tech Nomads?

Tech Nomads specialises in visa services for tech and digital professionals – especially those who are remote, freelance, or unfamiliar with UAE bureaucracy. Unlike general consultants, we understand the tech industry and the Golden Visa nuances. Here’s how we add value:

Tailored Advice: We assess your unique profile (role, accomplishments, goals) to choose the optimal visa pathway. For example, a self-employed AI researcher might benefit more from the “talent” category, while a high-paid developer could use the “specialist” route.
Document Review: Our team scrutinises your resume, certificates, and endorsements so nothing is overlooked. We ensure transcripts are attested and translated and that every form is correctly filled.
Endorsement Strategy: We don’t just tell you what endorsements you need – we help obtain them. Our network spans UAE incubators, councils, and legal experts. We draft nomination letters highlighting your tech achievements (e.g., GitHub projects, patents, media interviews) in the format expected by the AI Council or MOIAT.
One-Stop Case Management: From start to finish, we coordinate interviews and submissions. You have a single point of contact at Tech Nomads who tracks your case, communicates with UAE authorities as needed, and answers all your questions. We handle the technical jargon so you can focus on your work.
Post-Visa Strategy: We also help with your move-to-market strategy in the UAE. Whether that’s setting up a local entity, understanding the UAE’s job market, or planning further immigration steps, we provide consultative support.

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About Tech Nomads

Tech Nomads is a global mobility platform that provides services for international relocation. Established in 2018, Tech Nomads has a track record of successfully relocating talents and teams. Our expertise in adapting to regulatory changes ensures our clients’ satisfaction and success.

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