UAE Golden Visa · Startups & Entrepreneurs

UAE Golden Visa for Tech Startup Founders & Entrepreneurs

A 10-year, self-sponsored UAE residence for startup founders and entrepreneurs in Dubai — endorsed on the strength of your innovative, scalable business, not a sponsor.
10-year residence
No sponsor required
No investment needed
Check Your EligibilityBook an Assessment Call
30-minute call with a Global Mobility Expert — no obligation.
Why This Route

Why the UAE Golden Visa works for startup founders

The UAE Golden Visa entrepreneur route gives startup founders a long-term, self-sponsored base in Dubai and across the UAE — endorsed on the strength of an innovative, viable and scalable business. Tech Nomads helps you assess your startup against the endorsement criteria, prepare the business plan, financial projections and evidence, secure the endorsement and move to the residence visa stage with regulated support where required.

10-year residence

Long-term stability without annual renewals.

Build your company

Self-sponsored to found and run your startup in the UAE.

No sponsor required

No employer or local partner needed.

Sponsor your family

Spouse and children of any age can be sponsored.
See If Your Business Qualifies
Official source
UAE.gov
Golden Visa overview
Primary conversion

Start with a 30-minute UAE Golden Visa startup assessment

A Global Mobility Expert reviews your startup profile against the UAE Golden Visa eligibility criteria. You receive a score for each category and an overall endorsement probability, then a clear view of what to strengthen before submission. The final endorsement decision rests with the UAE authority.

What we discuss

Business idea & USP
Founder credentials
Investment & financials
Innovation
Viability
Scalability
Endorsing body fit
Timeline

Possible outcomes

ACCEPT

Ready to prepare

Your startup looks ready — we can move into case preparation.
CONDITIONAL

Strengthen first

Competitive, but the plan or financials need strengthening first.
DECLINE

Foundation first

Foundation work needed before case preparation makes sense.
These outcomes are about whether we can take your case forward — not the endorsement decision, which rests with the UAE authority.
Book an Assessment Call
Startup
80 Match

Strong endorsement candidate

Your startup profile is likely to meet the endorsement criteria across innovation, viability and scalability. A focused push on financial projections completes a submission-ready case.
Strong
Needs Evidence
Priority Gap
Innovation — original concept & USP
Strong
Viability — realistic, executable plan
Strong
Scalability — growth, jobs & markets
Strong
Founder credentials
Strong
Investment & financials
Needs Evidence
Endorsing body fit
Needs Evidence
Illustrative model — your real assessment is run by a Global Mobility Expert.
Book a Call
Endorsement Logic

The 3 mandatory UAE Golden Visa endorsement criteria

For the startup route, the endorsement case is reviewed against three mandatory criteria. All three must be satisfied — a strong case proves each one with clear evidence and a credible business plan.

Innovation

Criterion 1 · Mandatory
An original business concept with a non-replicable USP — a genuinely differentiated product or technology, not a copy of an existing model.

Viability

Criterion 2 · Mandatory
A realistic, executable plan backed by the skills, market awareness and financial model to deliver it.

Viability

Criterion 3 · Mandatory
A structured plan for growth, job creation and expansion into national and international markets.

All three must be met

Endorsement requires 3 of 3 criteria satisfied. The strongest cases connect the business plan, financial projections and founder evidence directly to each criterion.
Check Your Business Eligibility
Who Decides

The UAE endorsing authorities for founders

A startup endorsement is supported by a UAE government authority or an accredited business incubator, depending on your case. Tech Nomads identifies the correct route, prepares the submission and coordinates until the recommendation is issued.
Ministry of Economy
Entrepreneurs and innovators with patented solutions, a technical or future-focused project, or proven business impact.
Accredited UAE business incubator
A letter from an accredited UAE incubator supporting an entrepreneur project — a common route for early-stage founders.
Federal Authority (ICP)
Oversees the Golden Visa programme and coordinates endorsements across categories.
Emirate-level authorities
Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and equivalent bodies in other emirates.
Tech Nomads is not a UAE government entity. We identify the correct authority for your category, prepare and submit the recommendation case; the authority independently reviews and decides it.
Check Your EligibilityBook an Assessment Call
Official source
MOEC
Ministry of Economy
ICP
Federal Authority
Deliverables

What Tech Nomads prepares for your endorsement

Everything below is prepared by Tech Nomads UAE on your behalf. You review, approve and sign off before anything is submitted. The case is built around a credible business plan, financial projections and founder evidence mapped to the three criteria.

Business Plan

Technology, MVP & product validation analysis
Market research & competitor analysis
Problem, solution & target market
Innovation, viability & scalability sections

Financial Projections

3-year P&L, cash flow & balance sheet
Startup costs & assumptions
Built by a financial modelling specialist
Aligned to the endorsement criteria

Founder & Evidence

CV / résumé & LinkedIn rewritten
Founder & team track-record pack
Supporting business documents
Evidence mapped to each criterion

Submission & QC

Submission pack assembled & formatted
Online application support
Interview preparation & case submission
Quality-control review of all documents
Check Your EligibilityBook an Assessment CallSee pricing for this service ↓
After Endorsement

What we handle at the visa stage

Once the endorsement is issued, the case moves into the residence visa stage — entry permit, medical, biometrics, Emirates ID and visa stamping. Case-preparation work is non-regulated advisory work by Tech Nomads LLC-FZ (Dubai); UK-regulated legal work, where engaged on the Elite package, is handled by Tech Nomads Limited (IAA-regulated, London).

Endorsement ≠ Visa

Endorsement supports your case but does not itself grant residence. A separate visa application, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID complete the 10-year residence.
RESIDENCE VISA STAGE
Visa application preparation & filing
Entry permit processing
Appointment booking — biometrics & medical
Medical examination guidance
Emirates ID application & processing
Visa stamping
Family visa applications
On-the-ground UAE government liaison

Regulated where it matters

Case preparation is non-regulated advisory work by our Dubai entity. UK-regulated immigration legal work, where engaged, is handled by Tech Nomads Limited, an IAA-regulated UK firm.
Elite-specific
The Elite package adds visa documents reviewed by a UK lawyer, full legal representation, post-endorsement support and a free appeal plus one re-application.
Discuss visa-stage support — Book a Call
Official source
UAE.gov
Residence visa & Emirates ID
Tech Nomads fees

Choose the level of support you need

Both service levels cover full endorsement case preparation. Government fees are separate and paid directly to UAE authorities.
Pro — Endorsement Stage
Full endorsement case preparation, ready for submission.
Pricing shared on your assessment call
Business plan: technology, MVP & traction
Market research & competitor analysis
Financial projections & business plan
CV & LinkedIn rewritten
Supporting business documents
Submission pack & online application support
QC review of all documents
Endorsement stage only — no regulated visa-stage representation.
Discuss My Case
Elite — Endorsement + Visa
Endorsement plus regulated visa-stage support.
Pricing shared on your assessment call
Everything in Pro, plus:
Supporting docs reviewed by UK lawyer
Visa documents pack assembled by UK lawyer
Full legal representation
Regulated post-endorsement support
Free appeal + one re-application
Recommended for clients who want end-to-end visa-stage support.
Discuss My Case
⭐ Recommended
Family add-on — dependants
Spouse & children — separate visa, Emirates ID & medical handled.
On call
Book an Assessment CallCheck Your Business Eligibility
All fees in GBP. Government fees are paid separately to UAE authorities. Final service scope is confirmed after assessment and depends on your residence location, case complexity, family members and whether regulated visa-stage support is required.
Official Costs

Government fees paid to UAE authorities

Government fees are not paid to Tech Nomads. They go directly to UAE government entities. Estimates below are per applicant and vary by emirate and route.
GOVERMENT FEE
ESTIMATED (USD)
NOTES

Visa fee

~$760
Per applicant — paid upon visa submission

Emirates ID

~$310
Paid upon ID application

Medical examination

~$1,090
Paid at examination

Additional processing fees

Varies
Depends on emirate and route

Dependant fees

Per applicant
Varies by dependant type
Each dependant requires a separate visa, Emirates ID and medical exam. Fees can change — always check official UAE sources before payment.
Get a full cost breakdown on a call
Official source
UAE.gov
Golden Visa & fees
The Decision

What happens after your assessment call

After the call, a Processing Team specialist reviews your profile, evidence summary and the Global Mobility Expert's notes. This is an internal commercial review — Tech Nomads decides whether we can take the case forward, not whether you are eligible for the visa.
1
Assessment Call
30-minute call with a Global Mobility Expert.
2
Processing Team Review
Internal commercial review of your profile.
3
Decision
Shared within 1 working day.

Internal commercial decision types

ACCEPT

Ready for case preparation

Your profile appears ready. We move into the business plan and endorsement document preparation.
CONDITIONAL

Gaps to close first

Specific gaps in the plan or evidence should be strengthened before preparation begins.
DECLINE

Not in a position to take it

We are not in a position to take the case at this time. We share what would need to change.
These outcomes describe whether Tech Nomads can commercially take the case. The eligibility and endorsement decisions rest with the UAE authority and ICP.
Ready to start? Book an Assessment Call
The Process

Startup Golden Visa application process

The process runs from onboarding to visa issuance. The endorsement stage proves the strength of your startup; the visa stage completes the residence application after the endorsement is issued.
01
Step 1

Initiation

Welcome call, profile review, forms initiation and a document checklist.
02
Step 2

Forms & product validation

Team, company, product and market forms; product validation and competitor analysis.
03
Step 3

Business plan & financials

Full business plan, 3-year financial projections, CVs and evidence pack, then QC review.
04
Step 4

Submission & endorsement

Submission pack assembled, online application support, mock interview and case submission.
05
Step 5

Visa & post-approval

Visa application, entry permit, medical, biometrics, Emirates ID, stamping and family applications.

The recommendation is not the visa

Endorsement supports your case; the residence visa is issued through the separate visa-application stage.
Start at Step 1 — Book an Assessment Call
Official source
UAE.gov
Golden Visa process & times
Why Us

Why prepare your case with Tech Nomads?

Business plan
Financial modelling
Evidence strategy
UAE government liaison
Official source
IAA
Check the UK register
Tech Nomads is a global mobility platform built for founders and talented professionals, specialised in UK, UAE and USA programmes. We combine business-plan writing, financial modelling, evidence strategy and on-the-ground UAE liaison, with UK-regulated immigration support where required. We work with two offices — London and Dubai — and a team of 20+ from 12 countries.

1,000+ relocations supported

Founders and professionals guided through UK, UAE and USA routes.

Dedicated financial modelling

3-year projections, P&L, cash flow and balance sheet built to criteria.

A dedicated case team

Case Leader, Caseworker, Financial Modelling Specialist and QC on every case.
Tech Nomads Group

Two entities. One group.

Tech Nomads LLC-FZ

Advisory Entity · Dubai, UAE

Non-regulated advisory & case preparation. Meydan Grandstand, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.

Tech Nomads Limited

IAA Regulated · London, UK

UK immigration law firm · Licence F202200044. 30 Churchill Place, London.

Check Your EligibilityBook an Assessment Call

Build your UAE network with Tech Nomads Club

Relocation is not only paperwork. Join a curated global community for expert talks, founder firesides, pitch days, networking and practical relocation conversations.
Explore Tech Nomads ClubSee Upcoming Events
Free to join · Application-based · Built for people creating across borders.
Verify Everything

Official UAE government sources

Verify everything against primary sources. These are the official UAE resources for the Golden Visa talent route. Tech Nomads is not affiliated with any of these entities.
UAE.gov

Golden Visa — Overview & Eligibility

u.ae
Ministry of Economy

Golden Residency for Entrepreneurs

moec.gov.ae
ICP

Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship

icp.gov.ae
Dubai DET

Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism

det.gov.ae
Abu Dhabi ADDED

Department of Economic Development

added.gov.ae
MOHRE

Ministry of Human Resources

mohre.gov.ae
Always check official sources before any payment, document submission or application decision. Government fees, processing times and eligibility criteria can change.
Check Your EligibilityBook an Assessment Call
FAQ

Startup Golden
Visa FAQs

Each answer reflects official UAE Golden Visa guidance.
Book an Assessment Call

Who is eligible for the Golden Visa talent route?

Founders of an innovative, viable and scalable startup. The endorsement is assessed against three mandatory criteria — innovation, viability and scalability — and usually supported by the Ministry of Economy or an accredited UAE business incubator.

What are the three mandatory criteria?

Innovation — an original concept with a non-replicable USP; viability — a realistic plan with the skills and market awareness to execute it; and scalability — a structured plan for growth, jobs and national markets. All three must be met.

Do I need a minimum investment?

The entrepreneur route is typically based on a technical or future-focused project (project value from around AED 500,000) or a letter from an accredited UAE business incubator, rather than a fixed capital deposit. We confirm the right basis on your assessment call.

Do you prepare the financial projections?

Yes. A financial modelling specialist prepares 3-year projections including P&L, cash flow, startup costs and a balance sheet, aligned to the endorsement criteria.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Spouses and children of any age can be sponsored under your visa. Each dependant requires a separate visa, Emirates ID and medical examination.

How long is the Golden Visa valid?

The Golden Visa is a 10-year, renewable, self-sponsored residence permit — no employer or local partner required and no annual renewals.

How much does it cost?

Tech Nomads fees are confirmed on your assessment call and depend on case complexity and whether you choose the Pro (endorsement) or Elite (endorsement plus visa stage) package. Government fees are separate and paid directly to UAE authorities — typically around $760 visa, $310 Emirates ID and $1,090 medical, per applicant.

What happens if the endorsement is refused?

The packages include a free appeal and resubmission. We review the reasons, strengthen the business plan or evidence where needed and resubmit, subject to your case and timeline.

Find out if your startup is ready for a UAE Golden Visa

If you are considering the UAE Golden Visa entrepreneur route, the first step is a 30-minute call with our Global Mobility Expert. We will score your startup against the three criteria, map the endorsing route and explain what case preparation would look like — so you can decide whether to proceed.

Check Your EligibilityBook an Assessment Call
Assessment calls are commercial conversations, not regulated immigration advice. UAE case preparation is non-regulated advisory work by Tech Nomads LLC-FZ; UK-regulated immigration work, where engaged, is provided by Tech Nomads Limited (IAA-regulated).

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