Unlicensed intermediaries are fueling the confusion
Across major Indian cities, a growing number of unregulated agents and consultants are promoting the UAE Golden Visa as something you can purchase ignoring the strict eligibility criteria set by the UAE authorities. This practice not only misrepresents the actual process but also puts applicants at serious legal and financial risk. Only licensed legal firms, authorised typing centers, and official government-affiliated entities are permitted to manage long-term residency applications. Anyone offering a Golden Visa purely in exchange for money without checking qualifications or following due process is likely acting outside the law.
The actual criteria: background, contribution, and vetting
Golden Visas are extended to professionals in fields like medicine, education, science, entrepreneurship, digital content creation, and technology. But securing one isn’t a simple transaction — it involves a thorough, multi-step evaluation process.
Applicants must clear criminal and anti-money laundering checks, submit their academic and professional credentials for verification, and undergo both social and financial background reviews.
The popular and made up “₹23 lakh-route” fails to mention any of these crucial checks. No payment regardless of amount can bypass the UAE’s strict immigration and residency rules.
Why the confusion persists This widespread misconception stems in part from recent nomination-based initiatives linked to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE. Programs run by groups like Rayad and One Vasco do exist and are legally recognised but they are not open to everyone. These are selective pathways, available only to professionals who meet specific qualifications and sectoral needs.
Unfortunately, some influencer posts have turned this into a simplified, transactional story leaving out the complexity and eligibility filters that actually define the process.
Indian professionals and families most at risk
As someone advising clients from within the UAE, I have seen a significant surge in inquiries from Indian families especially mid-level professionals and small-scale investors who assume that UAE residency can be “bought”. Many don’t realise that whether it’s a property-linked visa, a business investment route, or even a nomination-based visa, each pathway comes with strict eligibility requirements. None of these options can be fast-tracked simply by paying money.
Clarify before you apply
Before taking any financial steps or submitting applications, individuals should always seek guidance from licensed advisors or professionals based in the UAE. Moreover, they should check the official website of the Federal Authority of Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). The UAE government has issued no formal notification stating that a payment of AED 100,000 guarantees approval.
It’s critical to correct the misinformation now before more innocent applicants fall victim to misleading promises, financial loss, or legal trouble.
—The author, Yeeshu Sehgal, is UAE Practice Lead at AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm. The views are personal.
