The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially refuted recent claims suggesting the introduction of a lifetime Golden Visa for Indian and Bangladeshi citizens. In a statement released by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the UAE government made it clear that there is no visa category offering permanent residency to any specific nationality. The ICP’s clarification comes in response to widely circulated media reports and social media posts claiming that Indians and Bangladeshis could secure a lifetime Golden Visa by paying AED 100,000 (approximately ₹23.3 lakh). These reports, allegedly quoting beneficiaries and intermediaries, falsely suggested that a one-time fee would grant lifetime residency in the UAE under the prestigious Golden Visa program.
The ICP dismissed these reports as completely baseless and emphasized that all Golden Visa applications must be processed solely through official government platforms. No private consultants, internal agents, or external agencies are authorized to facilitate the application process on behalf of individuals. The authority also warned the public about fraudulent schemes attempting to exploit the hopes of foreign nationals, especially from South Asia, by offering fake promises in exchange for large sums of money.
The government has taken a firm stance against such deceptive practices and announced that legal measures will be taken against individuals and entities involved in spreading false information. The ICP urged the public to rely only on credible and official sources, such as the UAE’s official website (www.icp.gov.ae) or their call center at 600522222, for accurate visa-related information.
The UAE’s Golden Visa program, which offers long-term residency for 5 or 10 years, was introduced to attract talented professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and exceptional students. However, there is currently no policy that allows lifetime residency under this scheme. Eligibility is determined based on specific qualifications and contributions to the UAE’s development.
The UAE government reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparent and lawful immigration processes and protecting individuals from exploitation. The ICP’s public advisory aims to prevent people from falling victim to scams and reinforces the importance of obtaining immigration services exclusively through recognized, legal channels.
