UAE Clarifies Golden Visa Rule for Crypto Investors, Nomination for India

UAE authorities have explicitly denied their Golden Visa eligibility for crypto investors, including for TON-based staking and a nomination-based scheme for India. Authorities confirmed that digital currency investments are governed by specific regulations and are unrelated to golden visa eligibility.

No Golden Visa for Crypto Investors: UAE Authorities

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a joint statement clarifying no golden visa for investors in digital currencies.

ICP specifically clarified that golden visas have clear and officially approved frameworks and criteria, which do not include digital currency investors. The eligible categories include real estate investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and specialists, top students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline workers.

“VARA denied any claims regarding the issuance of golden visas to virtual asset investors in Dubai. It strongly urged investors and consumers to deal exclusively with fully licensed and regulated companies when engaging in services and investments related to virtual assets” as per the UAE official news agency WAM report on July 7.

TON’s announcement highlighted staking $100K in TON for 3 years to get a 10-year gold visa within weeks. The VARA further clarified that TON is neither licensed nor regulated by VARA, denying this route to become eligible for 10-year UAE golden visa.

Nomination-Based Golden Visa for India

Meanwhile, the UAE is offering a nomination-based golden visa, relaxing eligibility for citizens of India and Bangladesh initially. This scheme does not require property or business investments in the UAE. Indians need to pay a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (approx INR 23.3 lakhs) for background checks and the visa process, as per many reports.

Until now, citizens of India were required to invest in property worth at least AED 2 million (INR 4.66 crore) or invest a large amount in a business in the Gulf nation to access the Golden Visa. However, investors in digital currencies are likely to become eligible to claim the UAE golden visa.