UAE Golden Visa by Bank Deposit: AED 2 Million Requirements
You can qualify for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa with an eligible bank deposit of at least AED 2 million. The deposit route is designed for investors who want to qualify through a financial investment instead of buying property.
This guide covers the AED 2 million requirement, fixed-deposit rules, holding period, bank certificate, documents and application process.
Can You Get a UAE Golden Visa Through a Bank Deposit?
Yes. Investors can qualify for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa by holding a qualifying financial deposit of at least AED 2 million with an eligible UAE bank.
The bank-deposit route is separate from property investment. You do not need to buy real estate when your application is based on the qualifying financial deposit.
UAE Golden Visa Bank Deposit Requirement
| Requirement | Bank deposit route |
| Minimum qualifying amount | AED 2 million |
| Where the money must be held | Accredited local bank in the UAE |
| Main proof | Official bank certificate confirming the qualifying deposit |
| Dubai certificate condition | The certificate must confirm that the deposit is frozen for at least 2 years |
| Dubai maintenance condition | The qualifying deposit or investment must remain in place throughout the 10-year Golden Residence |
| Other qualifying forms | Local Sukuk or investment bonds can also be used under the financial-deposit route |
| Golden Residence term | 10 years, renewable while the qualifying conditions remain met |
The AED 2 million must be a qualifying investment owned by the applicant. An ordinary account balance does not automatically satisfy the route.
Does It Have to Be a Fixed Deposit?
No. “Fixed deposit Golden Visa” is a common search term, but the qualifying route is broader than one bank product.
The investment can be held as a qualifying bank deposit. In Dubai, the route can also accept local Sukuk or investment bonds that meet the financial-investment conditions.
The key requirement is that the investment value, bank evidence and holding conditions match the Golden Visa route.
How Long Must the AED 2 Million Stay in the Bank?
The holding period depends on the emirate and application route.
| Route | Holding condition |
| Dubai financial-deposit investor | The bank certificate must show a freeze of at least 2 years, and the qualifying deposit or investment must not be withdrawn during the 10-year Golden Residence period. |
| Abu Dhabi bank-supported deposit route | AED 2 million is maintained for a minimum period of 2 years from the Golden Visa issue date under the bank-supported route. |
Do not break or reduce the qualifying deposit before checking the condition attached to your Golden Visa. If the deposit is the basis of your residence, removing it can affect continued eligibility.
Bank Certificate for the Golden Visa
The bank certificate is one of the main documents for the deposit route. It should clearly confirm the investment used for the Golden Visa.
For a Dubai financial-deposit application, prepare a certificate that confirms:
- Your ownership of the qualifying deposit
- A deposit value of at least AED 2 million
- The deposit is held with the UAE bank
- The required freezing or holding condition
The bank provides the financial evidence. The immigration authority makes the Golden Visa decision.
Which Bank Can Be Used for the Golden Visa Deposit?
The qualifying deposit must be held with an accredited local bank in the UAE.
Before placing the funds, confirm that the bank can issue the certificate required for your Golden Visa route. The certificate must match the immigration requirements, not just confirm that an account has a balance.
You do not need a specific bank because of the visa itself. What matters is that the bank and deposit arrangement are accepted for the route you use.
Can Sukuk or Investment Bonds Qualify?
Yes. The Dubai financial-deposit route can accept local Sukuk or investment bonds as the qualifying AED 2 million investment.
The investment still needs to be documented through the required financial evidence and maintained under the applicable Golden Residence conditions.
Documents Required for the Bank Deposit Golden Visa
For a Dubai bank-deposit investor application, prepare:
- Valid passport copy
- Official bank certificate proving ownership of at least AED 2 million
- Evidence that the deposit meets the required holding or freezing condition
- Proof of housing in Dubai
- Current UAE residence documents where applicable
- Medical, Emirates ID, insurance and other residence documents required during final issuance
Names, passport details and investment values should match across every document.
How to Apply for the UAE Golden Visa by Bank Deposit
- Confirm the deposit route. Make sure the financial-deposit investor route fits your case.
- Place the qualifying investment. Hold at least AED 2 million through an eligible UAE bank arrangement.
- Get the bank certificate. Request the certificate that confirms the qualifying amount and required holding condition.
- Prepare the residence file. Add your passport, housing evidence and other required documents.
- Submit the Golden Visa application. Apply through the correct immigration channel for your emirate.
- Complete residence issuance. Finish the medical, Emirates ID, insurance and immigration steps that apply to your case.
See our UAE Golden Visa application guide for the complete residence process.
Can You Use Borrowed Money for the AED 2 Million Deposit?
The qualifying deposit must be owned by the applicant. A temporary account balance or borrowed amount does not replace proof that you own the qualifying financial investment.
Prepare the deposit in a form the bank can certify as your qualifying investment before submitting the Golden Visa file.
Does the Golden Visa Fixed Deposit Earn Interest?
The Golden Visa rules set the qualifying value and holding conditions. The interest rate or investment return depends on the bank product you choose.
Before placing the funds, compare the product term, return, early-break conditions and whether the bank can issue the required Golden Visa certificate.
What Happens If You Withdraw the Deposit?
If the bank deposit is the basis of your Golden Visa, you must continue meeting the investment condition attached to that route.
For Dubai, the qualifying deposit or investment cannot be withdrawn throughout the 10-year Golden Residence period. Reducing or removing the qualifying investment can affect your continued eligibility.
Bank Deposit Golden Visa vs Property Golden Visa
| Bank Deposit Route | Property Route |
| AED 2 million qualifying financial deposit or accepted investment | AED 2 million qualifying real estate |
| No property purchase required | Requires qualifying property ownership |
| Bank certificate proves the investment | Property ownership and valuation records prove the investment |
| Deposit holding conditions apply | Property ownership and continuity conditions apply |
| Return depends on bank or investment product | Return depends on property value and rental performance |
If you prefer to qualify through real estate, see our UAE Golden Visa property investment guide.
Bank Deposit vs Other Investor Golden Visa Routes
The bank-deposit route is one of several investor options. You may also qualify through a UAE company or partnership, qualifying real estate, or an eligible tax-contribution route.
Use our UAE Golden Visa for Investors guide to compare all investor routes before committing capital.
Bank Deposit Golden Visa Processing Time
For Dubai, the immigration service lists an expected processing time of about 5 days once a complete investor application reaches the authority.
The full journey can take longer because the bank deposit and certificate must be arranged before the residence application is complete.
See our UAE Golden Visa processing time guide for the full timeline.
Golden Visa Costs and Family Sponsorship
The bank deposit itself is the qualifying investment. Government application, residence, Emirates ID, medical, insurance and service fees are separate.
See our UAE Golden Visa cost guide for fee planning.
After your Golden Visa is issued, you can sponsor eligible family members under the applicable residence rules. See the Golden Visa family sponsorship guide.
How Golden Portal UAE Can Help
We help you prepare the bank-deposit Golden Visa correctly before you submit.
- Confirm whether the bank-deposit investor route fits your case
- Check the AED 2 million qualifying requirement
- Review the bank certificate and supporting evidence
- Check Dubai or Abu Dhabi route requirements
- Prepare the Golden Visa document file
- Review the application before submission
- Guide you through residence issuance
- Support family applications after approval
Start with an eligibility check before placing or locking funds for the Golden Visa.
UAE Golden Visa Bank Deposit FAQs
How much bank deposit is required for the UAE Golden Visa?
The financial-deposit investor route requires at least AED 2 million.
Can I get a UAE Golden Visa with a fixed deposit?
Yes. A qualifying UAE bank deposit can support the investor Golden Visa when the amount, bank certificate and holding conditions are met.
Do I need to buy property?
No. Bank deposit and property investment are separate investor routes.
How long must I keep the AED 2 million deposit?
For Dubai, the bank certificate must show at least a 2-year freeze and the qualifying deposit or investment must remain in place throughout the 10-year Golden Residence. Abu Dhabi bank-supported routes can apply a minimum 2-year investment period.
Can Sukuk qualify instead of a fixed deposit?
Yes. Local Sukuk or investment bonds can qualify under the Dubai financial-deposit route when the AED 2 million value and other conditions are met.
Can I withdraw the deposit after getting the Golden Visa?
For Dubai, no. The qualifying deposit or investment must remain in place throughout the Golden Residence period.
Can the deposit earn interest?
Yes, if the selected bank product pays interest or investment returns. The rate and product terms are set by the bank.
Does the bank approve the Golden Visa?
No. The bank provides the financial certificate. The immigration authority decides the Golden Visa application.
- Free eligibility check
- No commitment required
- Response within 24 hours