The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) moved swiftly on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, to quash social-media claims that certain nationalities could secure a so-called “lifetime” Golden Visa through overseas consultancy offices. In a statement carried by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the ICP reiterated that all long-term residency applications must be filed through official government digital channels within the UAE and that the maximum validity remains 10 years, renewable under existing criteria. Officials warned that no private entity — domestic or foreign — is authorised to broker Golden Visas and that any party charging fees or guaranteeing approval outside sanctioned portals is operating illegally. The authority pledged legal action against firms spreading misinformation and urged prospective applicants to verify details on the ICP website or via its 24/7 call-centre (600 522 222). The clarification arrives amid a surge in global interest after the UAE broadened eligibility earlier this year for property investors, specialised professionals and high-performing graduates. Fraudulent agencies in several jurisdictions have begun advertising “permanent residence” packages, prompting confusion among would-be expatriates and reputational risk for the UAE’s investment-migration ecosystem. Corporate mobility teams should remind relocating staff that the Golden Visa pathway remains a self-service, documentation-heavy process that can take four to six weeks and requires physical presence in the Emirates for medicals and biometrics. Companies can, however, continue to sponsor executives under the Professional category, provided the employee’s basic salary meets the AED 30,000 threshold. Immigration lawyers note that the crackdown underscores the UAE’s commitment to preserving the programme’s integrity and deterring intermediaries who may compromise data security or over-promise outcomes.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
