The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) has moved quickly to quash viral social-media posts suggesting that foreigners can secure a lifetime Golden Visa for as little as AED 100,000 via overseas consultancy firms. In a statement updated on 27 January 2026, the authority reiterated that Golden Visa applications must be filed through official UAE government portals and that no third-party agency outside the country is authorised to guarantee approvals.
The rumour, which originated on Indian news sites and was amplified by migration consultancies in South Asia, claimed that investors and professionals could bypass the standard AED 2 million property or investment thresholds by paying a facilitation fee. ICP officials described the reports as “without legal basis” and warned that misleading applicants constitutes fraud under UAE cyber-crime legislation.
Since its launch in 2019, the 10-year renewable Golden Visa has become a cornerstone of the UAE’s talent-retention strategy, expanding to 12 categories including specialised professionals, entrepreneurs, outstanding students, and, since 2025, content creators and e-sports athletes. The clarity from ICP aims to protect the programme’s integrity at a time when demand is surging: Dubai Land Department data show a 28 % year-on-year increase in property-linked Golden Visa filings in 2025.
![UAE authority debunks ‘AED 100,000 lifetime Golden Visa’ social-media claims]()
Individuals who wish to pursue a legitimate UAE Golden Visa may find it helpful to begin with VisaHQ’s dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), where up-to-date eligibility criteria, document checklists and professional support services are consolidated in one place. Although final applications are filed through official government portals, VisaHQ can assist with preparing compliant documentation and navigating prerequisite processes, reducing the risk of costly errors.
Legal advisors applaud the swift rebuttal, noting that reputational damage from visa-for-sale narratives could undermine investor confidence. Companies relocating executives on Golden Visas should use the announcement to reinforce due-diligence protocols when selecting immigration vendors, ensuring all fee payments go directly to government channels. ICP has also reminded applicants that any category change – for example moving from property investor to skilled professional – triggers a fresh vetting process rather than an automatic transfer.
Prospective applicants can verify eligibility on the ICP smart app or by calling the 24 / 7 hotline (600 522 222). Authorities hinted at legal action against consultancies spreading false information, underscoring the UAE’s zero-tolerance stance on immigration fraud.
The rumour, which originated on Indian news sites and was amplified by migration consultancies in South Asia, claimed that investors and professionals could bypass the standard AED 2 million property or investment thresholds by paying a facilitation fee. ICP officials described the reports as “without legal basis” and warned that misleading applicants constitutes fraud under UAE cyber-crime legislation.
Since its launch in 2019, the 10-year renewable Golden Visa has become a cornerstone of the UAE’s talent-retention strategy, expanding to 12 categories including specialised professionals, entrepreneurs, outstanding students, and, since 2025, content creators and e-sports athletes. The clarity from ICP aims to protect the programme’s integrity at a time when demand is surging: Dubai Land Department data show a 28 % year-on-year increase in property-linked Golden Visa filings in 2025.
Individuals who wish to pursue a legitimate UAE Golden Visa may find it helpful to begin with VisaHQ’s dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), where up-to-date eligibility criteria, document checklists and professional support services are consolidated in one place. Although final applications are filed through official government portals, VisaHQ can assist with preparing compliant documentation and navigating prerequisite processes, reducing the risk of costly errors.
Legal advisors applaud the swift rebuttal, noting that reputational damage from visa-for-sale narratives could undermine investor confidence. Companies relocating executives on Golden Visas should use the announcement to reinforce due-diligence protocols when selecting immigration vendors, ensuring all fee payments go directly to government channels. ICP has also reminded applicants that any category change – for example moving from property investor to skilled professional – triggers a fresh vetting process rather than an automatic transfer.
Prospective applicants can verify eligibility on the ICP smart app or by calling the 24 / 7 hotline (600 522 222). Authorities hinted at legal action against consultancies spreading false information, underscoring the UAE’s zero-tolerance stance on immigration fraud.
