Yes, if the project is technological or future-focused and based on disruptive innovation. GDRFA Dubai accepts three cases: a registered pioneering project with AED 1 million in annual income, an incubator-backed project with AED 2 million in income, or a past project sold for at least AED 7 million.
In Dubai the application needs a nomination from the Dubai Future Foundation. NXTSTAR helps founders prepare the case for nomination and files the visa application.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
The three qualifying cases
- A pioneering project registered with the Ministry of Economy or the relevant local authority, with annual income of AED 1 million.
- A project established through a business incubator or the Ministry of Economy, with income of AED 2 million.
- A founder who built a pioneering project and sold it for at least AED 7 million.
The founder can be inside or outside the UAE when applying.
The nomination
GDRFA Dubai lists two documents: a passport copy and a nomination letter from the Dubai Future Foundation. The visa application is short. The work is in showing that the project is innovative and that the income or exit figures are real.
An ordinary trading or services company does not meet the test, however profitable. Those owners should look at the business investor category instead.
Preparing the case
- Gather registration documents for the project and audited income figures, or the sale agreement for an exit.
- Describe plainly what is new about the product or technology.
- Apply for the nomination.
- With the nomination letter, submit the visa application to GDRFA.
GDRFA gives an expected completion time of five days for the visa step. It does not give a time for the nomination.
Keeping the visa
- You must stay able to support yourself and your family without government support.
- Golden Visa holders are exempt from the rule that cancels a residence visa after 180 days outside the UAE.
- The permit can be extended if you still meet the conditions when it expires.
- The authority can check during the term that you still qualify.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
We set up the company, including DIFC technology licences, help organise the supporting documents and submit the visa application.
We do not issue nominations and cannot influence them. A nomination does not guarantee the visa.
Common questions
My startup has no revenue yet. Can I apply?
Not under this category. Each of GDRFA Dubai's three cases depends on income or a completed sale.
Who nominates entrepreneurs in Dubai?
GDRFA Dubai requires a nomination letter from the Dubai Future Foundation.
Does my company have to be in a particular free zone?
GDRFA refers to registration with the Ministry of Economy or the relevant local authority, or a project set up through a business incubator. It does not name a zone.
How much does NXTSTAR charge?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates government fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 6 October 2026.
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