- The UAE has opened its doors to skilled professionals seeking to live and earn dirhams in the country
- Not all skilled workers qualify — the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa requires applicants to meet a specific salary threshold
- Foreigners must earn at least AED 30,000, equivalent to over N11 million monthly, to be eligible
The United Arab Emirates has extended an invitation to skilled professionals worldwide to relocate and build careers in the country, but those eyeing long-term residency through the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa must first clear a significant financial hurdle.
While the UAE’s appeal as a destination for high-earning expatriates is well established, qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa is not simply a matter of having the right skills.
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Abu Dhabi Golden Visa salary requirement
Foreign professionals must demonstrate that their monthly earnings meet or exceed AED 30,000 (N11,005,936) in Nigerian naira.
This threshold effectively places the Golden Visa out of reach for many skilled workers who may be earning competitive salaries in their home countries but fall short of the UAE’s set benchmark for long-term residency consideration.
The Abu Dhabi Golden Visa is a long-term residency programme designed to attract and retain talent in the UAE. Unlike standard work visas, it offers holders greater stability and independence within the country.
For Nigerians and other Africans considering the japa route through formal employment in the UAE, the AED 30,000 monthly salary requirement represents a considerable benchmark.
What the Golden Visa means for foreign professionals
At current exchange rates, that figure places eligible earners well above the average income bracket in most African countries, meaning only those in senior or highly specialised roles are likely to qualify without additional financial arrangements.
The UAE has increasingly positioned itself as a global hub for talent, rolling out various visa categories in recent years to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals across sectors including technology, healthcare, and engineering. The Golden Visa remains one of its most sought-after residency options, reflecting the country’s broader ambition to build a skilled and stable expatriate workforce.
Virtual work permit: UAE sets monthly income requirement
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that the UAE government has set a minimum monthly income foreigners must earn to qualify for a virtual working residence permit.
The permit allows remote workers to live in the UAE while working for companies based outside the country.
Source: Legit.ng