The United Arab Emirates has introduced a 10-year renewable Waqf Golden Visa that grants long-term residency to donors who support Islamic endowments and approved humanitarian projects. Announced in Dubai and effective October 23, 2025, the pathway applies to both current UAE residents and international philanthropists.
It sits under the “financial supporters of humanitarian work” category defined by Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 and is administered through an agreement between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) and the Endowments and Minors Affairs Foundation (Awqaf Dubai). Applicants who contribute at least AED 2 million to certified Waqf or humanitarian initiatives, hold a university degree, and secure a nomination from Awqaf Dubai or another authorized humanitarian authority may be eligible for long-term residency in the UAE without a local sponsor.
It sits under the “financial supporters of humanitarian work” category defined by Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 and is administered through an agreement between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) and the Endowments and Minors Affairs Foundation (Awqaf Dubai). Applicants who contribute at least AED 2 million to certified Waqf or humanitarian initiatives, hold a university degree, and secure a nomination from Awqaf Dubai or another authorized humanitarian authority may be eligible for long-term residency in the UAE without a local sponsor.
Purpose and strategic context
The move adds a powerful charitable arm to the UAE’s long-stay policy, which already includes investors, scientists, founders, top students, and skilled professionals. Through the Waqf Golden Visa, major donors are recognized as drivers of social development and community welfare.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this targeted approach signals a stronger alignment between immigration benefits and measurable development outcomes—particularly in education, healthcare, and social services that benefit from endowment income.
Officials showcased the initiative during GITEX GLOBAL 2025 in Dubai. The roll-out follows a strategic agreement between GDRFA-Dubai and Awqaf Dubai that created a joint committee to manage nominations, validate donations, and monitor the social returns of endowment-backed projects. Under this structure, the Waqf Golden Visa formalizes a single, clear route for philanthropists to support community projects and receive a defined residency benefit in return.
What is Waqf?
At its core, a Waqf is a perpetual charitable endowment in Islamic law. Donors set aside assets—such as land, buildings, or cash—for the public good. Once designated as Waqf, those assets cannot be sold or inherited; instead, they produce ongoing revenue that supports causes like schooling, hospital services, religious institutions, and social care.
In the UAE, Awqaf Dubai acts as a key manager and promoter of endowments, working with families, companies, and international benefactors to build sustainable funds that serve the community for generations.
Key conditions and eligibility
Under the Waqf Golden Visa pathway:
- Minimum donation: AED 2 million to a certified Waqf or an authorized humanitarian project.
- Education: Applicant must hold at least a university degree.
- Nomination: A required nomination from Awqaf Dubai or another authorized humanitarian body.
- Residency: No local sponsor needed once approved.
The nomination step is essential. Awqaf Dubai assesses whether the donation and recipient project meet Waqf or humanitarian standards, and whether the donation will lead to lasting social benefit. Once satisfied, Awqaf Dubai issues the nomination that allows the applicant to proceed with GDRFA.
Required documents
Donors should prepare and submit:
- Proof of the qualifying contribution (donation certificate or official receipt)
- Passport and identity documents
- University degree or higher education credential
- Personal photographs in the format required by GDRFA
- The nomination letter from Awqaf Dubai or the authorized humanitarian body
Important: Ensure names, passport numbers, and donation references match across all documents to avoid processing delays.
Application process (step-by-step)
- Make the donation: Contribute at least AED 2 million to an approved Waqf endowment or authorized humanitarian initiative managed or certified by Awqaf Dubai.
- Secure a nomination: Awqaf Dubai evaluates the donation and, if compliant, issues a nomination under the Cabinet Resolution.
- File the residence application: Submit the residence request through the official GDRFA Smart Services portal. In-person support is available at Amer service centers in Dubai.
- Upload documents: Include the donation certificate, passport and ID, university degree, photographs, and the nomination letter.
- Committee review and decision: A joint GDRFA–Awqaf committee verifies the donation and credentials.
- Visa issuance and benefits: If approved, receive a 10-year renewable Golden Visa with sponsor-free status and family sponsorship options.
The process is linear: donate → obtain nomination → submit via GDRFA → committee review → decision. Donors should expect the donation step and any asset valuation or legal checks to take the most time.
Benefits of the Waqf Golden Visa
- 10-year renewable residency permit
- No local sponsor required
- Right to live, work, and study anywhere in the UAE
- Visa remains valid even if the holder spends more than six months outside the country
- Ability to sponsor spouse, children, and parents
- Standard consular support from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs when traveling
- Social recognition for backing long-term endowments and public-good projects
These features provide flexibility for global donors who split time across countries, and stability for families wishing to settle in the UAE.
Implementation and oversight
The joint GDRFA–Awqaf committee manages:
- Nomination issuance and verification
- Validation of donation certificates and endowment compliance
- Monitoring social returns and project governance
Awqaf Dubai assesses project governance and expected social impact, while GDRFA validates identity, background, and immigration compliance. This two-track oversight protects program integrity and public trust.
Practical examples
- A technology founder from Southeast Asia donates AED 2 million to an Awqaf Dubai-managed endowment for technical education. After nomination and approval, they relocate, sponsor their family, and the endowment provides annual scholarships and lab funding.
- A family endows cash to support a clinic network. The matriarch obtains nomination and the Waqf Golden Visa, enabling her to live near the clinics, oversee the charity with Awqaf Dubai, and sponsor dependents. The visa’s outside-residence flexibility helps her operate across countries.
Impact and broader context
Linking immigration to Waqf-based giving revives a long tradition of public-good financing while adapting it to modern governance and accountability. For UAE residents and foreign donors alike, the route provides:
- A rules-based framework for long-term philanthropic engagement in the UAE
- A way to pair donation with predictable mobility and family stability
- Incentives for donors to favor projects with strong monitoring, reporting, and sustainable outcomes
The policy accentuates the UAE’s broader strategy to attract talent, investment, and social capital by offering diversified Golden Visa tracks.
Practical guidance for applicants
- Contact Awqaf Dubai to review eligible projects and certification standards.
- Complete the donation and obtain formal transfer documentation.
- Secure the nomination and then apply via the official GDRFA Smart Services portal.
- Keep consistent documentation: matching names, passport numbers, and donation references across all certificates and IDs.
- Be prepared for due diligence, especially for non-cash gifts (e.g., income-generating properties), which may require valuation and title checks.
Governance and likely evolution
As more applicants move through the system, the joint committee will likely refine procedures, issue model endowment agreements, and provide clearer timelines and sector priorities. This evolution will aim to standardize documentation, accelerate nominations, and help donors choose projects with demonstrable impact.
Summary takeaway
- Eligibility: Donate at least AED 2 million, hold a university degree, and secure nomination from Awqaf Dubai (or equivalent).
- Benefit: 10-year renewable, sponsor-free residence valid even when spending over six months abroad, with family sponsorship options.
- Objective: Align long-term residency with verifiable, sustainable philanthropic impact—blending Islamic endowment tradition with modern administration and oversight.
For philanthropists interested in pursuing this option, the first step is to engage Awqaf Dubai to review eligible projects and certification criteria. After making the qualifying donation and receiving the nomination, complete the GDRFA application online and maintain precise, consistent documentation to facilitate timely processing.
This Article in a Nutshell
The UAE announced a Waqf Golden Visa granting 10-year renewable residency to donors who contribute at least AED 2 million to certified Waqf or authorized humanitarian projects. Effective October 23, 2025, this pathway is governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 and managed through a joint framework between GDRFA–Dubai and Awqaf Dubai. Applicants also must hold a university degree and secure a nomination from Awqaf Dubai or an authorized humanitarian body. The application process is donation, nomination, GDRFA submission, committee review, and visa issuance. Approved holders receive sponsor-free residency, family sponsorship rights, work and study privileges, and visa validity even after extended absences. The joint committee will monitor donations, validate compliance, and assess social returns, aligning immigration incentives with measurable philanthropic impact in education, healthcare, and social services.
