The UAE now offers foreign superyacht owners a 10-year Golden Visa through the Golden Quay to Abu Dhabi programme — a residency pathway targeting high-net-worth maritime investors who want a long-term base in the emirate.
Launched in December 2024 by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Yas Marina, the initiative grants eligible yacht owners and industry executives access to long-term UAE residency alongside Abu Dhabi's investment and lifestyle ecosystem.
Who Qualifies for the UAE Golden Visa Superyacht Programme
The programme is open to a specific set of maritime stakeholders:
- Private yacht owners with vessels of 40 metres or longer - CEO-level executives and key administrators of yacht-building companies - Shareholders and investors in yacht service providers and insurance companies - Central yacht agents operating in the UAE
Immediate family members living with the principal applicant are also eligible for dependent residency under the same 10-year term.
How to Apply Through Yas Marina and ADIO
The application process works through an official nomination system. Qualified candidates must first submit their application at Yas Marina, which serves as the entry point for the programme. Once nominated, ADIO reviews and processes the Golden Visa application.
Approved candidates then initiate their formal visa process through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) smart services portal.
Strategic Goals: Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030
The Golden Quay initiative is part of Abu Dhabi's broader Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to establish the emirate as a premier international yachting hub in the Middle East. By attracting high-net-worth yacht owners and maritime industry leaders, Abu Dhabi is positioning its marinas — particularly Yas Marina — as anchor destinations for the global superyacht circuit.
The programme complements existing UAE Golden Visa categories and adds the maritime sector to the country's growing list of eligible investor and specialist pathways.
