UAE Golden Visa vs US Gold Card: Detailed guide on costs, taxes, citizenship, family benefits

As countries vie for wealthy investors and skilled talent, the United Arab Emirates and the United States have stepped into the spotlight with headline-grabbing visa programs: the UAE’s Golden Visa, and the proposed US Gold Card introduced under President Donald Trump. Both are aimed at people looking to secure a new home and new opportunities in two of the world’s most coveted destinations.

But how do these residency routes stack up on cost, speed, benefits, and future security? Here’s your all-in-one guide to choosing between life in the desert metropolis of Dubai and the American dream.

What Is the UAE Golden Visa?

Launched in 2019, the UAE Golden Visa is designed for a broad range of people—from investors and entrepreneurs to top students, professionals, scientists, and even creative talent. It offers long-term residency, renewable for either five or ten years, with no need for a local sponsor.

To qualify, individuals typically need to invest at least AED 2 million (roughly $545,000 USD) in real estate, run a business paying significant taxes, or hold a high-income job in the UAE. Family members, including spouses and children, can be included in the visa.

One of the biggest attractions? The UAE imposes no personal income tax, letting residents keep every dirham they earn.

What Is the US Gold Card?

In early 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans for the US Gold Card—a residency-by-investment program set to replace the existing EB-5 visa. Unlike EB-5, which ties investment to specific job-creating projects, the Gold Card would simply require a $5 million payment to the US government.

The Gold Card promises instant permanent residency (Green Card status) and a faster route to American citizenship. However, the proposal has not yet become law and would require approval from Congress, meaning details and timelines remain uncertain.

While holding a US Green Card gives access to a powerful passport and top-tier institutions, it also comes with significant tax obligations, including global income reporting to the IRS.

How Do These Two Programs Compare?

Let’s break down how the UAE Golden Visa and the US Gold Card differ on some key points:

Cost of Entry

• UAE Golden Visa: Around $545,000 USD minimum investment in real estate or other qualifying routes.

• US Gold Card: Requires a flat payment of $5 million USD, with no asset ownership in return.

Verdict: The UAE is far cheaper and offers an investment that can appreciate in value.

Processing Speed and Bureaucracy

• UAE Golden Visa: Applications can be handled digitally, with approvals possible in just a few weeks.

• US Gold Card: Still theoretical; timelines and processes are not finalised and could be lengthy once launched.

Verdict: UAE wins on efficiency and certainty.

Taxation

• UAE Golden Visa: No personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax.

• US Gold Card: Holders would likely face US global taxation, potentially cutting into wealth and income.

Verdict: UAE offers a clear tax advantage.

Family Benefits

• UAE Golden Visa: Covers spouses, children (of any age), and domestic staff; no minimum residency requirement to keep the visa active.

• US Gold Card: Covers spouse and children under 21, but extended travel outside the US can cause complications for permanent residents.

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Verdict: UAE provides more flexibility and security for families.

Passport Power

• UAE: Offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 184 countries.

• US: Allows similar access to approximately 182 countries.

Verdict: Both passports are powerful, but UAE edges ahead by a few destinations.

Pathway to Citizenship

• UAE Golden Visa: Strictly a residency visa. Citizenship is possible but rare and granted in exceptional cases.

• US Gold Card: A direct route to permanent residency and, after several years, full US citizenship with all the rights it brings.

Verdict: The US is the clear choice if a second citizenship and political rights are the ultimate goal.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re looking for speed, affordability, and tax advantages, the UAE Golden Visa is hard to beat. It’s fully operational, welcoming diverse professions—not just ultra-wealthy investors—and allows you to maintain ties elsewhere while enjoying life in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic hubs.

However, if your dream includes becoming an American citizen, despite the higher cost and tax exposure, the US Gold Card could eventually open doors to citizenship, voting rights, and access to the US market—if it becomes law.

For now, the UAE remains the more certain, cost-effective, and flexible route for global mobility and financial security. The US Gold Card, while promising, is still a concept waiting to become reality.