Can You Still Apply for a Golden Visa After Trade License Cancellation?

In the UAE, the prestigious Golden Visa UAE program offers long-term residency for investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, and skilled professionals. But what happens if your business closes and you cancel trade license UAE—can you still apply for golden visa UAE? This guide unpacks the golden visa after company closure UAE scenario, covering golden visa eligibility UAE, golden visa requirements UAE 2025, and what you need to know to pursue residency even after business closure.

1. Understanding the Golden Visa UAE Program

The Golden Visa UAE is a long-term, renewable residency (5 or 10 years) that grants independence from local sponsors and allows individuals to sponsor family members. Established under Cabinet Decision Resolution (56) of 2018, it’s designed to attract global talent and investment. 

Categories include:

• Investors: AED 2?million+ in public investment or businesses

• Real estate investors: AED 2?million+ in property

• Entrepreneurs: Projects AED?500,000+ with UAE incubator approval

• Specialized talents, students, and more

To apply for golden visa UAE, applicants must meet specific golden visa requirements UAE 2025, such as minimum investment, project value, or outstanding academic/talent credentials.

Can You Apply for a Golden Visa After Trade License Cancellation?

• Cancelling Trade License & Residence Visa

When you cancel trade license UAE, you must also cancel residency visas issued under that license. The GDRFA and ICP require you to submit the original trade license cancellation certificate before processing visa cancellation. After the residency visa is cancelled, you receive a grace period to either exit the UAE or switch visa status.

Dubai generally grants a 60-day grace period after the cancellation of a residence permit. This aligns with the UAE golden visa grace period 2025, offering time to apply for golden visa UAE if you qualify under a relevant category.

• Golden Visa After Company Closure UAE

Yes, even after golden visa after company closure UAE, you can still apply for golden visa UAE—provided you meet the eligibility criteria in another category:

1. Investor category: Maintain AED?2?million in public investment or business

2. Real estate investor: Hold AED?2?million+ in property

3. Entrepreneur: Own a qualifying project

4. Maintain eligibility under talent, student, or specialist categories.

Soft requirements, such as entrepreneurship or talent-based eligibility, allow entrepreneurs to still pursue a golden visa in the UAE even after a business closure.

Eligibility & Requirements After Cancellation

• Key Golden Visa Requirements UAE 2025

Current golden visa requirements UAE 2025 include:

1. AED?2?million investment (real estate or fund), certificate from Tax Authority

2. For entrepreneurs: AED?500,000 project with approval from UAE incubator/auditor

3. For investors: Trade license and financial statements

What Happens to Golden Visa After Business Closure UAE?

Suppose you already hold a golden visa for business owners UAE and your business closes. In that case, your visa remains valid as long as you meet the renewal conditions (e.g., maintaining the investment or property). Should your circumstances change, you may need to transfer eligibility to another category, like investment or real estate.

• Applying After License Cancellation

1. To apply for the golden visa UAE post-license cancellation:

2. Cancel the trade license and residency visa

3. Maintain eligibility through investment, real estate, talent, or innovation.

4. Use the grace period to submit a new Golden Visa application in the UAE via the ICP portal.

Government platforms specify the steps to apply for a golden visa in the UAE, whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or specialist.

Benefits & Considerations

• Long-term security: 5–10 year residency without needing a local sponsor

• Family support: Eligible to sponsor spouse, children, parents

• Flexibility: Switch categories (e.g., from entrepreneur to investor) post-closure

• Ease of travel: Golden visa holders can stay outside the UAE for extended periods

The Golden Visa UAE remains accessible even after you cancel trade license UAE, provided you meet golden visa eligibility UAE and maintain investment, business, or professional criteria. The UAE golden visa grace period 2025 offers a vital window to transition smoothly into another category and apply for golden visa UAE within the regulatory timeframe.

Considering your options post-business closure? AMCA is here to guide you through every step. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, talent, or property owner, our experienced team helps you assess golden visa requirements UAE 2025, collect documentation, and submit a winning golden visa application UAE—even after you cancel trade license UAE.

Contact AMCA today to explore your pathway: resume residency, secure your family's future, and thrive in the UAE with confidence.

FAQs

1. Can I apply for a golden visa after trade license cancellation?

Yes. As long as you fulfil the golden visa eligibility UAE (investment, project, talent), you can apply within the grace period.

2. What happens to the golden visa after business closure UAE?

It remains valid as long as the renewal criteria are met. Otherwise, you may transition to another category or wind down once validity ends.

3. UAE visa after license cancellation

Cancelling the license cancels the residency visa; you must then exit or transition. The Golden visa is a prime option.