UAE Debunks Crypto Staking for Golden Visa, Clarifies Nomination Route for Indians

The UAE has clarified that cryptocurrency staking or token holdings do not qualify investors for the Golden Visa, a long-term residency permit. Recent promotions suggesting that locking $100,000 in TON tokens for three years would grant a 10-year visa have been debunked by federal authorities. The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Securities and Commodities Authority, and Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority jointly released a notice denying these rumors, emphasizing that TON is not licensed in the UAE and that unauthorized crypto arrangements will not lead to a visa.

Regulators have reminded investors that only recognized platforms and approved financial instruments are applicable under the country’s legal and residency-related context. Any crypto-based invitation for a visa should be viewed with considerable caution. The UAE Golden Visa is granted to selected individuals, including real estate investors with a minimum investment of AED 2 million, investors in a UAE-registered business, highly skilled professionals in fields such as science, technology, medicine, and law, top students and graduates, and humanitarian workers and frontline responders. Crypto traders, token holders, or staking participants are not included as eligible categories.

Authorities have also stated that visa applications must be submitted through official channels and must comply with clearly defined legal criteria. Investors and applicants should refrain from depending on any third-party schemes or unofficial brokers. While crypto investment has been ruled out for green cards by the United Arab Emirates, Indian and Bangladeshi nationals have been given hope. A nomination-based Golden Visa scheme has been launched, allowing qualified professionals from these countries to apply without the requirement to purchase property or maintain a business in the UAE.

The application fee for the nomination-based visa is AED 100,000. No purchase of property or business setup is required. Nominations may be made through authorized groups. Background checks will include anti-money laundering checks, thorough background investigations, and a review of social media profiles. Fields of interest include healthcare, finance, education, science, technology, content creation, and maritime, among others. Lifetime residency, family sponsorship rights, and the ability to hire domestic help are parts of the visa. This newly opened path is in furtherance of the increasingly deepening strategic ties between the UAE and India, as well as an interest in recruiting talent from across a spectrum of fields.

For crypto readers, the message is clear: holding digital assets is not a path to residency in the UAE. Avoid speculative programs that promise Golden Visas in exchange for staking or token investments. UAE regulatory authorities do not recognize these offerings; instead, they can lead to financial loss or even legal trouble. This nomination model may still apply to professionals active in areas related to cryptocurrencies, such as blockchain development, financial compliance, or digital security; however, to qualify under this model, they would need to demonstrate their value in a recognized field. Cryptocurrencies and investors recommend a lockdown with VARA regulations and seek legal options for immigration, work, or business in the UAE.

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit for individuals who qualify but does not include involvement in cryptocurrency or unlicensed platforms. A new nomination route is now open, allowing Indian nationals to apply without ties through property or business holdings, which highlights the UAE’s focus on skills-based immigration. Crypto users should stay glued to the legal, official channels they enter. The UAE has made it clear that staking in cryptocurrency would not, in any way, qualify any investor for the Golden Visa. Recent tokenized offerings, such as those of TON, have been criticized for being misleading. In its stead, a new route is available for Indians to qualify for, which is nomination-based and does not require the possession of property in their name or a business. This shift indicates that the UAE is shifting its focus from capital to skills. Therefore, they are advised to follow legal channels and avoid haphazard visa schemes in the crypto industry.