Indian residents now have streamlined access to expert guidance for the UAE’s prestigious Golden Visa, thanks to a new collaboration between VFS Global’s Education, Trade & Migration Services (ETM) and the Rayad Group. The partnership launches a specialised immigration advisory service tailored for UAE Golden Visa applicants in India, enabling eligible individuals to pursue a 10-year UAE residency under the government nomination pathway. Notably, applicants are not required to invest in real estate or establish a business to qualify. Successful applicants can sponsor spouses, children (including adult dependents), parents, and household staff to join them in the UAE. The initiative marks the first offering from the newly established Centre of Excellence by VFS ETM and Rayad Group, with a network of centres across several major Indian cities. These centres fuse legal advisory expertise with the latest advancements in Generative AI to streamline the immigration process and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The collaboration is positioned as a strategic response to growing demand for trusted guidance on UAE residency, especially under the government nomination framework. By leveraging AI-powered tools alongside seasoned consultants, the program aims to provide applicants with a clearer understanding of the process and more informed decision-making.
UAE Golden Visa: A robust avenue for Indian applicants
The UAE Golden Visa represents a long-term residence program designed to attract high-caliber individuals who can contribute to the UAE’s diversified economy and social development. Under this framework, a 10-year residency is granted to eligible applicants who meet government criteria through a nomination-based process. The scheme is designed to be accessible to a broad cohort of highly skilled and promising professionals, including business owners, professionals across essential sectors, scientists, entrepreneurs, creatives, and social media influencers. The initiative emphasizes a pathway that does not hinge on real estate investments or immediate business startups, broadening the spectrum of who can pursue residency. This approach aligns with broader UAE immigration objectives that reward expertise, innovation, and the potential to contribute to the nation’s growth trajectory. The ability to sponsor family members further enhances the appeal of the program for those seeking long-term relocation with dependents. The emotional and practical implications of such sponsorship provisions are significant for families planning a stable base of operations and lifestyle in the UAE.
The government nomination mechanism underscores the importance of credibility and demonstrable value that nominees bring to the UAE economy and society. For Indian applicants, this represents a structured, formal process that combines policy alignment with professional advisory support to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. The presence of a government-nominated pathway signals a level of endorsement and legitimacy that can be crucial when evaluating long-term relocation plans. As the UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for business, innovation, and high-quality living, the Golden Visa remains a central pillar in attracting talent and investment from diverse regions, including India. The new advisory arrangement thus addresses an essential need for clarity, transparency, and expert guidance as applicants consider applying under the government nomination track.
The collaboration further highlights the growing importance of professional services in the migration ecosystem. With the UAE’s residency framework evolving, applicants require reliable information, due diligence, and nuanced counsel to align their unique profiles with the eligibility criteria. The presence of a dedicated advisory pathway can reduce misinterpretations of policy details and decrease the likelihood of delays or misguided applications. This is especially important for applicants who must demonstrate qualifications across multiple dimensions, such as professional achievements, academic credentials, and potential contributions to the UAE’s economic and social landscape. The emphasis on a streamlined process—supported by cutting-edge technology—aims to minimize friction from initial inquiry through to final decision, thereby enhancing the overall applicant experience.
The partnership: VFS ETM and Rayad Group
The collaboration between VFS Global’s Education, Trade & Migration Services and the Rayad Group represents a deliberate convergence of global mobility expertise and established immigration and legal advisory excellence. VFS ETM brings its extensive experience in handling government-to-citizen processes, operational scalability, and a track record of processing a vast volume of applications across multiple jurisdictions. The Rayad Group contributes its decades of know-how in global immigration and legal consulting, with a focus on UAE Golden Visas, as well as US EB-5 programs and citizenship-by-investment options in more than 45 countries. This combination creates a robust advisory framework designed to guide applicants through the nuances of the UAE government nomination process.
The initiative is anchored by the Centre of Excellence, a new collaborative platform jointly established by VFS ETM and Rayad Group. The Centre of Excellence is designed to operate across a network of offices located in key Indian metropolitan hubs, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune. These centres are intended to provide a seamless blend of strategic guidance, regulatory insight, and practical support for applicants at various stages of their journey. Importantly, the service emphasizes a holistic approach that integrates legal advisory with technology-enabled solutions to streamline workflows, verify compliance, and enhance risk management throughout the immigration process.
This partnership also signals a strategic commitment to improving accessibility and transparency for Indian applicants. By consolidating expertise under a single umbrella, the program aims to reduce fragmentation, align expectations, and offer a coherent roadmap from initial assessment to final approval. The integration of Generative AI within the advisory process is designed to augment human expertise, enabling faster data analysis, more accurate interpretation of policy nuances, and the generation of personalized guidance for applicants. The ultimate aim is to deliver a more informed and confident applicant experience while maintaining rigorous standards of regulatory compliance.
Centre of Excellence: AI-driven immigration advisory across Indian cities
The Centre of Excellence represents a central strategic asset in this enterprise, designed to extend specialized immigration advisory services across major Indian markets. The model combines top-tier legal counsel with state-of-the-art Generative AI capabilities to address the intricacies of UAE residency rules and the government nomination process. The AI component is intended to support consultants by processing large volumes of policy information, validating eligibility criteria, and generating tailored guidance that aligns with each applicant’s professional profile and personal circumstances.
The physical footprint of the Centre of Excellence spans multiple Indian cities, reflecting a deliberate effort to bring services closer to applicants wherever they are located. By situating centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune, the program seeks to reduce barriers to access and to provide a consistent standard of service across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. The centres function as a convergence point where applicants can receive integrated support—ranging from initial eligibility assessments and documentation guidance to strategy development for meeting the government nomination criteria. The use of Generative AI is positioned as a force multiplier, enabling faster responses, more precise policy interpretation, and a more efficient orchestration of the various steps involved in the application process.
In practical terms, the AI-enabled system is designed to assist with tasks such as eligibility screening, document checklist generation, risk flags related to compliance, and scenario planning for different applicant profiles. The human advisors bring domain expertise, ethical considerations, and nuanced judgment that technology alone cannot replace. The combination of AI and human expertise aims to deliver a higher level of accuracy, consistency, and personalized counsel throughout the applicant journey. The Center’s approach centers on regulatory compliance, ethical governance, and a transparent, applicant-centric experience that emphasizes informed decision-making.
The Centre of Excellence thus embodies a forward-looking model for immigration advisory, blending traditional legal advisory with cutting-edge technology. This approach aligns with broader trends in global mobility services, where automation and data-driven insights complement professional expertise to improve outcomes for applicants. The overarching objective is to help eligible individuals understand the opportunities presented by the UAE Golden Visa, navigate the nomination process with confidence, and complete applications with clarity and efficiency. The Centre’s operating philosophy emphasizes accessibility, reliability, and responsible use of technology to support the aspirational goals of applicants seeking long-term residency in the UAE.
Eligibility landscape: who can apply and what benefits exist
A central feature of the UAE Golden Visa program is its inclusive eligibility framework, which is designed to accommodate a wide range of qualified individuals. The advisory service emphasizes that eligible applicants include business owners, professionals across diverse sectors, scientists, entrepreneurs, creatives, and influencers. This broad categorization reflects the UAE’s intent to attract talent, innovation, and leadership across both traditional and emerging industries. The government nomination pathway is a distinctive mechanism that seeks to reward proven track records, high potential, and the demonstrated value that nominees can bring to the UAE’s economy and society.
Another significant aspect highlighted by the new initiative is the absence of a mandatory real estate investment requirement or the need to establish a business to qualify for the Golden Visa. This element broadens access for individuals who may have expertise, credentials, and leadership potential but do not meet traditional economic criteria such as property ownership or company setup. The lack of a real estate investment stipulation reduces initial barriers and aligns with the broader objective of attracting talent and human capital.
In addition to personal eligibility, the program permits successful residents to sponsor family members. Specifically, spouses, children (including adult dependents), parents, and household staff may qualify for accompanying residency. This family sponsorship provision reinforces the value proposition of long-term relocation for qualifying individuals and their dependents, enabling a more comprehensive relocation package that supports stability and integration into UAE life.
From a strategic perspective, the eligibility framework underpins a broader migration strategy that aims to attract high-skilled professionals, innovators, and creators who can contribute to the UAE’s knowledge economy. The advisory service is positioned to assess candidates against multiple dimensions, including professional achievements, educational credentials, leadership potential, and alignment with UAE strategic priorities. This multi-criteria approach helps ensure that applicants who receive government nomination are well-positioned to maximize their impact within the UAE’s social and economic environment.
The policy design also carries implications for the kinds of documentation and evidence applicants must prepare. While the specific documentary requirements are not enumerated in this summary, applicants can anticipate a rigorous process that evaluates professional credentials, track records, and verifiable achievements. This is where expert advisory support becomes critical, helping applicants assemble robust portfolios that demonstrate suitability for the nomination pathway. The objective is to balance accessibility with rigorous standards to maintain the integrity of the program while expanding opportunities for eligible individuals globally, including those from India.
In practice, the combination of broad eligibility, no mandatory real estate or business investment, and family sponsorship creates a compelling value proposition for Indian professionals and entrepreneurs seeking long-term residency options. The advisory service emphasizes a clear, transparent pathway, reducing uncertainty and building applicant confidence. At the same time, it underscores the need for meticulous documentation, strategic planning, and regulatory adherence to ensure a smooth and timely outcome. This comprehensive approach reflects the UAE’s broader ambition to attract talent, diversify its economic base, and elevate the standard of living for residents and their families.
Process design and applicant journey: steps, documentation, and compliance
The advisory program outlines a structured journey for applicants from initial inquiry to final residency approval. While specific procedural timelines may vary based on individual profiles and the government nomination review, the model emphasizes clarity, rigorous assessment, and proactive guidance at every stage. The process begins with an eligibility assessment conducted by the Centre of Excellence’s expert team, leveraging Generative AI to analyze applicant profiles against established eligibility criteria. This initial screening helps identify potential pathways and sets expectations for the applicant.
Following eligibility confirmation, applicants typically proceed to a documentation phase. The advisory service provides a detailed checklist aligned with the government nomination requirements, outlining the supporting materials necessary to substantiate qualifications. The combination of legal counsel and AI-assisted validation helps minimize omissions and reduces the likelihood of delays caused by incomplete submissions. Throughout this stage, applicants receive tailored guidance on how to compile evidence of professional achievements, leadership experience, and other qualifying credentials.
As the journey progresses, applicants may engage in strategic planning sessions designed to optimize their nomination prospects. These sessions may involve scenario analysis to understand how different professional profiles map to government priorities and how to present a compelling case to decision-makers. The advisory team’s role is to translate complex policy language into accessible, applicant-friendly guidance, ensuring that candidates fully understand the implications of each decision and the potential outcomes of different strategic choices.
The process also encompasses compliance and risk management, with a focus on ensuring that all aspects of the application adhere to UAE regulations and ethical standards. The Generative AI component assists in monitoring for potential compliance flags and ensuring that the narrative around an applicant’s background remains consistent and verifiable. In this regard, the advisory service emphasizes transparency, accuracy, and integrity in all submissions, recognizing that high-quality documentation is essential to securing government nomination.
Documentation quality is complemented by practical support, including guidance on how to prepare for potential interviews or assessments that may accompany the nomination process. The advisory team provides coaching and input on how applicants can articulate their value proposition, leadership experiences, and long-term goals within the context of the UAE’s strategic objectives. This coaching is designed to enhance applicant confidence and readiness, increasing the likelihood of a favorable assessment by the nominating authorities.
The final stage involves submission and tracking, with the Centre of Excellence coordinating the flow of materials, ensuring timely submission, and maintaining ongoing communication with relevant authorities. The use of technology-enabled workflows helps reduce administrative friction, providing applicants with real-time status updates and proactive remediation if any issues arise. The overarching aim is to deliver a smooth, efficient, and transparent journey from the initial inquiry to the final approval, while maintaining stringent governance and regulatory compliance.
Throughout the process, applicants are encouraged to engage with the expert advisory team to ask questions, clarify expectations, and refine their approach as needed. The advisory service is designed to be responsive and client-centric, recognizing that every applicant’s circumstances are unique. By combining professional expertise with AI-enabled tools, the program seeks to deliver timely, accurate, and actionable guidance that helps applicants make informed decisions about pursuing the UAE Golden Visa through the government nomination pathway.
Impacts for Indian applicants and the UAE residency ecosystem
The introduction of this advisory service is positioned to influence the broader landscape of UAE residency for Indian applicants in several meaningful ways. First, by simplifying access to information and providing structured guidance, the program can reduce the information asymmetry that often accompanies complex immigration processes. Applicants may gain greater clarity about eligibility, required documentation, and the steps involved, leading to more confident and efficient decision-making. This enhanced transparency can shorten the overall timeline for inquiries to final decisions, benefiting both applicants and the UAE’s immigration authorities.
Second, the partnership underscores the growing role of professional mobility services in shaping cross-border migration. As Indian professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives increasingly seek opportunities in the UAE, the availability of specialized advisory services helps ensure that applications are well-prepared and aligned with policy objectives. This alignment supports a smoother review process and may contribute to higher-quality submissions, minimizing procedural bottlenecks and delays. The initiative also signals an ongoing commitment to delivering high-value, service-oriented immigration experiences that prioritize applicant education and regulatory compliance.
Third, the program highlights the strategic importance of the UAE’s government nomination pathway for attracting top-tier talent. By offering a robust advisory framework that assists applicants in navigating the nomination process, the UAE strengthens its position as an attractive destination for skilled professionals from India and other countries. The emphasis on no mandatory real estate or business investment further broadens the pool of potential nominees, enabling a wider array of talent to consider long-term residency as a viable option. This policy nuance can influence migration choices, professional trajectories, and investment plans among Indian professionals.
From a market perspective, the Centre of Excellence has the potential to become a go-to hub for UAE visa advisory in India. The presence of a multi-city footprint enhances accessibility and convenience, increasing the likelihood that applicants will engage with expert guidance early in the decision-making process. The collaboration between VFS ETM and the Rayad Group also reinforces the credibility of the advisory offering, leveraging established reputations in both mobility services and immigration consultancy. This combination can foster trust among applicants who seek credible, dependable, and outcome-focused support for complex immigration journeys.
The integration of Generative AI within the advisory framework adds an additional layer of value. By enabling faster processing of information, more precise policy interpretation, and tailored guidance, AI can help applicants navigate nuanced requirements with greater efficiency. At the same time, the human professionals overseeing the process ensure that ethical considerations, nuanced judgments, and regulatory compliance remain central. This balance between automation and expert human oversight is designed to deliver a resilient and reliable service, capable of adapting to evolving policy dynamics and applicant needs.
Finally, the long-term impact on the UAE residency ecosystem may include improved applicant experiences, higher-quality submissions, and a more predictable workflow for both applicants and government authorities. If the advisory service consistently delivers accurate, actionable guidance and reduces processing uncertainties, it could become a benchmark for similar migration programs in other regions. Indian applicants, in particular, stand to benefit from a more streamlined, accessible pathway to the UAE Golden Visa through a transparent, well-supported process that aligns individual aspirations with the UAE’s strategic objectives.
Background perspectives: Rayad Group and VFS Global
The Rayad Group, established in 1994, brings a deep reservoir of experience in global immigration and legal consulting. Its portfolio includes advisory services on UAE Golden Visas, US EB-5 programs, and citizenship-by-investment options across more than 45 countries. This breadth of expertise positions Rayad Group as a seasoned advisor capable of guiding clients through diverse residency and investment landscapes. The company’s track record in advising on multiple citizenship and residency pathways provides a robust foundation for strategic guidance in today’s UAE-focused program.
VFS Global, recognized as a trusted partner to 69 client governments, operates an extensive network of application centers and support services that facilitate government-to-citizen mobility. With more than 3,800 application centers across 158 countries, VFS Global has processed hundreds of millions of applications since 2001. This scale and reach underscore the company’s capability to support complex mobility programs efficiently and securely, delivering streamlined processes for travelers, investors, and residents alike. The organization’s long history of partnership with governments offers a stable and reliable framework for delivering immigration services within India and beyond.
Key leadership voices have underscored the strategic rationale behind the initiative. A senior executive from VFS Global emphasized the strong demand for immigration advisory services tied to the UAE Golden Visa, noting that a customer-first policy drives the rollout of solutions that help applicants gain a sound understanding of the immigration process and make informed decisions. This emphasis on customer-centric guidance reflects a broader commitment to transparency, education, and empowerment throughout the applicant journey. The Rayad Group’s leadership has highlighted the UAE’s unique combination of economic stability, favorable tax policies, and high living standards as factors that position the country as a premier destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking improved quality of life.
The joint venture’s leadership also highlighted the UAE’s safety, political stability, and world-class healthcare and educational systems as integral components that complement the Golden Visa program. The integrated approach — combining legal advisory with AI-enabled support — seeks to create an environment where residents can realize their aspirations with confidence. The collaboration thus aligns with both partners’ strategic objectives: to facilitate responsible, well-informed migration while leveraging technology to enhance service delivery and regulatory compliance. The result is a more coherent, scalable pathway for Indian applicants pursuing a long-term residency option in the UAE.
Industry observers note that such collaborations can set a precedent for how private sector partners contribute to public policy objectives related to immigration. By providing structured guidance, access to expertise, and reliable information, advisory service providers can complement government programs without substituting official processes. The emphasis on no mandatory investment in real estate or business creation, paired with family sponsorship opportunities, broadens the appeal of the UAE Golden Visa and has the potential to attract a wider pool of candidates who meet the policy’s broader criteria for talent and leadership. This dynamic is likely to influence the competitive landscape of migration services in India and other source markets.
Strategic significance and outlook for Indian applicants
The collaboration between VFS ETM and the Rayad Group is strategically significant for Indian applicants aspiring to the UAE Golden Visa in several key dimensions. First, it provides a structured, guidance-rich pathway that demystifies a complex government nomination process. Applicants can benefit from an organized framework that translates policy requirements into actionable steps, reducing uncertainty and the likelihood of missteps that can delay or jeopardize an application. This is particularly important given the nuanced assessment criteria that govern eligibility for government nomination.
Second, the multi-city Centre of Excellence model increases accessibility for Indian applicants, enabling people from different regions to access expert advice without significant travel burdens. The network’s presence in major cities helps ensure consistent service standards, facilitating smoother client journeys and more predictable outcomes. The combination of physical centers and AI-enhanced tools offers a hybrid approach that leverages the strengths of human expertise and automated processing to improve efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness.
Third, the no real estate or business investment requirement expands the potential applicant pool. Individuals who possess the requisite professional achievements and leadership potential but who may not yet have the capital or intent to procure real estate or establish a business are now better positioned to explore residency opportunities in the UAE. This flexibility aligns with broader talent attraction goals and supports the UAE’s objective of expanding its base of skilled residents who contribute to its growth narrative.
From a market perspective, Indian applicants can expect greater clarity about what constitutes a viable nomination profile. The advisory service can help candidates tailor their narratives to highlight impact, leadership, and alignment with UAE development priorities. By offering personalized guidance, the program can enhance the competitiveness of Indian applicants in the global mobility arena. This is particularly relevant in competitive fields such as technology, healthcare, academia, entrepreneurship, and creative industries, where demonstrated impact can be decisive in nomination decisions.
Additionally, the emphasis on ethical governance and regulatory compliance ensures that applicants engage in a transparent process. By combining AI-driven analytics with professional oversight, the advisory service aims to minimize compliance risks and ensure the integrity of each submission. This approach contributes to a more stable migration ecosystem, where applicants benefit from reputable guidance and authorities receive well-prepared, well-substantiated applications that meet policy expectations.
In the longer term, if the Centre of Excellence sustains high standards of service and delivers consistent outcomes, it could become a trusted benchmark for UAE-specific immigration advisory. For Indian applicants, this may translate into improved confidence, lower iteration costs, and shorter cycles from inquiry to approval. The initiative also signals evolving collaboration models between private mobility services and government-led residency programs, offering a blueprint for future collaborations across other markets and visa categories.
Conclusion
The launch of the VFS ETM and Rayad Group partnership marks a significant step in expanding access to expert guidance for India-based applicants seeking the UAE Golden Visa. By offering a specialised immigration advisory service tailored to the government nomination pathway, the initiative supports a broader set of eligible professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, creatives, and influencers. The absence of a mandatory real estate or business investment requirement, combined with family sponsorship provisions, broadens the potential applicant pool and enhances the attractiveness of long-term residency in the UAE.
The Centre of Excellence, operational across multiple Indian cities, represents a forward-looking approach that blends legal counsel with Generative AI to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of the immigration process. This hybrid model aims to deliver faster, more personalized guidance while maintaining strict regulatory compliance and ethical governance. The collaboration leverages the strengths of VFS Global — a long-standing partner to governments and thousands of applicants — and Rayad Group’s extensive expertise in global immigration and investment-based programs, creating a robust ecosystem for UAE residency advisory.
For Indian applicants, the program offers a clear, accessible pathway to explore the UAE Golden Visa through government nomination, supported by credible, multidimensional guidance. As demand for long-term residency and cross-border opportunities continues to grow, such collaborations are likely to shape how prospective residents approach visa processes, balance personal and professional goals, and plan for secure, compliant relocation. The initiative not only enhances the applicant experience but also reinforces the UAE’s strategy of attracting high-caliber talent and leadership from India, contributing to a dynamic, mutually beneficial migration landscape.