Dubai AI Specialist Visa: eligibility criteria and application process in 2026
The UAE's 3-year AI Specialist Visa offers tech professionals a direct, zero-capital route to long-term residency in a 0% tax environment. Unlike the 10-year Golden Visa, which demands an AED 30,000 basic salary specifically, this targeted 2026 pathway lets you qualify using your total gross monthly compensation, which meaningfully lowers the barrier to entry for AI engineers and data scientists. 📊 Reading the 2026 AI Specialist Visa eligibility matrix The table above breaks eligibility into four separate tests, each with its own verification document, and all four need to be satisfied together rather than any one substituting for another. Minimum Compensation requires AED 30,000 a month, calculated on your total or gross pay rather than a stricter basic-salary figure, verified through an active MoHRE employment contract. Educational Background requires a bachelor's degree or higher specifically in a STEM field, verified through a fully attested degree certificate, not a s...