The UAE's newest Golden Visa route is specifically built around the yachting industry — Abu Dhabi's 'Golden Quay' initiative, launched through the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in partnership with Yas Marina and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, offers a 10-year Golden Visa to eligible superyacht owners and senior figures in the yachting industry.
The core eligibility threshold is straightforward and specific: private ownership of a yacht measuring 40 metres or longer. This isn't a general 'own a boat' category — it's aimed squarely at genuinely large superyachts, and vessel size is the defining, verifiable criterion rather than a vaguer wealth or lifestyle assessment.
Beyond individual yacht owners, the programme also extends to senior figures across the yachting industry itself — CEOs and major shareholders of yacht-building companies, central yacht agents, and yacht service and insurance providers. This reflects the programme's stated goal of integrating the broader superyacht sector into Abu Dhabi's investment and tourism ecosystem, not just attracting individual boat owners.
Nomination for this category runs through Yas Marina and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office specifically, rather than a general open application — these two entities serve as the official nominating bodies for the Golden Quay programme. As with other Golden Visa categories, immediate family members of a successful nominee are eligible for dependent Golden Visas alongside the primary applicant.
Visa & Immigration
UAE Golden Visa for Superyacht Owners: The Abu Dhabi Golden Quay Programme
Published 29 Aug 2026 · 2 min read · By UAE Info Portal Editorial Team, Research & Editorial
Key Takeaways
- Abu Dhabi's 'Golden Quay' programme, launched by DCT Abu Dhabi with Yas Marina and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, is the specific route for this category.
- Core eligibility: private ownership of a yacht measuring 40 metres or longer — a specific, verifiable size threshold rather than a general wealth assessment.
- Also extends to senior yachting-industry figures: CEOs/major shareholders of yacht-building companies, central yacht agents, and service/insurance providers.
- Nomination runs through Yas Marina and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office specifically, not a general open application route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size yacht qualifies for this Golden Visa category?
The core threshold is private ownership of a yacht measuring 40 metres or longer — a specific, verifiable size criterion.
Can yacht industry professionals qualify without owning a yacht themselves?
Yes — the programme also extends to senior industry figures including CEOs and major shareholders of yacht-building companies, central yacht agents, and yacht service or insurance providers.
Who do I apply through for this specific category?
Nomination runs through Yas Marina and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the official nominating entities for the Golden Quay programme, rather than a general open Golden Visa application.