UAE Golden Visa Scam: The Truth Behind the Rs 23 Lakh Offer

In July 2025, the news on Indian social media went crazy with the announcement of the UAE to provide the Indian citizens with a lifetime Golden Visa at a minimal 23 lakh (approximately AED 100,000). It did not take long before the story promising an easy access to a coveted residency in the city of Dubai was set on its viral course. But days later, the officials in the UAE denied with certainty the presence of such a scheme, making the offer a legend. This detailed report untangles the background of this misinformation, what the authorities did, the reality of the UAE Golden Visa, and what can be learnt by those who yearn to have a foreign place.

The Golden Visa Buzz: A History of How the Story Got Out of Control

How the story got out of control:

Lifetime Visa Magic

• The Promise: An Indian can get a UAE Golden Visa good enough to last a lifetime by paying only 23 lakh Rs.

• The Attraction: The price of the offer was very low compared to the normal costs of investing, and therefore it appeared to be affordable to a very wide category of Indians.

• The Mainstream: The spread: Social media, WhatsApp groups, and even consultants gave the tale credibility.

Why the Offer was Baited?

• Dreams of Success: A large number of Indians dream of working and living in major capitals across the world, such as Dubai, and thus they are open to compelling residency objections.

• Economic Costing: The alleged cost was of an average car, which is extremely low as opposed to the usual investment of millions of crores.

• Social Proof: As the story spread, the offer was broadcast by certain consultants even in advertisements, which made the offer even more believable.

Also Read: UAE Golden Visa Without Property Purchase: New Option for Indians

The Reality Check: Official Denials and Clarifications

Here is the reality check:

The Response by UAE Government

• The ICP of the UAE Federal Authority issued an absolute negative against this by saying:

• Any application for a Golden UAE visa is entirely handled by the official authorities of the country, and no internal or external advisory body can be recognised as admissible in the case of the application.

• The ICP pointed out that no such plan exists that will grant a Golden Visa to Indian citizens on payment of 23 lakh rupees.

The Consultant and Apology

• The viral news was traced to a consultant in Dubai named Rayad Kamal Ayub, MD of the Rayad Group, who had introduced an advisory program in relation to the Golden Visa in India and Bangladesh.

• Following the rejection by the UAE, Rayad Group, in a press statement, said:

• We are sincerely sorry about the confusion among people, as has been reported and commented on lately, and we wholeheartedly accept the challenge of making our future messages clear and precise enough and identical to the strict regulatory models that the UAE has.

How Did the Misinformation Spread?

This is how the misinformation spread:

In The PTI Report

• The news was an offshoot of a PTI wire service report that had reported that a new Golden Visa built on a system of nomination was being piloted out to Indians and Bangladeshi citizens.

• The report indicated a significant decrease in funding needs, namely, from approximately 4 crore to simply 23 lakhs, which stirred the viral story.

Social Media Amplification

• The story spread to different sites, and memes, discussions, and adverts by certain consultants were seen.

• Numerous citizens found the allegation credible, as such residency based on investment offers tend to be popular all around the globe.

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Understanding the Real UAE Golden Visa

Let us understand the real UAE golden visa:

What Is a Golden Visa?

• The UAE Golden Visa is a new initiative made in 2019 to provide an investor, entrepreneur, or other skilled individual with a long-term residence in the UAE.

• It gives the recipients the freedom to live, work, and study in the UAE without the involvement of a national sponsor.

What Are The Qualifications?

• Investment Route: The route involves a lot of financial investment in UAE property or business and is likely to run into several crores of rupees.

• Nomination Route: There is a nomination route, but it is very selective and under the discretion of the UAE government. No set cost, and is not mass applicable.

Formal Process of Application

• Any application has to be made using legal channels in the government of the UAE.

• No third-party consultation companies or consultancy firms will accept and handle the application for the Golden Visa on their behalf.

What is the Rationale Behind such Scams?

The rationale behind such scams:

High Demand and Low Awareness

• Aspirational Demand: A lot of Indians want to be mobile in the world, have a better lifestyle, and tax benefits.
• The lack of Awareness: Not all people know about the formalities of visas and a general estimation of a regular price.

Social Proof and Media Augmentation

• Viral News: There is the ability to view something as true by sharing and presenting it through social media and messaging apps.
• Consultant Involvement: This is when a consultant is used or other forms of advisory groups have been mentioned to give it a sheen of legitimacy.

Also Read: Australia’s Climate Visa: Tuvaluans Seek Security Due to Rising Seas

The Aftermath: Lessons for Applicants

The lessons for applicants are:

What Is Your Action?

• Consultation with official sources: Whatever we read online, it is always important to verify the visa deals with official UAE government sites or embassies.

• Avoid Online Scams: When things are too cheap or too good to be true then they are probably a fraud.

• Use Professionals: Go to reputable consultants, who are registered and approved.

The Stake of Media and Consultants

• Consultants and media houses should be careful in accuracy and transparency of their messages lest they misinform others.
• The trust, however, can be mended with a public apology, for example, that of Rayad Group, but then there is no way of reversing the created confusion.

The Real Cost and Process of the UAE Golden Visa

The real cost and process of the UAE golden visa:

Typical Investment Requirements

• The INR 23 lakh figure is not recognised in any official Golden Visa category.

Application Steps

• Eligibility Check: Acknowledge on the requirements on verified websites of the UAE government.

• Document Preparation: Prepare documentation necessary to support the application, including evidence of investment, qualifications, or performance.

• Certified Submission: Submit on UAE government portals or official service centres.

• Approval/Issuance: Wait for confirmation and visa approval.

Conclusion

What happened to this Rs 23 lakh UAE Golden Visa is a warning and a curse to other people who entertain the idea of living abroad. Though the prospect of finding affordable long-term accommodation in Dubai is attractive, the applicants have to be cautious enough to rely on the official information. This sharp and immediate refutation by the UAE government speaks volumes about carrying out your due diligence and approaching with a sceptical nature when offers appear to be too good to be true. There are kinds of Golden Visas that do exist, but they are offered exclusively at official, state-regulated circuits and not with the price tag of a mid-range automobile.

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