In a landmark move for both the crypto and residency sectors, the United Arab Emirates has launched a pioneering initiative allowing foreign nationals to secure a 10-year Golden Visa by staking $100,000 worth of Toncoin (TON) tokens for three years. This innovative program, developed in partnership with The Open Network (TON), offers a streamlined and cost-effective alternative to traditional residency-by-investment routes, which typically require real estate purchases or substantial financial commitments exceeding $500,000.
Key Features of the TON Golden Visa Program
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Eligibility: Stake $100,000 in TON tokens for a minimum of three years.
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Processing Fee: One-time administrative fee of $35,000.
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Family Coverage: The visa extends to immediate family members, including spouses, children, and parents, with only standard government fees applying.
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Asset Control: Applicants retain full control of their staked assets, which are held in a decentralized smart contract and can be withdrawn in full after the lock-up period.
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Annual Returns: Estimated annual yield of 3–4% on staked TON during the three-year period.
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Fast Processing: Visa approval is expected within seven weeks from the submission of required documents.
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No Traditional Barriers: No need for real estate investment or minimum income thresholds—just the TON staking requirement.
How the Program Works
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Application Submission: Applicants provide documentation and stake the required TON tokens.
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Smart Contract Lock-Up: Funds are securely held in a verifiable, decentralized smart contract on the TON blockchain.
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Review and Approval: After payment of the processing fee, applications are reviewed and, if approved, processed by UAE-based partners.
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Visa Issuance: Successful applicants and their families receive 10-year residency permits, granting them access to the UAE’s dynamic business and lifestyle environment.
A New Era for Crypto-Driven Mobility
This initiative marks the UAE’s first blockchain-native residency program, signaling a strategic shift toward attracting high-caliber digital asset investors and reinforcing the country’s reputation as a global crypto hub. By leveraging TON staking, the UAE is setting a precedent for integrating decentralized finance with national residency policies, potentially inspiring similar programs worldwide.
“The entry is 5x lower than an equivalent real estate or fixed deposit investment and will certainly get the attention of whales to take a look at TON and consider this as an option.” — Bobby Ong, CoinGecko co-founder
Caution: Applicants are advised to use only official TON channels to avoid scams, as fraudulent websites may attempt to exploit the popularity of this new program.
