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Dubai-based Rayad Group, a private visa advisory firm, has issued an official apology for making false claims that the UAE government was offering lifetime Golden Visas for a fee of approximately Rs. 23.30 lakh (AED 100,000). The group admitted its error after the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) denied the existence of any such programme.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Rayad Group accepted full responsibility for the misinformation that had caused public confusion and confirmed that it is withdrawing its private Golden Visa advisory services altogether.
“We apologise unreservedly for the public confusion caused by recent reports and commentary, and we take full responsibility for ensuring future communications are clear, accurate, and consistent with the UAE’s stringent regulatory frameworks,” said the company.
The controversy began after Rayad’s Managing Director, Rayad Kamal Ayub, claimed in media interviews that Indians could now obtain lifetime residency in the UAE through a nomination-based Golden Visa programme tested for Indian and Bangladeshi applicants. These statements were widely circulated, including in a PTI report published on July 6.
However, the ICP firmly refuted the existence of such a programme. It clarified that Golden Visa categories and conditions are governed by official legislation, and no consultancy or commercial firm—whether based in the UAE or abroad—is authorised to guarantee visa approvals or operate independently of official government channels.
“These claims have no legal basis and were made without coordination with the relevant authorities in the UAE,” the ICP stated.
Rayad Group clarified that the Rs. 23.30 lakh figure mentioned in the reports was not a government fee, but rather the company’s own facilitation charge. The firm stressed that no fixed-price or lifetime visa product is endorsed, offered, or supported by any UAE authority.
“We also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge that certain public comments made by Rayad Group’s Managing Director were misplaced and have contributed to the misinterpretation of our role and the nature of the initiative in question.”
The ICP urged all individuals looking to live, invest, or work in the UAE to rely only on official government platforms and to avoid paying fees or handing over personal documents to third-party consultants promising residency services.
In addition, the ICP warned that legal action will be taken against any organisation or individual found spreading misinformation or attempting to collect money under fraudulent visa schemes.
The incident highlights the dangers of relying on unofficial visa consultants, especially in the era of digital misinformation. The ICP reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and integrity in the visa process and encouraged all inquiries to be made through official sources, such as the ICP website or the 24/7 call centre (600522222).
