DUBAI, July 9: Dubai-based Rayad Group has issued an official apology and taken full responsibility for its role in promoting a controversial “lifetime UAE Golden Visa” scheme, following a firm denial by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). The ICP had earlier warned the public against false claims circulating in the media regarding guaranteed lifetime residency in the UAE.

Rayad Group acknowledged recent media attention and public confusion surrounding a so-called nomination-based Golden Visa initiative. The scheme referenced a fixed fee of AED 100,000 and implied lifetime residency, claims that the ICP has strongly refuted.

Rayad Group clarified that the initiative was an exploratory partnership with licensed immigration service providers to assess the feasibility of offering advisory support to eligible applicants. The group emphasized that all visa decisions are solely under the jurisdiction of UAE government authorities and that their role was limited to private, non-binding advisory support.

“We have never claimed to guarantee visas or offer shortcuts to official procedures,” the group stated. “We fully agree with the ICP’s position that all Golden Visa applications must be submitted through official channels.”

The group also issued an unreserved apology for any public misunderstanding caused, noting that certain statements made by its Managing Director were “misplaced” and “did not accurately reflect the company’s scope of services or authority.” Rayad confirmed that it does not offer, endorse, or participate in any fixed-price or guaranteed visa programs and announced the discontinuation of its private advisory services for the Golden Visa.

In a separate clarification, VFS ETM Services-FZCO, a business unit of VFS Global, confirmed that it had entered into a non-exclusive referral agreement with Rayad Group. It emphasized that its role was strictly limited to informing interested individuals about Rayad’s services and directing them to the group, with no involvement in decision-making or processing applications.

Meanwhile, the ICP reiterated on July 8 that all Golden Visa applications must be submitted through official UAE government platforms. The authority denied the existence of any lifetime Golden Visa arrangement and warned that no internal or external advisory entity is authorized to process applications. The ICP also stated that legal action would be taken against those spreading misinformation to exploit individuals seeking residency in the UAE.

Several Indian and UAE-based media outlets had carried an unverified press release promoting the false claims, which ICP noted was neither supported by UAE law nor validated by competent authorities.

The ICP urged the public to rely solely on official government platforms, such as the ICP website or smart application, to verify Golden Visa requirements and procedures. For accurate information, the public can also contact the ICP call centre at 600522222.