The initiative, developed in partnership with the government of the United Arab Emirates, allows eligible applicants to obtain long-term residency by staking $100,000 in TON tokens for a period of three years. An additional one-time application fee of $35,000 applies.
This is the first blockchain-native residency program of its kind in the region and reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to attracting tech-savvy investors and innovators through forward-thinking immigration policies.
Unlike typical Golden Visa programs, which often require substantial real estate investments or proof of high income, the TON-based model is built around a decentralized, merit-based system. Applicants are selected based on their personal or professional achievements, rather than financial assets alone.
The staked funds remain under the applicant’s control via a decentralized smart contract – a key differentiator that ensures transparency, auditability, and liquidity. After the three-year staking period, the tokens can be withdrawn in full.
The entire visa issuance process takes under seven weeks from application to approval, significantly faster than traditional channels which can take three to six months or more. The visa also extends to immediate family members, including spouses, children, and parents, without additional investment requirements – only standard UAE government fees apply.
Participants will also earn an estimated 3–4% annual yield on their staked TON, further enhancing the attractiveness of the offer.
Following the announcement, Toncoin surged more than 10%, trading near the $3 mark, reflecting investor enthusiasm and confidence in the project’s long-term potential.
The program comes as part of TON’s broader strategy to expand in the Gulf region. Earlier this year, the TON Foundation officially registered in Abu Dhabi’s financial free zone (ADGM), solidifying its presence in the UAE. Institutional staking infrastructure like Chorus One’s “TON Pool,” launched at TOKEN2049 Dubai, further underscores TON’s growing ecosystem maturity.
This staking-based Golden Visa model marks a shift in how nations may approach residency and immigration in the digital age. By leveraging blockchain for transparency, flexibility, and investor empowerment, TON’s initiative offers a compelling alternative to traditional investment schemes.
For crypto entrepreneurs, developers, and global professionals seeking a tax-efficient, innovation-friendly base in the Middle East, this new program represents a rare and strategic opportunity.
TON Coin (Toncoin) is the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network – a decentralized blockchain originally developed by the team behind Telegram Messenger, under the leadership of Pavel Durov. Initially envisioned as a solution to enable fast, secure, and scalable blockchain interactions for Telegram’s global user base, TON was designed to process millions of transactions per second with low fees and seamless integration into messaging and payment ecosystems. Although Telegram officially discontinued direct development in 2020 due to regulatory pressure, the open-source project was revived and continued by independent developers under the TON Foundation. Today, Toncoin powers a rapidly growing Web3 ecosystem, supporting smart contracts, DeFi tools, NFTs, cross-chain solutions, and governance – and now plays a central role in the UAE’s new crypto-based Golden Visa program.
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