A recent viral story in Indian media falsely claimed that the UAE Golden Visa was available to Indian nationals for a fixed payment of ₹23 lakh, promising a simplified path to long-term residency. This narrative, widely disseminated by numerous outlets, proved to be entirely untrue.

On July 8, 2025, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) issued a definitive denial, clarifying that the Golden Visa is governed by strict legal and merit-based criteria, not a flat fee or nationality. The ICP warned against deceptive campaigns and stressed that all legitimate applications must go through authorized government platforms.

The false story originated from promotional material by Rayad Group, a Dubai-based consultancy, which was then amplified by mainstream and digital Indian media without proper verification. Despite readily available official information, the unverified claim spread rapidly, fueled by algorithmic amplification.

The consultancy quickly retracted its campaign and apologized after the ICP's public clarification. This incident highlights a troubling lapse in journalistic verification practices, where speed often overshadowed accuracy. Such misreporting not only misleads the public, potentially exposing them to financial risks, but also strains diplomatic relations. This episode serves as a critical reminder for Indian media: responsible reporting, especially on sensitive topics like immigration, demands rigorous verification before publication.