The crypto-based residency program offers lower capital requirements and faster processing compared to traditional visa paths.
The Open Network (TON), the blockchain ecosystem originally incubated by Telegram, has launched a new residency program offering UAE Golden Visas through crypto staking, allowing applicants to qualify by staking $100,000 in TON tokens for three years alongside a $35,000 processing fee.
The program eliminates traditional requirements like real estate purchases or minimum income thresholds. Instead, candidates undergo a merit-based selection process through selective review.
Staked assets remain under user control during the lock-up period, with the staking mechanism implemented via a decentralized smart contract that can be verified on the TON blockchain. The process takes under seven weeks from document submission to visa approval.
Visa coverage extends to spouses, children, and parents of the principal applicant at no extra cost beyond standard UAE government fees. The program projects 3-4% annual returns on staked TON tokens over three years.
Applications begin with initial submission and proceed to the review phase after payment of fees and token staking. Upon approval, UAE-based partners manage visa processing, followed by country entry and residency status confirmation.
As described on TON’s website, the crypto-based visa route is an alternative to the conventional UAE Golden Visa, which typically requires a minimum $540,000 investment in real estate or fixed deposits, often with limited liquidity and a longer approval window of three to six months.
In contrast, TON’s offer lowers the capital requirement, reduces the processing timeline to under seven weeks, and allows applicants to retain digital asset liquidity.
