How to Obtain a Residence Visa in the UAE: Routes and Requirements for Global Professionals

We navigate you through how to obtain a residence visa in the UAE. From Golden Visas to Green Residencies and Virtual Work Permits, the UAE offers multiple visa pathways for professionals, investors, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. 

The United Arab Emirate’s (UAE) Green Residence Visa offers a five-year, renewable residency option without the need for a local sponsor or employer. It is specifically structured to attract skilled professionals, freelancers, and investors who seek flexible residency pathways aligned with the UAE’s evolving labor market and long-term development goals. 

There are three key categories of individuals eligible for the Green Visa: 

Skilled employees form one of the major target groups for this visa. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid employment contract within the UAE and be classified under the first, second, or third occupational levels set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE). They are also required to possess a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification and earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 (US$4,083). These conditions ensure that the visa is aligned with the UAE’s drive to attract high-caliber professionals in fields such as information technology (IT), finance, engineering, and healthcare. 

The visa also caters to freelancers and self-employed individuals, offering a flexible legal pathway for independent professionals. Applicants in this category must obtain a freelance permit from MoHRE and demonstrate relevant qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree or a diploma in their field of expertise. Furthermore, they must either prove financial solvency or submit evidence of having earned at least AED 360,000 (US$98,000) over the past two years. This income threshold ensures financial independence and aligns with risk mitigation principles in self-sponsorship frameworks. 

A third pathway under the Green Visa is designed for investors or partners in commercial activities. To be eligible, individuals must provide documented evidence of investment activity within the UAE, obtain all necessary regulatory approvals and commercial licenses, and demonstrate ongoing financial contribution and operational involvement in the business. This approach ensures that passive investments do not qualify.  

Unlike standard visas tied to employers, the Green Visa allows greater mobility and is particularly beneficial for freelancers, consultants, and startup founders. It also extends family sponsorship privileges, enabling the holder to sponsor first-degree relatives under the same five-year term.  

Occupational skill levels form the basis for eligibility 

Eligibility for several UAE residence visas, including the Green Visa and Job Exploration Entry Visa, is determined based on occupational skill levels defined by MoHRE. These levels are aligned with international best practices and form the foundation of workforce classification in the UAE: 

• Level 1: Legislators, managers, and business executives; 
• Level 2: Professionals in scientific, technical and human fields; 
• Level 3: Technicians in scientific, technical and humanitarian fields; 
• Level 4: Writing professionals; 
• Level 5: Service and sales occupations; 
• Level 6: Skilled workers in agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry; 
• Level 7: Craftsmen in construction, mining, and other craftsmen; 
• Level 8: Operators and assemblers of machinery and equipment; and 
• Level 9: Simple professions. 

Professionals falling under Levels 1 to 3 can access not only the Green visa but also other special entry options, including the Job Exploration visa, which allows entry without a sponsor to explore employment opportunities in the UAE. This visa is aimed at young graduates and skilled workers from globally ranked universities and occupations with high demand. 

Golden visa: Long-term residence with exclusive privileges 

The UAE’s Golden Visa program offers long-term residence permits, typically valid for five to ten years, without the need for sponsors. It is designed to attract high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals, and skilled researchers.  

There are multiple eligibility categories under the Golden Visa regime, each tailored to a specific profile of applicants. For investors in public investments, eligibility requires a minimum investment of AED 2 million (US$544,522) in UAE-based investment funds or companies, with supporting documentation of annual tax contributions of at least AED 250,000 (US$68,065). The investor must also demonstrate full ownership of the invested capital and possess valid health insurance coverage. 

In the case of real estate investors, applicants must own property in the UAE worth at least AED 2 million (US$544,522). The visa provisions are inclusive of mortgaged properties, provided the financing is conducted through approved local banks, as well as off-plan properties purchased from recognized and licensed developers within the UAE. 

Entrepreneurs can qualify for the Golden Visa if they own or are in partnership with a UAE-registered startup that generates a minimum of AED 1 million (US$272,261) in annual revenues. Alternatively, entrepreneurs who have previously exited a successful business valued at AED 7 million (US$1,905,827) or more also qualify for this category. 

For specialists and talented professionals, eligibility hinges on holding a valid employment contract in the UAE with a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000 (US$8,167). The applicant must also be classified under the first or second skill levels as per the MoHRE. This category targets experienced professionals in key fields such as healthcare, law, education, and engineering. 

The Golden Visa is also extended to students and academic researchers who demonstrate exceptional achievement. To qualify, individuals must have graduated from a UAE institution or one of the top 100 global universities, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and apply within two years of graduation. 

Applicants can use the “One Touch” service available through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP portal) to manage visa issuance, renewal, and associated Emirates ID processes in a unified digital experience. 

Virtual Work visa for remote work in UAE 

The Virtual Work visa targets remote workers, digital nomads, and overseas professionals wishing to reside in the UAE without employment from a local entity. 

Introduced in alignment with global digital work trends, the UAE’s Virtual Work visa allows foreigners employed outside the country to reside in the UAE while continuing remote employment. This one-year, renewable visa is issued under self-sponsorship and requires proof of remote employment from a foreign employer, a minimum monthly salary of US$3,500, valid passport (minimum six months validity), and health insurance coverage in the UAE. 

Applicants can apply directly online via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD). The application fee starts at US$101 for international applicants and US$334 for domestic applicants, excluding medical and insurance fees. This visa comes with some benefits like access to local utilities, banking, education, and zero personal income tax, making it attractive for global remote professionals. 

Standard work visa: Employer-sponsored employment 

For foreign nationals working in the UAE’s private, government, or free zone sectors, the standard employment visa remains the traditional route. These are typically issued for a two-year duration and require sponsorship from the employing entity. Applications must be initiated by the employer and processed through GDRFA for Dubai-based jobs or equivalent authorities in other Emirates. 

Investor/partner visa: Five-year residency for business participants 

The UAE also facilitates entry for investors and entrepreneurs under specific visa categories designed to support commercial exploration and establishment. The Green Visa for investors is now valid for five years and is applicable to those starting or participating in business ventures, provided they meet investment thresholds and obtain necessary regulatory approvals. The Business Entry Visa permits individuals to enter the UAE without a host or sponsor to explore investment opportunities. This visa is ideal for feasibility studies or preliminary market assessments.  

Documentation includes: 

• Proof of investment; 

• Approvals from the relevant economic department; and 

• Aggregate capital across licenses, where applicable. 

Family sponsorship: Eased rules for dependents 

In an effort to support dependent family, the UAE has extended sponsorship eligibility and benefits. Residents, including Green and Golden Visa holders, may sponsor their spouse and children, with the age limit for male children raised to 25 years and no age cap for unmarried daughters. Children with disabilities can be sponsored indefinitely. In case of the visa holder’s death, family members may stay in the UAE until the expiry of their current permits. 

Expanded entry options for business and talent attraction 

In addition to traditional employment and residency visas, the UAE has introduced a range of sponsor-free entry permits to attract specific categories of foreign nationals. These include: 

• Business Entry Visa: Designed for foreign investors and entrepreneurs who wish to explore potential commercial activities in the UAE. It requires no local sponsor and is valid for single or multiple entries based on business planning needs. 

• Job Exploration Visa: Available to fresh graduates from the world’s top 500 universities and professionals classified under the top three MoHRE skill levels. 

• Multi-entry Tourist Visa: This five-year visa allows foreign nationals to stay up to 90 consecutive days per visit, renewable for another 90 days, provided the applicant maintains a bank balance of US$4,000 or its equivalent for the preceding six months. 

In brief 

As the UAE expands its global competitiveness in tech, finance, and innovation, these visa regimes provide the structural foundation for sustainable, skilled, and long-term international engagement. 

(US$1 = AED 3.67) 

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