Sub-service · Residence visas · Green

Green Visa in the UAE

The Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residency for skilled employees and freelancers/self-employed professionals. Like the Golden Visa, it removes the employer-as-sponsor dependency: holders sponsor themselves and their first-degree family, and can stay in the UAE between jobs without the 30-day grace scramble.

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Updated September 2026 · market data verified methodology

Validity: 5 years renewable, self-sponsored
Skilled track: AED 15,000+ monthly salary, bachelor's degree
Freelance track: Permit + income self-employed professionals
Family: First degree spouse, children, parents

UAE residence · general

Benefits and requirements of a UAE residence visa

Benefits

Legal UAE residency for the route's term — renewable while conditions hold
Family sponsorship: spouse, children and, on many routes, parents
0% personal income tax on salary and earnings
UAE bank account, credit cards and a local driving licence
Multiple entries with no travel restrictions while the visa is active
Access to insurance-based private healthcare and government centres

Requirements

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Medical insurance accepted in the UAE
Entry permit with a change of status, in country or abroad
Medical fitness test at a UAE health centre
Emirates ID registration with biometrics
Route-specific proof of eligibility and a clean immigration record

General rules for UAE residence visas — each route and emirate applies its own conditions, and this page covers this visa’s specifics below.

Process

How the investor visa process goes

Confirm eligibility
day 0

Skilled track needs the contract + degree + salary certificate; freelance track needs the MOHRE permit and income proof.
File the entry permit
1–5 days

Application through ICP with documents for the applicant and family members.
Change status, medical, biometrics
1–2 weeks

After entry (or in-country status change): medical insurance, medical test, Emirates ID biometrics.
Receive the Emirates ID
1–2 weeks

5-year residence stamped digitally; renewals follow the same evidence pack.

Typical package sequence in the snapshot: License registration → Establishment card → Investor visa → Corporate bank account (1,833 of 2,047 packages follow this order).

Zones

Where packages include the investor visa

Route	Who qualifies	Validity
Skilled employee	Valid employment contract, bachelor's degree or equivalent, salary of at least AED 15,000/month	5 years
Freelancer / self-employed	Freelance or self-employment permit from MOHRE, degree or specialised experience, annual income from AED 360,000	5 years
Family inclusion	Holder sponsors spouse, sons up to 25 (or unmarried), and parents	tied to holder

Programme rules as of 2026 — confirm current thresholds with ICP or the free zone before applying.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Green and Golden Visa?

Green is a 5-year self-sponsored visa with fixed salary/income thresholds; Golden is 10-year and investment- or talent-nominated. Golden includes support staff, Green covers first-degree family.

Can a freelancer get a Green Visa?

Yes — with a MOHRE freelance permit, a degree or specialised experience, and documented annual income from AED 360,000.

Does the Green Visa require an employer?

The skilled track requires a valid employment contract at filing, but the visa itself is self-sponsored — you can change jobs without losing residency.

Who can I sponsor?

Spouse, sons up to age 25 (unmarried students), unmarried daughters, and parents.

Freelance visa The permit-first alternative Golden visa The 10-year investment and talent track Employment visa The employer-sponsored standard

Planning an investor visa for your company?

We match the license package to your visa plan — quota, family sponsorship and bank account in one scope.