A complete guide to the UAE Green Visa
The UAE Green Visa is a fresh take on long-term residency, giving professionals, investors and entrepreneurs more freedom and flexibility. Unlike traditional visas, it doesn’t require a local sponsor, meaning you can live, work and build your future in the UAE on your own terms. With perks like family sponsorship and longer stays, it’s an exciting option for those looking to make the UAE their home while growing their careers or businesses.
ALL ABOUT THE UAE GREEN VISA
In the past, expatriates needed to have a sponsor to stay and work in the UAE. But now, mandatory sponsorship from an employer will no longer be a hurdle for holders of a UAE Green Visa. It provides a 90 to 180-day window to renew documents rather than the usual 30-day limit. The new visa is one of the first 13 “UAE Projects of the 50.”
BENEFITS OF UAE GREEN VISA FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
The target base for the visa includes highly skilled individuals, investors and businessmen. The primary benefit of the UAE Green Visa is that successful applicants can get residence permits for their male children up to 25 years, while unmarried daughters have no age limit.
Moreover, regardless of age, children of determination (those with special needs) are also granted resident permits. Our guide to UAE family visas covers every aspect of these rules briefly.
The Green Residence holder can bring their first-degree relatives. Note that in all cases, the residency of family members shall be the same duration as the original residence holder. It’s a perfect solution for those looking to make a move with the whole family.
GREEN VISA UAE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The UAE Green Visa now comes with a 5-year residence track for skilled professionals, freelancers, investors and entrepreneurs. The new visa has more benefits for expats, including flexible grace periods (that reach up to six months).
The new and improved system of entry and residence aims to attract a talented workforce from around the world.
Here are the requirements for a UAE Green Visa in different categories.
GREEN RESIDENCE FOR SKILLED EMPLOYEES
This visa category is to attract talented individuals. The new track provides a 5-year residency for skilled employees without a sponsor or employer.
- Valid employment contract
- Applicants must be classified in the first, second and third occupational levels maintained by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is the minimum requirement for a UAE Green Visa for skilled employees.
- The salary of the applicant should not be less than AED 15,000
REQUIREMENTS FOR FREELANCING AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT
The new Green Visa for Freelancing and Self-employment is for those with a flexible work model. The biggest advantage of this type of visa is that you don’t need to require a sponsor or an employer.
The UAE Green Visa requirements for Freelancing and Self-employment are:
- Obtain a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- Minimum education should be a specialised diploma or a bachelor’s degree.
- The annual income from self-employment for the previous two years should not be less than AED 360,000.
- Alternatively, an applicant needs to provide financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.
However, to ensure the safety of professionals and freelancers, you have to observe the rules set by the government. Therefore, it is important to familiarise yourself with overstay fines in the UAE.
GREEN RESIDENCE FOR INVESTOR OR PARTNER
As the name suggests, the investor UAE Green Visa is suitable for potential investors. The track includes a 5-year residency for investors who establish a new firm or participate in commercial activities. The Investor or Partner Green Visa replaces the previous visa with a 2-year validity. The eligibility criteria for this visa are:
- Investment approval and proof of investment ( if the investor has more than one license)
- Total investment capital will be calculated
- Approval of the competent local authorities is mandatory
GREEN VISA APPLICATION
Applying for the UAE Green Visa is a straightforward process that can be done online via the GDRFA website or its smart application. Follow these steps to complete your application:
- Visit the GDRFA website or open the GDRFA app.
- Log in using UAE Pass or your username.
- Navigate to the “Service” section.
- Select “Entry Permits” and choose “Issuance of Green Visa.”
- Choose the appropriate visa category: skilled worker, investor, partner, or freelancer.
- Fill out the application form and upload the required documents.
- Make the payment for the service fee.
- Submit the application.
Once submitted, you’ll receive updates via text message or email. If any documents are missing, applicants have 30 days to provide them.
For those preferring an in-person process, the visa can be applied for at AMER Centres or the Customer Happiness Centre. Follow these steps:
- Visit the nearest Amer Service Centre or Customer Happiness Centre.
- Take a turn ticket and wait for your turn.
- Submit your application and required documents to the customer service representative.
- Make the payment for the service fee.
FAQS
WHAT IS ABU DHABI GREEN VISA?
The Abu Dhabi Green Visa allows you to sponsor sons up to the age of 25 and unmarried daughters, regardless of their age. The visa is valid for 5 years and offers a wide range of visa options for investors, partners, freelancers and professionals.
HOW CAN I GET A UAE GREEN VISA?
You’ll be able to determine your eligibility and ways to apply once the project has been entirely instigated.
ARE UAE ENTRY PERMITS AND UAE RESIDENCE VISAS THE SAME THING?
No, our article on the differences between Entry Permits and Residence Visas has all the details.
WHAT IS THE GREEN VISA UAE COST?
The total cost breakdown for the visa is:
- Work visa fee: AED 200
- In addition to the value-added tax (5%).
- Additional fees (if the sponsored person is inside the Country):
- Knowledge Dirham: AED 10
- Innovation Dirham: AED 10
- Fee inside the Country: AED 500
The total amount of the visa may vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the sponsored person or for other reasons that may require that.
HOW CAN I CANCEL MY RESIDENCE VISA IN THE UAE?
If an individual or a company sponsors you, they can cancel your residence visa in the UAE. However, if you want to initiate the process yourself, our guide covers all the important aspects.
That concludes our guide to the UAE Green Visa. We’ll update this article as more details are released. In the meantime, why not keep yourself updated with the new visa rules in the UAE.
While waiting for more information about the new visa, you can read about applying for the UAE visa or long-term golden visa. To promote the gig economy, the Dubai government has also started issuing visas to freelancers. Our guide to Dubai Freelancers Visas will assist you in finding out if you are eligible. Another option could be the UAE property investor residence visa.
Getting the dos and don’ts right can ensure that the whole process goes smoothly for you. You can also look up how to check UAE visa status online if you don’t have time to visit the official offices.
