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The UAE Green visa is a 5 year renewable residence that you sponsor yourself. It has three routes: skilled employees earning at least AED 15,000 a month at MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3, freelancers and self-employed people with a MOHRE permit, and investors or partners in a UAE business. Holders keep a 180 day grace period after expiry or cancellation.
The three routes
| Route | Main requirement | Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled worker | AED 15,000 a month or more, skill level 1, 2 or 3 | Valid UAE employment contract, bachelor's degree or equivalent |
| Freelancer or self-employed | AED 360,000 self-employment income over two years, or financial solvency | MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit, bachelor's or specialised diploma |
| Investor or business partner | Investment in a UAE business | Investment proof and the business licences |
Sources: ICP Green residency page and GDRFA Green visa service pages, checked .
Skilled workers
You need a valid employment contract or work permit in the UAE, a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and a MOHRE skill level of 1, 2 or 3. MOHRE sets the levels by qualification: levels 1 and 2 need a bachelor's degree or higher, levels 3 and 4 a diploma or higher. Since the Green route also asks for a bachelor's, a diploma alone will not do. The salary floor is AED 15,000 a month.
Your employer still employs you, but the residence is yours. That is the real gain: if you change jobs, your residence does not depend on one company.
Freelancers and self-employed
The freelance route needs a MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit first. GDRFA's page then asks for a bachelor's degree or specialised diploma and self-employment income of not less than AED 360,000 for the two preceding years, or proof of financial solvency.
The income wording is unclear. It can be read as AED 360,000 in total over two years or per year. Ask GDRFA which applies before you rely on it. If your income falls short, the solvency option may still work.
If you are setting up as a freelancer from scratch, start with the permit. Our freelance visa guide covers the licence options and costs.
Investors and partners
ICP asks for proof of investment in a UAE business and the related licences. No minimum amount is stated on the ICP page, unlike the Golden visa investor routes, which start at AED 2,000,000.
Fees in Dubai
| GDRFA item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | AED 200 |
| Knowledge Dirham | AED 10 |
| Innovation Dirham | AED 10 |
| Delivery | AED 20 |
| Applying from inside the UAE | AED 500 |
| Each year over two years | AED 100 |
Source: GDRFA Green visa service page, checked .
Applying from inside the country, the base comes to AED 740 before the extra years. Because the Green visa runs 5 years, the AED 100 per year beyond the second year adds to that.
Other costs sit outside GDRFA:
- Medical fitness test, AED 270 for normal service, for everyone 18 and over. See the medical test guide.
- Emirates ID, AED 100 per year of residence plus a AED 100 smart fee, paid to ICP.
- Health insurance, priced by the insurer.
- Typing or Amer charges, if you do not file online yourself.
How long it takes
GDRFA lists 48 hours for its part once the file is complete. Add time for the medical result and the Emirates ID. You can apply online through GDRFA with UAE Pass or at an Amer center. Our list of Amer centers in Dubai shows where they are.
Grace period and family
The 180 day grace period is the longest in the system. ICP gives it to Golden, Green and Blue residence holders and their families. Compare that with 30 days for the general category, and you see why people who expect to move between jobs pick this visa. Our overstay fine guide shows how the grace periods compare.
ICP lists spouse and children as family members a Green holder can sponsor. The u.ae family visa rules add that Green visa holders may sponsor first-degree relatives. For the documents and salary rules on dependants, see the family visa page.
Green or Golden
| Green visa | Golden visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5 years | 10 years |
| Employee salary | AED 15,000 a month | AED 30,000 a month |
| Skill level | 1, 2 or 3 | 1 or 2 |
| Sponsor needed | No | No |
If your salary is near AED 30,000, the Golden visa gives twice the length.
Practical points
- Do not cancel your current residence first. Keep it until the Green permit is approved, so you are never without status. Ask GDRFA if your case is unusual.
- Get the degree ready early. A degree issued abroad may need attestation before it is accepted, and that can take weeks. See certificate attestation.
- Check your skill level. Ask your employer which MOHRE skill level your role is registered at. A level 4 or 5 role does not qualify, whatever the salary.
