UAE Green Visa: Requirements, Benefits and Application Steps

The UAE Green Visa is granted under Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2020 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners, which applies across all emirates and allows qualified investors, skilled professionals, freelancers and their families to obtain long-term residence without a local sponsor.

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ما هي الشروط الأساسية للحصول على التأشيرة الخضراء الإماراتية؟

To be eligible for the UAE Green Visa an applicant must fall into one of the qualified categories and satisfy the specific criteria set out in the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2020. Investors must demonstrate a minimum capital commitment of AED 10 million in a UAE-based project or possess total investments of at least AED 10 million across multiple sectors. Skilled professionals need a valid employment contract with a minimum monthly salary of AED 30 000, a bachelor's degree or higher, and relevant experience in a priority sector such as technology, healthcare, education or energy. Freelancers must provide proof of income from self-employment not less than AED 360 000 per year, hold a recognised professional licence or certification, and maintain a UAE-based bank account. Family members, including spouse and children under 18, may be included in the application provided they meet the health and security clearance requirements. All applicants must pass a medical fitness test and obtain a security clearance from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. The required documents include a valid passport, recent passport-size photographs, proof of qualification or investment, employment contract or freelance licence, bank statements covering the last six months, and a completed application form submitted through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship portal.

ما هي المزايا الرئيسية التي توفرها التأشيرة الخضراء للإقامة الطويلة؟

Holders of the UAE Green Visa receive a renewable residence permit valid for five years, which can be renewed without the need for a local sponsor or employer. The visa permits multiple entries and exits, allowing holders to travel freely while maintaining their UAE residency status. Unlike the standard employment visa, the Green Visa does not tie the holder to a specific job, giving investors and professionals the flexibility to change employment, launch new ventures, or pursue freelance work within the UAE. Holders are eligible to sponsor their immediate family members, including spouse, children and parents, under the same five-year residence period. The visa also grants access to public and private education facilities, healthcare services, and the ability to open bank accounts, obtain driving licences, and register vehicles in the holder's name. Additionally, Green Visa holders may apply for a UAE-issued tax residency certificate, which can be beneficial for individuals seeking to benefit from the UAE's double-taxation avoidance agreements. The residence permit does not impose a minimum stay requirement, meaning holders can spend extended periods abroad without losing their visa status, provided they renew the permit before expiry.

ما هي خطوات إعداد وتقديم ملف طلب التأشيرة الخضراء؟

The application process begins with an online submission via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) portal, where the applicant creates an account and selects the "Green Visa" service. First, the applicant uploads a scanned copy of the passport bio-page, a recent passport-size photograph with white background, and a copy of the Emirates ID if already held. Next, the relevant supporting documents are attached: for investors, a certificate of capital contribution or investment portfolio valuation issued by a recognised auditor; for skilled professionals, the attested employment contract, academic certificates, and experience letters; for freelancers, the freelance licence, audited annual income statements, and bank statements. All documents must be in Arabic or English; if in another language, a certified translation is required. After uploading, the system prompts the applicant to pay the prescribed fees, which currently consist of AED 3 000 for the visa issuance, AED 1 500 for the medical fitness test, and AED 1 000 for the Emirates ID issuance, payable via credit card or bank transfer. Once payment is confirmed, the application is forwarded to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs for security clearance, a step that typically takes five to ten working days. Upon approval, the applicant receives an electronic entry permit allowing travel to the UAE; upon arrival, the holder must complete the medical fitness test and biometric enrolment at an authorised centre to obtain the residence visa sticker on the passport and the Emirates ID card. The entire procedure, from submission to receipt of the residence visa, usually spans two to four weeks, depending on the completeness of the file and the speed of security checks.

ما هي التكاليف والرسوم المرتبطة بالحصول على التأشيرة الخضراء؟

The total cost of obtaining a UAE Green Visa comprises government fees, medical examination charges, and optional service fees if using an authorised typing centre or legal representative. The mandatory government fees include AED 3 000 for the visa issuance, AED 1 500 for the medical fitness test prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and AED 1 000 for the Emirates ID card issuance, bringing the base total to AED 5 500 per applicant. Additional costs may arise from document attestation, translation, and courier services, which vary according to the provider and the number of documents submitted. For applicants who engage a legal firm or a PRO service to manage the application, service charges typically range from AED 2 000 to AED 5 000, depending on the complexity of the case and the level of support required. It is important to note that the UAE government does not impose any hidden or recurring fees beyond the renewal cost, which mirrors the initial issuance fee of AED 3 000 every five years. Applicants should budget for the medical test, which is conducted at authorised health centres and may differ slightly in price between emirates, but the standard rate remains AED 1 500. All fees are payable in UAE dirhams and must be settled before the application proceeds to the security clearance stage.

كم من الوقت يستغرق تجديد التأشيرة الخضراء وما هي متطلباته؟

Renewal of the UAE Green Visa follows a similar procedure to the initial application and must be initiated before the current residence permit expires. The visa holder submits a renewal request through the ICA portal, providing a copy of the current passport, the existing Emirates ID, and a recent passport-size photograph. Supporting evidence of continued eligibility is required: investors must submit an updated investment certificate or audited financial statements showing the maintenance of the minimum AED 10 million threshold; skilled professionals need a valid employment contract meeting the salary criterion or proof of ongoing freelance income; freelancers must present audited annual income statements demonstrating the continued AED 360 000 yearly earnings threshold. A medical fitness test is again mandatory, and the associated fee of AED 1 500 must be paid. Security clearance is re-conducted, and upon approval, the holder pays the renewal issuance fee of AED 3 000 and receives a new five-year residence visa sticker and Emirates ID. The renewal process generally takes two to three weeks, assuming all documents are in order and no adverse security flags arise. Failure to renew before expiry results in the automatic cancellation of residence status, requiring the holder to exit the UAE and potentially face re-entry bans if overstay occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

ما هو الحد الأدنى للاستثمار المطلوب للتأهل للتأشيرة الخضراء كاستثمر؟
The minimum investment required for an investor to qualify for the UAE Green Visa is AED 10 million, either as a single project contribution or as the aggregate value of multiple investments, as stipulated in the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2020.

هل يمكن لحامل التأشيرة الخضراء العمل لدى أي صاحب عمل دون الحاجة لتغيير الكفيل؟
Yes, the Green Visa holder is not tied to a specific employer and may change jobs or engage in multiple professional activities without needing to alter the sponsorship, as the visa provides independent residence status under Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2020.

ما هي الوثائق المطلوبة لإثبات الدخل الحر للمستقلين المتقدمين للتأشيرة الخضراء؟
Freelancers must submit audited annual income statements showing earnings of not less than AED 360 000, a valid freelance licence issued by the relevant authority, and bank statements covering the last six months to demonstrate consistent cash flow, in accordance with the visa's eligibility criteria.

If your matter involves التأشيرة الخضراء الإمارات in the United Arab Emirates, you are welcome to request a consultation with Nour Attorneys. Our team can assess your position under the law currently in force and outline the options available to you. Request a consultation

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