UAE Green Visa 2026: Eligibility, Benefits, Fees, and How to Apply

The UAE Green Visa is a five-year, self-sponsored residency for skilled workers, freelancers, and investors — no UAE employer sponsor required.

This 2026 guide covers eligibility, salary thresholds, fees, and how to apply.

What Is the UAE Green Visa?

The Green Visa is a long-term residency permit launched by the UAE government to attract global talent, investors, and skilled professionals. It offers a flexible, self-sponsored five-year alternative to the standard employer-sponsored work visa.

Unlike a standard UAE work visa, the Green Visa allows holders to live and work in the country without tying their status to a specific employer or sponsor.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) handle issuance.

It sits between the short-term work visa and the long-term UAE Golden Visa, offering self-sponsored residency for those who do not yet meet Golden Visa thresholds.

Benefits

Holders enjoy a renewable five-year residency with no employer or local guarantor. The permit also supports travel flexibility for residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Key benefits include:

• Five-year self-sponsored residency, renewable
• No need for a UAE employer or local sponsor
• Right to sponsor first-degree family members
• 180-day grace period after expiry or cancellation
• Higher age limit for sponsoring sons (up to 25)
• No age limit for sponsoring unmarried daughters

The longer grace period is particularly useful for residents arranging onward plans through Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on the applicant’s category. According to ICP, three groups qualify: skilled employees, freelancers or self-employed individuals, and investors or business partners.

Skilled Employees

Skilled workers must hold a valid UAE employment contract and meet the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) classification.

Requirements include:

• Valid UAE employment contract
• Occupational classification under skill levels 1, 2, or 3
• Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Monthly salary of at least AED 15,000

Freelancers and Self-Employed Individuals

This track suits independent professionals working in fields such as technology, design, content creation, and consulting.

Requirements include:

• Freelance or self-employment permit issued by MOHRE
• Bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma
• Annual income of at least AED 360,000 over the past two years, or proof of financial solvency

A separate UAE remote work visa remains available for shorter-term arrangements.

Investors and Business Partners

The investor track was extended from two to five years to encourage long-term commercial activity in the UAE.

Requirements include:

• Approval of the investment from competent local authorities
• Proof of investment or partnership in a UAE-licensed project
• Combined capital is calculated if the investor holds multiple licences

Required Documents

According to the GDRFA service page, all Green Visa applicants need a core set of documents, plus category-specific paperwork.

Core documents:

• Recent personal photograph (passport-style)
• Passport copy with at least six months’ validity
• Emirates ID copy (if already issued)
• Proof of paid government fees

Skilled employees should also submit:

• MOHRE-approved employment contract
• Attested bachelor’s degree certificate
• Recent salary certificate or pay slips

Freelancers and self-employed individuals should submit:

• MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit
• Bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma
• Proof of annual income or financial solvency

Investors and business partners should submit:

• Trade licence and partnership documents
• Proof of investment or capital deposit
• Approvals from the relevant local economic authority

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted online or in person. Choose the channel based on the emirate of residence — Dubai applications go through GDRFA, while other emirates use the ICP portal.

Online: Through ICP or GDRFA

Follow these steps to apply online:

• Visit the ICP smart services portal or the GDRFA website
• Log in using UAE Pass or your username
• Select the “Services” or “Entry Permits” section
• Choose “Issuance of Green Visa”
• Pick the relevant subcategory: skilled worker, freelancer, investor, or partner
• Fill in the application and upload the required documents
• Pay the service fee online
• Submit the application and wait for the SMS or email update

Offline: Through AMER Centres

Dubai residents can also apply in person at AMER Service Centres or Customer Happiness Centres. Steps:

• Visit the nearest AMER or Customer Happiness Centre
• Take an automated turn ticket and wait to be called
• Submit the application form and documents to the service agent
• Pay the service fee and collect the receipt

If documents are missing, applicants typically receive 30 days to complete the file before the application lapses.

Fees and Processing Time

According to the official GDRFA service page, the base fee is AED 200, plus 5% VAT. Standard processing takes around 48 hours once documents are accepted.

Additional charges apply if the applicant is sponsored from inside the UAE:

Final costs vary by emirate and the number of dependents added to the sponsorship.

Applicants outside the UAE can use a 60-day entry permit issued by GDRFA Dubai to come in and finalise the residency. Processing may take longer if documents are missing or extra verification is needed.

Family Sponsorship

Green Visa holders can sponsor first-degree relatives, including a spouse, sons up to age 25, and unmarried daughters with no age limit. Children with special needs are covered regardless of age.

The minimum sponsor salary is AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Family members receive a residence permit with the same validity as the main holder.

Booking flights to Dubai or hotels in Dubai for arriving family members is straightforward once the sponsorship is approved.

Grace Period

The Green Visa includes one of the most flexible grace periods in the UAE residency system. Holders and their dependents can stay up to 180 days (six months) after the visa expires or is cancelled.

During this period, holders can adjust status, renew the residency, or arrange departure without overstay fines. Failure to renew dependents’ visas in time may trigger overstay charges for the dependents.

For onward travel, compare options on the Wego flight tracker or browse hotels in Abu Dhabi while finalising plans.

Sources

1. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security — Green Residency
2. GDRFA Dubai — Green Visa for Skilled Workers
3. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai
4. ICP Smart Services Portal
5. U.AE — Residence Visas

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.